The House and the Folly in Winter

No leaves: very bare, very romantic...
Photo: Peti

Corraun Diary 11); the Welcome Home Festival 2003

In August 2003 Al and Jane, our friends in nearby Currane, had been hard at work renovating their pub for a very special occasion: the Welcome Home Festival. As Jane wrote in her diary: 'The bar has been redecorated, the new toilets are finished and the festival has started. There's a wonderful atmosphere in the village and people with roots in Currane have travelled from far and wide to be here'.
Photo: Jane

The Flowering Shrubs (2)

The flowering shrubs (both with and without variegated leaves) have been planted beneath the pine trees. They will be seen at their best in the low winter sun when they sprout bright red berries.
Photo: Peti

Green-Fingered Pirates

There's lots of land surrounding the Pirates' house in Polranny. This means that the garden is a hive of activity, even in the dead of winter. Here is the latest haul of flowering shrubs, the result of a recent raid on the local garden centre.
Photo: Peti

Corraun Diary (10); Fixing the Ladies

It's hard work doing up an old pub, as Jane, our friend and neighbour, records in her diary entry of August 2003: 'We have new toilets. It's been such a rush to get them ready for the summer rush. The rooms we've used were full of wet rot, dry rot and rising damp, and so had to be completely gutted and rebuilt. It's cost a fortune but we're sure that it's been worthwhile. The nameplates (centre) were made by me.' Click to enlarge.
Photos: Jane

Pirates' Pool

This is where the Pirates get their exercise: the swimming pool at the nearby Mulranny Hotel. There's also a jacuzzi, hot tub and sauna to soothe their aching limbs. Not to mention the gym, for those who don't like getting their whiskers wet.
Photo: Peti

Founding Pirates

The first two pirates - Hank and Peti - when they were still babies. The house is in the background.
Photo: Karin Daan. Taken in the summer of 1973.

Corraun Diary (9); Preparing the Photo Show

Back in May 2003 Jane, our friend and neighbour from the Currane Peninsula, wrote: 'There's a festival being planned in Currane and my part in it is to help arrange the photographic exhibition. I'm gathering together as many photographs of life here across the years as I can. This picture, taken in the early 1970's, is by no means one of the oldest images. It's important to me though because it shows me (on the right), together with my little brother, our grandparents, Cap the dog and shows us during haymaking. I have very happy memories of those holidays here. Images can be found on: http://www.currane.net/aboutframe.html'
Photo: EJJ. Psaila (Jane's dad)

Clare Island

Polranny is the place where you get away from your normal life, relax and concentrate on your work as an artist, writer, musician or academic. Pirate Peti made this beautiful drawing of nearby Clare Island, as seen from Clew Bay.

Lest We Forget

A mural of Bloody Sunday by the Bogside Artists in Derry, a city that's well worth a visit.
Photo: Annie

Enjoying the weather

Polranny visitors Astrid and Floortje enjoying the delights of an Irish summer.
Photo: Annie

A Meaty Business

McGreal's: the butchers where carnivorous Pirates score their prime cuts in nearby Achill Sound.
Photo: Carolien

Votive Tree

Cuddly toys and socks amongst the rosaries hung on a votive tree at Tobernalt Holy Well near Sligo Town.
Photo: Annie

Corraun Diary (8); Mhikie's Photo at the George

In spring 2003 Pirate friend Jane wrote: "This picture of Mhikie Gallagher was taken in the 1970's. For a long time it had pride of place on the walls here, along with other pictures of locals. I have managed to get hold of the photographic negatives and plan to reinstate this and other pictures in the newly decorated bar."

A Steamy Christmas Crib

Mary, Jesus and Joseph spotted by Pirate photographers Margreet and Yiri.

All Things Sweeney

The car park between Sweeney's Supermarket, Sweeney's Hardware and Sweeney's Gift Shop in Achill Sound. Pretty much the centre of the universe in this neck of the woods.
Photo: Margreet and Yiri

Twilight in Donegal

A wondrous experience as evening falls...
Photo: Annie

Early Morning View

As seen from the big bedroom...
Photo: Annie

Irish Nature

Come here, little foxy, foxy, foxy!!

By Pirate associate Margreet. Click to enlarge

HAPPY 2009!

The Pirates and their associates and friends love celebrations. And what better way than to work together on a painting of our headquarters amidst their wondrous landscape. This beautiful gift to the house will be awaiting our visitors, both Pirate and otherwise.
Photos: Margreet and Yiri

The Drive in December

Always romantic... Always the beginning of a new adventure...
Photo: Margreet and Yiri

Fishing in Ireland; Getting Through Customs

I wonder how easy it will be to get this through customs...
- Hi hi, they're bound to think it's a rocket launcher or something!
By Pirate associate Margreet. Click to enlarge

Fishing in Ireland; Finding the Right Place

By Pirate associate Margreet. Click to enlarge

Snow

The first snow of the winter has already fallen. The days are short and it is time to snuggle up to stove with a good detective!
Photo by Pirate associates Margreet & Yiri

Local Dogs: the Rockfleet Irish Setter

This Irish setter befriended us at Rockfleet, one of the watchtower forts belonging to Grace O'Malley, the 16th century pirate queen who defied the might of Elizabeth I of England.
Photos: Annie

Local Dogs: Trudi

Trudi is a rescue dog, who belongs to our friends Jane and Al of Corraun House. I call her "Texaco Trudi" because she was handed over at a Texaco petrol station. Trudi is not only a stunning beauty but also one of the sweetest dogs around. Jane and Al still can't believe their luck.
Photo: Jane

Local Dogs: Spot

Spot - otherwise known as His Lordship - belongs to our friend and neighbour Mrs Masterson, to whom he is utterly devoted.
Photo: Annie

The New Bridge

The new bridge to nearby Achill Island and the Sound has been the subject of constant gossip, rumour and controversy. Yet here it is, looking quite lovely, in a photo taken a few days ago by Pirate associate Margreet de Heer.

Corraun Diary (7); the George gets a Facelift

Pirate friend Jane writes: "By clearing out and decorating during the day and clearing up replacing furniture for the evening, we were able to redecorate the bar without having to close once."

Photo: Jane

Ireland in December...

... can be positively tropical!
Photo: Jane

Looking Sheepish...

Sheep: you see them everywhere but rarely with such magnificent horns as this impressive gentleman.
Photo: Bertje

Driving in Ireland; Part 2

By Pirate associate Margreet. Click to enlarge.

Driving in Ireland; Part 1

Keep to the left! Keep to the left!

- Driving in Ireland is dead easy!

By Pirate associate Margreet. Click to enlarge

The Changing Seasons

Photo: Peti

Corraun Diary (6); Paddy's Day

On March 17 2003, Pirate neighbour Jane wrote: "We decided to open at lunchtime today but the bar didn't get busy until the evening. The whole place has been cleaned down ready for redecoration. We plan to start next week."
Photo: Al