Monday, September 17, 2007

Long ago but not so far away


While Ireland sings its own song of myths and legends, the reality of life lived long ago appears to hold little in the way of elegance. Rather, life lived must surely have been mostly one of toil and labor. Yet, from the hardships and heartaches, a beauty arises in the telling of stories from long ago.

This castle gives no illusions of wealth or comfort. Instead, these austere walls speak more of adversity, struggle, and deprivation. Yet, the history of Ireland is littered with conflict and warfare, kings battling for dominance and commoners fighting for some sense of control and self-rule.

Sometimes the sweetest of things comes from the most painful past.

9 comments:

RitasRavings said...

Wow Francine, thanks for that post. Beautiful photographs and your words hit home. Painful past is just what I'm emerging from. Thank.

Carol said...

As usual your photos and words just go so well together..I took a trip through the week to an Historic Convict town, for some reason I just love to wander about it, through the old relics and cemeteries..It is probably because my roots were Irish and were convicts..My husbands first ancestor to Australia was a 12 year old boy convicted of stealing a pair of shoes, he was sent to serve out his seven year sentence here.. I can't imagine a boy as young as this leaving Ireland and sailing away from his family forever and what torture and hardships he must have endured..

Francine Biere said...

Rita, Cami and Carol ... thanks so much for your comments. And although I was writing specifically about Ireland, Rita, thanks for pointing out the obvious in my statement. Carol, I know I'll learn a lot more about Ireland's painful past as it connects to those treated so harshly. How sad that a 12-year-old was sent away from his homeland. I wonder if he ever went back.

Thanks again

Carol said...

to answer you question,Francine, no the young man did not return to Ireland he married another convict and they raised 12 children.He lived to be 90...His large family probably made up for him never having to see his family in Ireland again.He was my husbands Great, great, grandfather

Pat said...

Francine, how lovely to see your photos of Ireland!

I used to live there early on in my marriage and so enjoyed my time spent there.

Thanks!

Pat

Photography Cafe

Francine Biere said...

Carol, thanks for the "rest of the story." Sounds like the beginning of a plot for a good book. Pat, I'm so glad you visited. And, I'm really glad you have the link for Photography Cafe.

Maxine said...

I finally came over to see this! Nice pictures, Francine. I know little about Ireland. Maybe I'll learn something about it from visiting here. That last statement you made is right on. Sometimes really sweet things do come from the most painful past.

Scotti said...

Hi Francine,

What a wonderful idea for a blog. I love Ireland and have been blessed to visit several times myself. What an enchanted and beautiful land.

God Bless,
Scotti

Unknown said...

I've been so blessed by all your comments and so very remiss in posting more photos. A new venture has diverted my attention -- but only temporarily. And, I must confess, I won't post a photo without giving proper identification. And, I finally found all my wonderful info from our trips to Ireland. I can't wait to begin posting again. Soon, I promise.