Blog

The Swallow          Word on the Week          2nd September 2023. In my daily pre breakfast excursions with Tess the Pugaleer we have been accompanied by the melodic twitter of the swallows who are massing on the other side of the hawthorn hedge.  The latter has been allowed to grow an extra two feet as part of […]

Triathlon Tragedy                 Word on the Week            26th August 2023. The recent drowning of two participants who were competing in the triathlon in the sea off Youghal brought a sombre note to the event.  The Ironman competition, as the name suggests, requires extremes of physical fitness in those who compete.   It is a mixture […]

The 100,000 welcomes which Ireland is so famous for has suffered some reductions to its number in recent days!   It was brought to light when an elderly American tourist was randomly beaten up in Dublin city centre, receiving some life changing injuries. This was followed by three teenage boys being hospitalised after an incident in […]

Ode to Joy             Word on the Week                    12th August 2023. I have borrowed the title of Schiller’s poem to pay tribute to Joy Cantwell-Moore who went to be with her Lord and was buried this week.   During her life she radiated joy.   She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. […]

Fulmar – Wind Junkie                Word on the Week          5th August 2023. There is one bird for whom the yellow wind warning of the Met Office spells delight and that is the Fulmar.   A bird of sea and sky and cliff ledge nesting places where the one large white egg is incubated by both adults in […]

Sinéad O’Connor             Word on the Week                     29th July 2023. It was on Wednesday morning that the police found her body in her London flat.   Sinéad O’Connor, the icon of the Irish music scene, was no more.   A huge groundswell of appreciation has poured from the media which shows no signs of stopping. Songwriter, poet and […]

The Chosen                     Word on the Week                     22nd July 2023. It was Tony from The Shed who drew my attention to “this film on the life of Jesus”.   He added the thought that I would like it.   Sad to say the icon for The Chosen languished on my smartphone untouched till it disappeared from sight with […]

Restoring Nature             Word on the Week                              15th July 2023. Everyone agrees it is a good idea to restore nature.  The problems arise over the methods employed to the restoration.   These could have a negative impact on farm incomes.    Some farmers say a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush in opposition […]

House Martin                   Word on the Week                     8th July 2023. It happened again last Thursday.   The conditions were just right.   Humid, gentle rain and a gusting breeze.   The sky was leaden and the birds were hopping!    It was a Martins food fest like no other.   It lasted for ages! The wind was ensuring a constant supply […]