Lissadell House and Countess Markiewicz

Lissadell House in County Sligo was the childhood home of Countess Markiewicz, who became a Sinn Féin revolutionary nationalist and the first woman to be elected to the British House of Commons. Following her involvement in the 1916 Easter Uprising, she was sentenced to death but eventually served just one year in prison. Countess Markiewicz also fought actively for the Republican cause during the Irish Civil War and helped to defend Moran's Hotel in Dublin.

As the dramatist Séan O'Casey said of her: "One thing she had in abundance—-physical courage; with that she was clothed as with a garment".
Top photo: Annie

Drumcliffe

This magnificent swan graces the door of the church in Drumcliffe where the poet WB Yeats lies buried.

The rather Zen-like epitaph on his gravestone is taken from the last lines of "Under Ben Bulben", one of his final poems:
Cast a cold eye
On life, on death.
Horseman, pass by

Photo: Annie

Corraun Diary (11); The Afternoon the George Stayed Closed

In her diary entry of 17 March 2005, Pirate friend and neighbour Jane describes the evening that the George, the pub she was running with her husband Al, stayed closed for the afternoon. There was simply too much musical competition elsewhere: "No point in opening the bar until this evening so we went to Dookinella to watch the pipe bands."
Photo: Jane

Votive Offerings

Objects tied to a tree at Tobernalt Holy Well in Carraroe in County Sligo. The Well was also worshipped in pre-Christian times.
Photo: Annie

Just Stop and Admire the View

Climbing the Slievemore on Achill Island can be an arduous experience. The good thing is that the view becomes more magnificent with each step you take!
Photo: Annie

Stick to the Straight and Narrow!

An interesting bridge construction in North Mayo. While the wall on the one side is nicely reassuring, its absence on the other promises an iminent dunking!
Photo: Annie

Corraun Diary (10); Ju Ju Comes to Visit

Writing her diary in January 2005, our friend and neighbour Jane records the day that Ju Ju came visiting: "Ju Ju Anderson comes to visit. Her father, William Anderson was one of the gardeners at Corraun House. She has wonderful stories to tell about the gardens here. She is shocked at their decline and has very kindly brought some pictures taken in the 1920’s/1930’s for us. I’ve scanned the pictures and put them on the Currane web site (http://www.currane.net/aboutpages/pastpicspre50sjuju.html) for all to see. This makes me keen to try and save the gardens. It would be wonderful for them to be restored for the community to enjoy. I've tried several times to get some help/grant aid but failed. I feel motivated to try again."
Photo: courtesy of Ju Ju Anderson

The Mythical Badger

The garden here in Polranny is enormous, and includes a stretch of woodland where a badger is reputed to live. Not that anyone ever sees him...
Photos: Annie