Souvenir Hunting

Sweeney's at nearby Achill Sound has a wide range
of presents for the folks back home. There are
plenty of books on sale including the mummy porn
best-seller "Fifty Shades of Grey", which is
extremely popular in Ireland right now. For those
of a more sombre nature, there are also graveside
memorials such as this colourful tableau with
stigmata saint Padre Pio. Even the animals have
their own tributes including "Beloved Cat. You've
made our home special".

Photo: ©Profoundly Superficial

Secret Treasure

Collection of shells (etc.) in the television room
at the house in Polranny.
Photo: ©Profoundly Superficial

OWLs Meet Irish President!

Last week we mentioned that the Polranny Pirates had hosted a dinner
for the ground-breaking OWLs, the Older Wiser Lesbians. This week,
they've flown the coop and high-tailed it to Aras an Uchtarain, the
official residence of the Irish president, where they met President
Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina. By the look of it, it was great craic!

Dinner with OWLs

The Polranny Pirates were delighted to host a dinner for the OWLs, the
Older Wiser Lesbians, an Irish group that was founded by long-time
Pirate friend Maureen Ahearne. A good time was had by all!

Photo: Peti

Marjorie's Memoirs

Pirate friend and local resident Marjorie Wallace-Le
has just published her memoirs and has very kindly
presented us with the first copy! According to the blurb
on the back cover, she is a "renegade Scot who fell
in love with Ireland, when not pursuing a career as
an anaesthetist in South East Asia, and is now content
to gaze out on the bog, if you can see it." Many
congratulations, Marjorie!

Pirate Portrait

A painting of Pirate Bertje by Pirate Peti, which has graced
the Folly for many years now.

Photo: Riny

Public Convenience

Ireland is famous for its double purpose buildings such as bars that also
function as funeral parlours. Here, an elegant public loo in Castlebar
is also displaying an important message.

Photo: Riny. Click to enlarge

Paradise

There are no cats in the garden in Polranny. This means that it's a
paradise for birds, who are even provided with snacks!

Photo: Riny

Bird World

The garden in Polranny is home to countless species of birds like this
feisty robin, which was lovingly photographed by Pirate Riny.

Irish Pagoda?

A little piece of Japan in Ireland. Part of
the Powerscourt estate near Dublin.
Photo: ©©Profoundly Superficial

Moore Hall

Overgrown ruins of Moore Hall, a mansion firebombed
in the Irish Civil War. PS Pirates don't believe in
ghosts... except in Ireland... ©Profoundly Superficial

The Bridge to the Rainbow's End

If there was a crock of gold there, it evaporated
along with the rainbow about thirty seconds later.

Photo: ©Profoundly Superficial, Achill Island

The Lawn Gets its Trim

Spring is late this year but finally the lawn has had its first trim of the year.

Photo: Mike

The Bears of Ireland

In the kitchen, Rory the Bear is waiting patiently for
his full Irish breakfast.

Photo: Bertje

The Classic Irish Landscape...

... with rolling hills, clear lakes and a graveyard from where the dead watch over the living.

Photo: Peti

Where Europe Ends

The very edge of Europe. Beyond it is water and
another world.
Photo:©Profoundly Superficial

The Folly from Above

Lots of work still to be done but we're getting
there. Meanwhile our guests are having a great
time at the House

Photo: Bertje

Upstairs in the Folly...

... the bookcases for the Library are almost ready!

Photo: Bertje

The Folly is Under Construction...

... but there's still time for tea!

Photo: Bertje

Things Are Looking Positively Rosy

... at the back of the House and the Folly.

Photo: Bertje

Almost Spring

The Folly and the House looking magnificent in the
soft, springtime light.

Photo: Bertje

Natural Beauty

An Irish magic carpet of moss, plants and decorative sheep
poo. Quite transporting! Photo: ©Profoundly Superficial

Beach Combing

Prehistoric axe head. Found by Pirate Annie on Mulranny
beach in August.
Photo: ©Profoundly Superficial

Beach Bums

Trudi and Bertje on the Golden Strand, Achill Island.
Photo: ©Profoundly Superficial

Picture Postcard

Gay greetings from Ireland!
© Profoundly Superficial

Lorcan

Lorcan is an Indian eagle owl, who lives with his
mate Aisling at the Raptor Centre in County Sligo.
Well worth a visit!! ©Profoundly Superficial

Unexpected Help

Pirate friend Doutsje recently dropped by with (from top to bottom)
Sophie, Cecile and Sabine, who have been helping out at Doutsje and
husband Willem's exquisite Achill Secret Garden. No sooner had
they arrived than the three girls set to work whitewashing the
inside of the Folly. Thank you girls and thank you Doutsje! We really
appreciate it!!

Anyone at Home?

Trudi's waiting for the bunnies to come out to play.

Photo: ©Profoundly Superficial, Currane

Twilight Hour

The horses and the tractor are heading home. The day is done.

Photo: Josée

In the Bleak Midwinter..

... it's important to remember that one day summer will finally return.

Photo: Peti

An Irish Christmas...

... is full of "little people".

Photo: Josée

The Folly's Kitchen is Slowly Taking Shape

Here, Pirate builder Mike is adding the tiles.

Foto: Peti

The Folly From Fore and Aft

Deceptively modest from the front, the Folly reveals its true nature from the rear.

Photos: Peti

The Entrance to the Folly

The elegant entrance to the Folly replete with handy wheelbarrow and the twin compost-makers in the foreground.

Photo: Peti

Pilgrim

Armed with a flag staff, this young pilgrim has spent many painful hours clambering up the Croagh Patrick, the local holy mountain, on his bare feet. At the summit, he paused long enough to have his picture taken by photographer Ineke Oostveen, who was staying at Polranny at the time.

Photo: Ineke Oostveen