Day Tripping with Diane

20/01/2024

THE AUTOGRAPH TREE -

Irish dramatist Sean O' Casey is one of the initials on this famous tree in Coole, Co. Galway.

Seán O'Casey (1880-1964)

Seán O’Casey was born John Casey to a poor Protestant Dublin family on 30th March 1880. Despite ill health and an erratic formal education, he became one of Ireland’s best-known and controversial writers.
He joined the Gaelic League in 1906 (Drumcondra branch) writing for their journal and thereafter began signing his name as Seán O’Cathasaigh. A committed socialist, he was the first Irish playwright of note to write about the Dublin working classes.
Funding issues, the onset of World War I, and the Irish Rebellion of 1916 almost closed the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. However, Sean O’Casey’s works stimulated new life in the theatre, and from 1923 to 1926 three of his plays were a vital source of income.
The Shadow of a Gunman, was performed at the Abbey Theatre in 1923. The play deals with the impact of revolutionary politics on Dublin's slums and their inhabitants, and is understood to be set in Mountjoy Square, where he lived during the 1916 Easter Rising. It was followed by Juno and the Paycock (1924) and The Plough and the Stars (1926).
Lady Gregory first invited O’Casey to Coole in 1924. Theirs was an unusual friendship in many respects, due to their differences in beliefs and class. But the Arts can ignite a different and more genuine kind of normality, transcending these artificial distinctions. Lady Gregory taught him to distinguish between the various trees – ‘She marched along telling their names, the way an eager young nun would tell her beads.’ And he said of Lady Gregory - ‘her loves were books, which were nearest to her mind, and trees, which were nearest to her heart.’
While living in London, O’Casey was shocked by the rejection of his fourth play, ‘The Silver Tassie’, by the Abbey Theatre in 1928. He took the criticisms as a total censure of his play and made up his mind never to return to Ireland. Sadly, this also ended his relationship with Lady Gregory and he refused her offer of a visit when he and his wife Eileen had their first child. He lived to regret his decision, as he never laid eyes on her again and he realised he should have listened to his wife.
In 2021 Sean O’Casey’s great-granddaughter, Agnes O’Casey, made her acting debut in Coole Park performing in the Druid’s production of Thomas Kilroy’s adaptation of Chekov’s ‘The Seagull’. A fitting posthumous reconciliation of the O’Casey family, Theatre and the Arts with Coole.

06/01/2024

31/12/2023

Looking forward to a great 2024 travelling the highways and byways of Ireland. We have many traditions that is handed down from generation to generation. This is just one of them.

23/11/2023

Happy Thanksgiving to all my followers.

01/11/2023

23/09/2023

Cultural Night 2023

15/09/2023

It's Official Folks. Having spent last winter studying, I'm now a Registered Failte Ireland Tour Guide. Certification and Badge arrived today.

06/07/2023

Kiltimagh is the place where its all happening this weekend. A great line up for Coillte Come Home.

05/07/2023

Well worth a visit. Spend an afternoon strolling around in the tranquility of nature or attend one of the many events taking place here. Free entry, plenty of seating around the gardens. Cafe and toilets on site.

For more details of facilities and events visit
www.nationalbotanicgardens.ie

03/05/2023

Free entry today to Ionad Culturtha an Phiarsaigh, Ros Muc. I had a lovely experience here earlier in the year and have already written a review in a previous post.
Marking the anniversary of the ex*****on of Patrick H Pearse today.

03/05/2023

What day is today???? It's Free Wednesday. OPW offer free admission to selected OPW sites all over the country on the first Wednesday of every month. Check out the list of sites and locations in each County in the link below.

On the first Wednesday of each month, many OPW Heritage Sites offer Free Admission to independent/individual visitors and families. A list of participating sites appears

24/04/2023

On this day in 1916, Patrick Henry Pearse stood outside the G.P.O. in Dublin reading the proclamation declaring Ireland a republic. To mark this, I am featuring Patrick Pearses summer cottage in Ros Muc, Co. Galway. Patrick Pearse was much more than a revolutionary. He was also a writer, an educator, an advocate of the Irish language, a cultural nationalist, a son, a brother and a friend. A visit to Ionad Culturtha an Phiarsaigh in Ros Muc will give you the chance to immerse yourself in the interactive bilingual exhibits. Learn about local placenames, the landscape, culture and traditions. Visit the cottage where Patrick Pearse wrote some of his most famous works.

22/04/2023

The Battle of Aughrim 1691, the bloodiest battle in Irish history was fought at Aughrim, Co. Galway. The Williamite (loyal to William 111) army comprised of Dutch, Danish, German, English, Scottish and protestant Irish was opposed by the Jacobite (loyal to James 11) army of Irish catholics. Both forces were about 20,000 strong. The combined casualties of both armies were about a quarter of the troops involved.

The defeat at Aughrim broke the Irish resistance and made inevitable the Jacobite capitulation at Limerick which ended the war the following October. The Battle for Irish freedom continued...........

