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

In Ireland...


...always to take a dog with you. You'll have much more fun!

Photo: ©Profoundly Superficial

zaterdag 12 november 2011

The Holy Family...


...spotted in a shop window in Derry, Northern Ireland.

Photo: Profoundly Superficial

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

Autumn trim


The front lawn has just been mowed for one last time before winter.

Photo: Mike Wilson

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

Artwork


In Ireland, even the wall of a barn can take the form of an artwork.

Photo: © Profoundly Superficial

zaterdag 10 september 2011

Floating World


Seaweed in Killary Fjord in beautiful Connemara.

Photo: Profoundly Superficial

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

Wonky Gravestones


Maybe the occupants of the graves are continuing a family vendetta...

Photo: Riny

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

Leprachauns?


An anonymous drawing left behind by an anonymous visitor to the house in Polranny.

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

Nature and Technology...


...combine in this breathtaking shot by Monique Besten, an artist and a recent Polanny guest.

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

Lonely Sheep...


... and the encroaching sea mist.

Photo Monique Besten

zaterdag 23 april 2011

Spotting the Similarities



Artist and recent visitor Monique Besten at work in Polranny and Achill.

Photos: Monique Besten

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

Sunset


Sunset over Currane Peninsula.

Always different, often dramatic.

Photo: Henk de Lange

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