Pirate Peti writes: "Hank was responsible for the Hanukkah candles, José for the Christmas lights and I read the Koran."
Photo: Peti
zaterdag 31 december 2011
Enlightened Christmas
Pirate Peti writes: "Hank was responsible for the Hanukkah candles, José for the Christmas lights and I read the Koran."
Photo: Peti
zaterdag 24 december 2011
Pirate Dog
Spot the Dog has been our guest for the past four weeks. Like all our visitors, he came with a strict schedule of activities, which he followed with unwavering devotion. Each morning, he would work on his fitness by racing around the garden while in the afternoon he would concentrate on stamina and strength by dragging Pirate Peti on endless walks along the Greenway. But even small dogs get tired sometimes and Spot spent his evenings lying in front of the TV watching... football!
Photo: Peti
zaterdag 17 december 2011
Interesting Combo
Ireland is full of interesting combinations: in this case: a farm building, an ancient monument and a flock of birds.
Photo: Riny
zaterdag 10 december 2011
The Neighbours
This is where Pirate friends Jane and Al live.
It gets quite exciting when there's a storm and you're huddled up in the living room!!
Photo: Profoundly Superficial
zaterdag 3 december 2011
Mystery Surrounds Achill Island's Stonehenge Project
A massive Stonehenge-esque structure appeared on an Achill hilltop last weekend. The man behind the clandestine project, the purpose of which remains unclear, is Achill native Joe McNamara, also known as ‘The Anglo Avenger’. The structure – dubbed Achill-henge – was built without planning permission. Towering nearly 15 feet from its base, it is 30 metres in diameter and has a circumference of close to 100 metres. It is believed that the project is based on Stonehenge in more than just appearance. Reportedly it has also been built to sync with sunrise on the summer and winter solstices and March and September equinoxes.
Photo: Michael McLaughlin. Click here for more information about Achill-henge and the Anglo Avenger.
zaterdag 26 november 2011
Submerged Treasure
A shattered Byzantine mosaic half-submerged in the warm waters of the Eastern Mediterranean? Or the ocean bed off the coast of County Mayo on a silky soft summer's day?
Photo: Profoundly Superficial
zaterdag 19 november 2011
zaterdag 12 november 2011
zaterdag 5 november 2011
A Poem for the Pirates
The Pirates' guests often leave momentos of their visit, which are always much appreciated. This time, Huib Fens wrote a poem in our honour while his colleague Nico contributed a delightful drawing. Many thanks to both of them!
zaterdag 29 oktober 2011
zaterdag 22 oktober 2011
Tree from the Dawn of Time
Almost 5,000 years ago, this scots pine was part of a mighty forest in Stone Age Ireland. Then it tumbled over and was preserved to this day by the local peat bog. I love its swirling ripples. They make you want to stroke it, which of course I did.
Photo: Profoundly Superficial
zaterdag 15 oktober 2011
Suviving the Storm
Instead of curling up in the safety of his nice warm burrow,this bedraggled bunny ventured out into the storm in search of food. He spent at least an hour solemnly munching his grass in the pouring rain before lolloping off back home again.
Photo: © Profoundly Superficial, Ireland
zaterdag 8 oktober 2011
zaterdag 1 oktober 2011
Hunger Road
This stunningly beautiful road alongside Killary Fjord was built in the 1840s. It was part of a project to create work for people who would have otherwise starved during the Great Hunger. They received food as payment.
Photo: © Profoundly Superficial
zaterdag 24 september 2011
Manic Weather
In Ireland it alternates between pouring rain and bright sunshine. Sometimes the weather gets really manic and does both things at the same time.
Photo: © Profoundly Superficial
zaterdag 17 september 2011
zaterdag 10 september 2011
zaterdag 3 september 2011
zaterdag 27 augustus 2011
Divine Intervention?
Dramatic light effects are not at all uncommon in this part of Ireland.
Photo: Hank and Josée
zaterdag 20 augustus 2011
New Shoots in the Undergrowth
With fallen leaves providing a nutritious mulch, the garden provides a fertile paradise for a vast variety of plants.
Photo: Riny
zaterdag 13 augustus 2011
Apocalyptic Scenes
... are the order of the day in Ireland. They say that the weather changes once every 15 minutes. And it is often dramatic!
Photo: Riny
zaterdag 6 augustus 2011
zaterdag 30 juli 2011
A Beautiful Sight
Kindling for the fireplace in the living room. Beautifully stacked up and ready to burn!
