My somewhat quirky views as I gaze at the world around me!

Posts tagged ‘Atlantic Ocean’

MONDAY’S MAGICAL MOMENT: INIS MOR, ARAN ISLANDS

STONE WALLS, INIS MOR

Anywhere you travel in Ireland, you’ll see mile after mile of stone walls.  These were constructed to serve 3 purposes:  marking of property boundaries, shelter for animals in bad weather and, finally, to get rid of stones in the fields.  These are  always built without mortar and with small openings which allows the wind to blow through rather than knocking the wall down.

Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands, lies off the west coast of Ireland, is part of County Galway and measures 8 miles long by 2 miles wide (13 km x 3 km).  There are more than 7000 MILES of stone walls on the island!

Copyright 2013                         Mary Jane E Clark

 

MONDAY’S MAGICAL MOMENT: BEARA PENINSULA

BEARA PENINSULA

Down in the southwest corner of Ireland, you’ll find craggy shores, numerous bays and inlets, mountains and three famous peninsulas…….the Dingle, the Iveragh (which includes the Ring of Kerry) and the Beara.  The Beara, or Bere, is the least known, least visited and, I think, the most beautiful.  This photo was taken near Garnish Point in County Cork.

Copyright 2013                Mary Jane E Clark

MONDAY’S MAGICAL MOMENT: GALWAY BAY

GALWAY BAY

So many of Ireland’s well-known towns and cities are located along the coast of the island.  Galway, on the Atlantic Ocean, has even had a very lovely song written about Galway Bay, pictured above.  It is a very lively place with great music, culture and craic (fun)!

Copyright 2013                Mary Jane E Clark

MONDAY’S MAGICAL MOMENT: BANNA STRAND, CO. KERRY

BANNA STRAND, CO. KERRY

Banna Strand, on Tralee Bay in County Kerry, Ireland, is where the Irish patriot Sir Roger Casement was landed by submarine on April 21, 1916.  He had been promised 20,000 rifles by the German government to assist in what became known as The Easter Uprising.  Sadly, he was captured by the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the rifles were sunk offshore Cobh, in County Cork when the Aud Norge was scuttled after her capture.   Although the 1916 Uprising was not successful, the execution of its leaders by the British outraged the Irish and so garnered support for the rebels.  Irish Independence was declared in 1922.

 

MONDAY’S MAGICAL MOMENT: SKY ROAD, CLIFDEN, CO. GALWAY

CONNEMARA CASTLE

I’m sure this castle has a name but I don’t know it.  It’s located off the Sky Road, outside Clifden, in County Galway, Ireland.  This image is just so quintessentially Irish……castle ruins, relentless ivy covering it, emerald fields, stone walls, gentle mountains, the Atlantic Ocean…..it has it all!

Copyright 2012      Mary Jane E Clark

MONDAY’S MAGICAL MOMENT: SILENT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CO. DOWN

This view of the Silent Valley Reservoir is so very typical of Ireland….bursts of brilliant sunshine through the dark clouds.  The Silent Valley is deep  within the Mourne Mountains in County Down and the valley itself can only be reached on foot.  The reservoir was created in 1933 when the Kilkeel River was dammed.  The “infinity pool” effect intrigued me.  The view is looking to the south and the Atlantic Ocean.

Remember, you can click on the image to enlarge or on the highlighted words for more information.

Copyright 2012       Mary Jane E Clark

MONDAY’S MAGICAL MOMENT: BEARA PENINSULA, CO. CORK

Garnish Bay is on the Beara Peninsula in southwest Ireland.  Although the Beara Peninsula is not as well known as the nearby Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula, it is equally stunning.  Counties Cork and Kerry each claim part of it, with Garnish Point  being part of Cork.  The 15 minute drive down the rutted, one-lane, winding  track to this dead-end was absolutely worthwhile.  (Click on image to enlarge)

Copyright 2012     Mary Jane E Clark

MONDAY’S MAGICAL MOMENT: BUNGLAS SEA CLIFFS, CO. DONEGAL

These cliffs, at 1972 feet, are thought to be the highest sea cliffs in Europe!  The views from up there were absolutely stunning.  Much better known are the Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare, but they’re only 700 feet high.  I think the inaccessibility of these inhibits their popularity but they have certainly become a favorite of mine.

COPYRIGHT  2012        MARY JANE E CLARK

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