Lush Irish livestock

Along the byways of Ireland, jaded city dwellers can feast their eyes on field after field of lovely livestock.

Left, a sheep relaxes near the Rock of Cashel.

Right, donkeys graze in a lush green field.

Below, cattle graze at Clonmacnoise and on a Portlaoise Farm.  Bottom right, sign points the way to a stud farm for horse breeders.
 

Mount Cashel, seat of ancient Irish kings

The Rock of Cashel is the seat of the ancient Irish Kings. This is where, in 990 CE, Brian Boru was crowned High King. That fact and other history and make Mount Cashel an important tourist destination.

The round-towered St. Patrick's Cathedral dominates the hill, giving a wide view over County Tipperary. The roofless church is now under repair, as the picture shows. The details below show a roosting pigeon and an elaborate tomb with a view.

 

A detail of Cormac's Chapel, with its wooden ceiling beams and artistic decor, is seen below.


 This wide view from the walled hill reveals an angry sky.

 

Improvements to Emo Court trails

Emo Court has wonderful walking trails on both sides of the lake. The side closest to the house, of course, contains the formal gardens, with statues, lawns, rhododendrons, camellias and many huge and beautiful trees: oaks, elms and beeches among others.

Right, Jackie, my Irish healer friend, communes with an ancient tree.

 The lake is filled with ducks and swans and adorned with reeds and waterlilies.


A small wooden bridge crosses to a natural woodland where a lot of work is currently being done to clear the trails and forest floor of dead and fallen trees. Below one cut tree waits to be carried off, one resembles a question mark and another displays its gorgeous sunlit canopy.

Ancient oak at Emo Court

Emo Court contains some of the oldest trees in Ireland

The magnificent neo-classical house was designed for the Earls of Portarlington. The enormous gardens, woodlands and lake were laid out in the 18th century.

A private residence until 1994, this property is now managed by Heritage Ireland. The house, still furnished, can be seen by appointment. There is a tea room on site.

Emo Court Gardens

Emo Court house seen from across the lake and a part of the extensive formal gardens. 

In 1790, this magnificent neo-classical home was designed for the Earls of Portarlington. In the 18th century, the enormous gardens, woodlands and lake were laid out.

A private residence until 1994, this property is now managed by Heritage Ireland. The house, still furnished, can be seen by appointment, and there is a tea room on site.

Key to the ancient past?

Beneath a jewel-blue sky, this strange stone shape shows where a building existed in earlier times.

The site is Clonmacnoise on the River Shannon. Occupied since at least the sixth century and frequently sacked, this fascinating centre of Irish heritage is located in County Offaly in the midlands.

Perhaps the remains visible in these pictures are related to the recently discovered Clonmacnoise bridge, built across the broad and shallow Shannon in the 8th century CE.

 

Magic of Clonmacnoise III

The Celtic Cross is a common symbol that dates back to prehistory. With roots in the ancient past, it also became important in early Irish Christianity.

The Celtic cross combines the traditional form of the cross with the circle, which was an early symbol of the sun.

According to Edward G. Seller, when the Irish Celts were first Christianized, they used this prayer:

Circle me, Lord; keep fear without, keep joy within.
Circle me, Lord; keep complaining without, keep peace within.
Circle me, Lord; keep despair without, keep beauty within.
Circle me, Lord; keep deceit without, keep mercy within.

Sadly, the inscriptions on most of the large Celtic crosses at Clonmacnoise have eroded and been overgrown by lichen. Most are unreadable.