Photo: Riny
zaterdag 23 juli 2011
Artistic Sheep
Even the sheep know how to pose artistically in front of a spectacular Irish landscape!
Photo: Riny Meijer
zaterdag 16 juli 2011
The Drive
With its elegant tunnel of trees, the drive is one of the most painted and photographed parts of the grounds. It marks the beginning of countless adventures and also the final farewell as you leave to return home.
Painting: Reina Keislair
zaterdag 9 juli 2011
Dugort Beach
The area around the house in Polranny is full of dramatic countryside and scenic views that are ideal for landscape artists. Some locations are within walking distance while others can be easily reached by bike or car. This watercolour of Dugort, a sleepy harbour village, was painted by Reina Keislair, who was a recent guest.
zaterdag 2 juli 2011
The Continuing Online Exhibition...
... of work by Pirate guest and artist Reina Keislair. This time we're featuring a watercolour of some handsome local cows.
zaterdag 25 juni 2011
Views from the Kitchen Window
The little white house belongs to our friend and neighbour Mrs Masterson.
Paintings: Reina Keislair
zaterdag 18 juni 2011
zaterdag 11 juni 2011
The House Immortalised...
... in this stunning water-colour painting by artist and Polranny guest Reina Keislair.
zaterdag 4 juni 2011
zaterdag 28 mei 2011
Just Another Day at the Office?
Artist Reina Keislair hard at work during her recent visit to the house in Polranny.
zaterdag 21 mei 2011
zaterdag 7 mei 2011
Rugged Coastline
Sunny or stormy, Pirate guest and artist Monique Besten gets to grips with Mayo's rugged coastline.
Photo: Monique Besten
zaterdag 30 april 2011
zaterdag 23 april 2011
zaterdag 16 april 2011
On Looking and Landscapes
Monique Besten, our most recent guest, writes about her visit to Polranny in her blog:"The Giant* and I went on a trip along the Atlantic Ocean today. We did well together, steep hills, amazing cliffs, sheep staring at us wherever we went. The sheep reminded me of something I read just before I went to sleep last night: 'The eyes of an animal when they consider a man are attentive and wary. The same animal may well look at other species in the same way. He does not reserve a special look for man. But by no other species except man will the animal’s look be recognised as familiar. Other animals are held by the look. Man becomes aware of himself returning the look.' John Berger, About Looking (p. 4/5)."
* Giant = the brand of her bike
Photo: Monique
zaterdag 9 april 2011
Over Hill and Dale
The Irish landscape is always changing and always unpredictable. So you will just have to climb to the top of the next hill to see what you will see.
Photo: Hank and Josée
zaterdag 26 maart 2011
Life's A Journey...
... is the thought behind this bench placed alongside the cycle path that links Achill with Newport.
Photo: Hank and Josée
zaterdag 19 maart 2011
Well Done, Charlie!
(The invitation can be enlarged by clicking it)
Charlie Tyrrell, whose mother and grandparents lived at the house in Polranny, is having a major exhibition of his works on canvas and aluminium. The show will be held at the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan, County Meath, from 24 March to 6 May. It then moves to the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork where it can be seen between 13 May and 2 July.
zaterdag 12 maart 2011
Icicles
A row of vicious-looking icicles framed this wintery view of the back garden a few months back. Fortunately spring has now sprung and Monique Besten, the first of the year's guests, will be arriving shortly. Before coming over to Polranny, she will be working on an artwork in Dublin. You can follow her progress on her blog.
zaterdag 5 maart 2011
Astonishing Colours...
... and typically Irish. Photographed on the cycle path that runs through breathtakingly beautiful landscapes between Achill Island and Newport.
Photo: Hank and Josée
zaterdag 26 februari 2011
Ewe Can't Get Lost Here!
Friendly local sheep just waiting to point visitors in the right direction on the old train track from Achill to Newport, which is now used for walking and cycling.
Photo: Hank & Josée
zaterdag 19 februari 2011
Optimism...
... is hoping that the warmer weather will last and not turn Arctic again!
Photo: Hank Kune
zaterdag 12 februari 2011
zaterdag 5 februari 2011
Creative Inspiration
One of the many lakes hidden amongst the hills and mountains near the house in Polranny, and an artwork by Henk de Lange, a recent visitor.
Photo: Henk de Lange
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