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

Artwork

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

Photo: © Profoundly Superficial

Floating World

Seaweed in Killary Fjord in beautiful Connemara.

Photo: Profoundly Superficial

Meteorological dramas...

... they happen all the time.
Photo: Profoundly Superficial

Divine Intervention?

Dramatic light effects are not at all uncommon in this part of Ireland.

Photo: Hank and Josée

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

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

Wonky Gravestones

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

Photo: Riny

A Beautiful Sight

Kindling for the fireplace in the living room. Beautifully stacked up and ready to burn!

Photo: Riny

Artistic Sheep

Even the sheep know how to pose artistically in front of a spectacular Irish landscape!

Photo: Riny Meijer

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

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.

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.

Views from the Kitchen Window

The little white house belongs to our friend and neighbour Mrs Masterson.
Paintings: Reina Keislair

Another View of the House...

Painting: Reina Keislair

The House Immortalised...

... in this stunning water-colour painting by artist and Polranny guest Reina Keislair.

Leprachauns?

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

Just Another Day at the Office?

Artist Reina Keislair hard at work during her recent visit to the house in Polranny.

Nature and Technology...

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

Rugged Coastline

Sunny or stormy, Pirate guest and artist Monique Besten gets to grips with Mayo's rugged coastline.

Photo: Monique Besten

Lonely Sheep...

... and the encroaching sea mist.

Photo Monique Besten

Spotting the Similarities

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

Photos: Monique Besten

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

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

Life's A Journey...

... is the thought behind this bench placed alongside the cycle path that links Achill with Newport.
Photo: Hank and Josée

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.

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.

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

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

Optimism...

... is hoping that the warmer weather will last and not turn Arctic again!

Photo: Hank Kune

Sunset

Sunset over Currane Peninsula.

Always different, often dramatic.

Photo: Henk de Lange

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

Where the Clouds Touch the Earth

An everyday occurrence in the Wild West of Ireland.

Photo: Henk de Lange

Clouds formations...

... in Ireland are frequently as extraordinary as the landscapes beneath them.

Photo: Henk de Lange

The Angry Sea

Always a force to be reckoned with... there are rocks under those waves!

Photo: Henk de Lange