Karen O'Leary Tourist Guide

23/04/2024

A stroll by the Giant Palm House in Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.

With a Los Angelos filter.

22/04/2024

Yellow- yes yellow- magnolias at . Framing one of the pleasant paths that abound in the estate.

And of course, rhododendron and fritillaries.

12/04/2024

Interesting shop fronts in Cahersiveen.

Excellent homemade scones and coffee at .

Opposite the only church named after a layman in Ireland.

01/04/2024

Where was I?

27/03/2024

Pádraic ÓConaire sitting in Eyre Square with the Quincentennial Fountain in the background.

Vandals stole the head of the original limestone statue of Pádraic. It was found. The perpetrators were brought to court. The judge likened the theft of the head to the removal of the Mona Lisa in Paris.

Note the dandelion.

26/03/2024

In memory of Imogen Stuart who passed away yesterday.

A lady, born in Germany and made Ireland her home.

An amazing sculptor with many of her works found in ecclesiastical settings.

St Killian sailing to Europe, from the recent exhibition at Dublin Castle.

25/03/2024

Flutes and fiddles everywhere.
If it's music you want,
You should go to Clare.

Lyrics from the famed Christy Moore song Lisdoonvarna.

This lovely image adorns a shed in Kilfenora opposite the Burren Centre.

13/03/2024

This will be good to watch.

Catch this Arena programme on RTE Player and look out for documentary on Oireachtas TV on March 22nd at 6pm and 24th 9pm

08/03/2024

I celebrated World Book Day by attending the book club in . Great, wide ranging chat about books over a cup of tea.

Looking forward to next meeting 1st Thursday of the month, when we will discuss Emma Donoghue's Learned by Heart.

25/02/2024

In which Wexford Town did I find these interesting place names?

The Irish names are

An abhainn dubh - the black river
Buaile Mhaodhóg - the summer pasture (of) Mhaodhóg ( what does this mean?)
Cnoc Fiodh na gCaor - Hill of the wood of the berries. So hill is used twice in the anglicisation.

I could find plenty on the meaning of the great rebel song Boolavogue, but no full explanation of the name itself.

Brian Friel in his great play Translations highlights how much information and misunderstanding arises out of the anglicisation of our place names.

More recently John Creedon had an interesting series on the place-names in Ireland.

#1798

13/02/2024

The one and only Kilmakeadar.

Fascinating and peaceful.

**le **le

06/02/2024

Spring has sprung.

The Celts were right.

Spring, or Imbolc, begins on the first of February in the Celtic calendar of seasons.

So here is the first rose - the primrose. Not a native one, but beautiful nonetheless.

29/01/2024

Two well known characters in Eyre Square.

The teenage Herring gull showing little respect for Paràic OConaire.

Paráic is one of the first Irish modernist writers. He is renowned for his 400 or so short stories written in Irish.

Herring gulls are known for being a nuisance.

27/01/2024

Wonderful warm colours from . Not a space reference in sight.👩‍🚀
Definitely cheers up a grey day in .ie . ☘🇮🇪

Or go indoors to enjoy . 🪕🎵

Food recommendation - the special in - crayfish and linguini today. Yum yum.🍝

🍀🇮🇪

20/01/2024

A brilliant ad and a brilliant product. As to be expected from Guinness.

07/01/2024

Another fab sunset!

🚶🏿‍♂️🚶‍♀️

06/01/2024

A nice change from the rain.

I am so lucky that this is less than 15 minutes walk away from my house.

Happy Nollaig na mBan.

🚶🏿‍♂️🚶‍♀️

05/01/2024

Sunshine through frosted windscreen at 930 this morning.

04/01/2024

Hazel catkins. Out early. A sign of the recent mild weather.

Hazel catkins usually emerge late January or February.

These are the male part. The female is a lovely red bud, which when pollinated becomes the hazelnut.

Hazel trees are one of the noble trees, according to Celtic lore. They carry wisdom, and imparted it to the Salmon of Knowledge, who in turn passed it on to Finn McCool.

🚶🏿‍♂️🚶‍♀️ ❄️

03/01/2024

Dodging winter showers again.

Worth it for the dramatic skies - never mind the clear air and exercise.

Brave swimmer - as always. Do you see him?

🚶🏿‍♂️🚶‍♀️

01/01/2024

New Year's Resolution.

These two ladies are to be admired heading out for a swim on New Year's Day.

Such resolution!

30/12/2023

Merry Christmas from Moate.

I love these two farmers striking a deal.

26/12/2023

Love at Newtown Smith on Scotsmans Bay.

24/12/2023

Merry Christmas to ewe all.

Thank you and .

07/12/2023

Savage beauty.

Connemara

05/12/2023

Sunset, as seen from Tobar Éanna.

Tom Kenny has written a wonderful piece on the tradition of holy Wells and on this holy well in particular.

https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/131150/tobar-anna-st-endas-well-barna-woods

26/11/2023

There is a vibrant guiding community in Galway along the cool Wild Atlantic Way, to help you make the most out of your holiday in the West of Ireland.

Congratulations and thank you to all outgoing and incoming officers.

26/11/2023

Dublin is renowned for its colourful Georgian doors.

This is something special.

25/11/2023

Moor hens and mallard drake at Honey Park, Dun Laoghaire.

What a lovely place to live.