Simple But Effective

The essential details of the bathroom door...
Photo: Annie

Land of the Giants

This may look like some slightly weather-beaten sculpture installation; in fact it's part of the extraordinary rock formations of the Giants Causeway in Country Antrim. The official explanation has something to do with volcanic activity during the Paleogene period. But personally I prefer the stuff of legends and that Irish warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) built the causeway to walk to Scotland to fight his Scottish counterpart Benandonner.
Photo: Annie

Corraun Diary (13) Checking the Takings

Despite the uncertain future of their pub, Pirate friends and neighbours Jane and Al are determined to look on the bright side, as Jane writes in her diary entry of 29 July 2005: "The Currane Yawl Race takes place at the front of our property over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Bar takings for last night, the Thursday before the August Bank Holiday, were €153. The same night last year it was €420 and the year before it was €2919! Of course the reason for the huge takings on the equivalent day in 2003 was the opening of the Currane Failte Abaile (Welcome Home festival). We moved our bar license to the community centre for that event. You have to go to court to do that, so there were legal fees to pay not to mention the large number of staff we had to employ for the occasion.

There was, however, a play in the community centre and a golf event in the Compass last night so hopefully things will improve over the rest of the bank holiday.
Photo: Jane

Irish Weather

In Ireland, they say that the weather changes every 15 minutes...
Photo: Annie

In the North, Even the Creches Can Be Sectarian

This photograph was taken in Derry's Waterside, a Loyalist district.

Click for the full picture.

Photo: Annie

Corraun Diary (12) What to Do Next?

In her diary entry of 21st July 2005, Pirate friend and neighbour Jane had some tough issues to consider regarding The George, the pub she was running with her husband Al: "Long discussion with Al today regarding the future of the bar. This year's business is 20% down on last year, which was 20% down on the year before. We have heard that all bars in Ireland are having similar problems. We have always maintained that we will do everything we can to keep the bar open but that was assuming that it would cover its costs. We are getting very close to it costing us money we don't have. In September, our insurance money is due - approx. 6,000 Euro. If August does not go well and we don't have the money we will have to break into our emergency money. I think we'll probably do this and give it another year but we have to face the fact that any serious business person would say it would be better not to pay the insurance and close the bar. We both really hope it doesn't come to this."

Photo of happy days in the bar: Jane

Irish Wolf Hound

These gentle giants may have arrived in Ireland as early as 3500 BC with the first settlers, who bred them as war dogs. On average, they are the tallest dogs in the world and are known to be unconditionally loyal to their owners. Sadly they only live for between five and ten years.

This beauty is the lordly canine at Lissadell House (see the entry below).

Photo: Annie