Remembering

"There's not a house or window,
there's not a field or hill,
But, east or west, in foreign lands,
I'll recollect them still."
"The Winding Banks of Erne"
William Allingham

In the stillness

"Ireland is where strange tales begin
and happy endings are possible."
Charles Haughey

Coming Home

"I expect that every Irish-American coming to Ireland says visiting makes them feel good to be here. But I feel drawn to Dingle, I feel a sense of coming home. For me that is what it is. This is where my grandmother, Catherine Ashe, came from. And I look forward to coming back again." Gregory Peck

While I don't know where my Irish roots began, I do know that going to Ireland was like coming home again. And Dingle, with it's majestic beauty and quaint seaside town brought Ireland to life for me.

PEACE AND CONTENTMENT

While we were in Sligo, we rented a lovely vacation house with a view of the Atlantic Ocean from the front and a view of pasture land from the back, complete with cows. Early one morning we were blessed with the birth of a brand new calf. Our neighbors, owners of the cows, were out early separating mammy & baby from the rest of the herd. I can't imagine a more peaceful setting.

Flowery Seclusion

Here in the high desert, it's hard to find something as green and lush as this flowery seclusion. The photo was taken at a lovely Bed and Breakfast in Bunratty that offered such beauty and quiet.

During the hot days of summer here in Arizona, I especially long to return to places like this in Ireland.

Blessings, Francine

St. Patrick's Day

For years, I shunned celebrating St. Patrick's Day. For many here in the states, it just seems to be an excuse to drink ... drink LOTS. It's sad because, over all these years I've missed an opportunity to share with others of Irish descent. Even sadder, I didn't know the history of St. Patrick.

The crest above is that of my ancestors, the Campbell's. I know very little ... except that there must be a gazilion of them. I'm proud of my Irish roots and hope to delve into my ancestry later this year. And then, return to Enchanted Ireland.

I won't attempt to educate any visitors here. But, there are a few links that I hope you'll enjoy:

St. Patricks Day

And here are a few more for those who love Ireland.

island Ireland

A Virtual Tour of Ireland

Ireland Fun Facts

Enjoy celebrating All things Irish.

Blessings, Francine

Irish Blessing

The West

The west coast of Ireland is ruggedly beautiful and hauntingly romantic.

It's been too long since I've posted, what with Christmas and writing deadlines. So from my heart to yours:

An Inspiring Irish Blessing

Enjoy, Francine