13/04/2023

Celebrating my 1st year Day Tripping with Diane. Lots of content still to be uploaded. Having spent the winter studying, road trips and walking trips, Day Tripping with Diane will shortly begin to take bookings for walking tours of Galway City, The City of the Tribes. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

13/04/2023

Irish Music is an intergal part of our culture. Irish song tells us a story of our history and times gone by. We have many amazing ballad singers. One such singer is Dan Mc Cabe. Here he sings "Grace" which tells us the story of Joseph Mary Plunketts marriage to Grace Gifford while he awaited ex*****on by the British crown forces for his part in the 1916 Rising to gain freedom for our country. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

31/03/2023

Not only has Kilfenora it's own medieval Cathedral but can also claim the Pope as its Bishop.

Built in 1058 on the site if St. Fachnan's 6th century monastery. The roofed part is now used for occasional Church of Ireland services.

The Cathedral is of architectural interest and contains some fine carvings. Kilfenora is also known as "The City of the Seven Crosses" with some fine examples of high crosses including the famed "Doorty Cross".

All pictures on my page are my own, taken myself while doing research for my Failte Ireland Tour Guide Qualification.

28/03/2023

With Summer Time officially here on the clocks, it's time to take advantage of the stretch in the evenings. Why not head off to explore the lunar landscape of the Burren in Co. Clare. Situated on the Wild Atlantic Way, Lehinch promises not to disappoint. It was on location here that the TV thriller drama series "Smother" was filmed. Produced by BBC studios for RTE, it premiered on 7 March 2021. Val Ahern a devoted mother determined to protect her family at any cost.
Of course Lehinch is home to the best surf on this island and for those golf enthusiasts among us, Lehinch is home to one of the best golf courses on the island.

03/02/2023

Day Tripping with Diane has been very busy behind the scenes during the winter months. The winter has been spent upskilling, learning and gaining my official Tour Guiding Qualification. More on this again.

I wanted to let you know of a fantastic opportunity to learn basic Irish language and song this March. All details are in the pictures and link. As you know, I only post my own personal experiences to recommend on here. Colette Mc Devitt, the course facilitator is a personal friend of mine, hence I can guarantee plenty of fun and friendship as you learn the Irish language and songs.

http://www.oideasgael.ie/en/singing/

24/08/2022

The Churchill Forge outlines in great detail the skills and traditions in the life and times of the blacksmith.

Spa-Fenit Community Council just outside Tralee in Co. Kerry keep the Forge Fires burning. The forge dates back to 1842.

The museum and workshop consist of 20 visually stimulating panels which supplement the display of restored equipment and tools in the Forge workshop.

I really enjoyed this little find. I could visualise the blacksmith at his work and could not help thinking how much life has changed and wondered how life will continue to change into the future.

17/08/2022

If you are looking for an oasis of tranquility, coupled with exceptional customer service and excellent food, look no further than Ballyroe Heights Hotel which is situated just 4km outside Tralee in Co. Kerry.

From the moment I made my reservation until the time I left, I found every member of staff very friendly and professional. The receptionists Steff and Jennifer were particularly helpful and friendly. Gavin and team were excellent in the dining room at breakfast.

The hotel is set in six and a half acres of sloping gardens with spectacular views of the Slieve Mish Mountains and Tralee Bay.

The bed was super comfortable and my overall experience was one of wanting to return. Such was my experience here that I have already booked a return trip.

For more information visit

www.ballyroe.com

17/08/2022

As you all know, I love to find hidden gems on my day tripping. One such discovery resulted in a lovely encounter with Mary in Fenit who makes her own soya candles and soap.

Some of her stable scents are Plum and Rhubarb, Wild Lemongrass, Lavender, Juniper Whiskey and Angel Wings.

I bought the Orange and Chilli along with the Wild Lemongrass which will remind me of my lovely trip to her shop where Mary makes the candles on site.

I was delighted to support small Irish start up business while on my travels. I recommend that you call in on your travels.

For more information e-mail [email protected]

15/08/2022

Belvedere House Gardens and Park is a magnificent 160 acre Lakeside Estate with fully restored Georgian Villa, Victoria Walled Garden with Romantic follies including the largest in Ireland the Jealous Wall.

I was greeted at reception by the friendly and helpful Angela. Angela gave me a map of the estate and an audio guide. I found the audio guide very interesting as I moved about. It gave me information about the 20 stops. This guide meant that I could stroll around at my leisure and take breaks at the many seated areas around the estate.

I particularly enjoyed the view of nearby Lough Ennell from the steps of the house itself. There is also a Fairy Garden at the bottom of the Walled Garden.

The Cafe in The Courtyard provided much needed refreshments after my time exploring this wonderful estate. There are many different trails to follow depending upon your energy levels.

I would highly recommend a visit here. I found the story of The Jealous Wall of particular interest.

For more information visit

www.belvedere-house.ie

10/08/2022

If you are looking for an exciting themed restaurant in the Clonmel area a visit to is a must. I was like a child who had just discovered Aladdins Cave when I entered.

A licensed cafe serving breakfasts, lunches, sandwiches, cakes, bakes, ice-cream, beers, wines and cocktails.

As you can see, there are dedicated Jungle Harry Potter, Alice In Wonderland and Music areas.

The food was great and the service was exceptional. I really enjoyed my visit.