Heart's in Ireland

Remembering

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:05:00 +0000

"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

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:54:00 +0000

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

Coming Home

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:48:00 +0000

"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.

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:51:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:24:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 23:48:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:38:00 +0000

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

O'Brien's Tower

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:48:00 +0000

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

The Cliffs of Moher take your breath away. Majestic and looming over the Atlantic Ocean, they are among the most magnificent stretches of scenery in Ireland. But, just as impressive and mysterious is O'Brien's Tower. Originally built in 1835 by Cornelius (Corney) O'Brien, it now affords visitors with an awesome view of the Clare coast, southwards to the mouth of the Shannon and the Kerry Mountains. Maybe even more mysterious and alluring are the Aran Islands to the west and north.

Long ago but not so far away

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 03:59:00 +0000

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.

Decisions, decisions, decisions

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:19:00 +0000

Too many places, too little time

One of the things I loved about Ireland was the way they posted signs like these.

Irish Music

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 21:52:00 +0000

Authentic and Live

During my first visit to Ireland, we were fortunate enough to dine in the old, traditional fashion -- Irish stew and all. Along with the meal, we were treated to authentic Irish music.

My first introduction to Irish music came by way of The Chieftians. Most recently, I stumbled onto an awesome group that is a feast for the eyes and ears -- Celtic Woman. And, through the awesome programming of our Public Broadcasting System, I've seen both in concert.

This coming fall, I'll be attending a concert by Gaelic Storm, an Irish-style rock-n-roll Pub band. Their music covers traditional songs and they performed as the "steerage band" in the movie Titanic.

There's just something about Irish music that speaks to me. And, hey, if I can't be in Ireland, I can at least let the music take me there.

Check it out

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:22:00 +0000

Here’s a great web site for those who are interested in Ireland.

It’s called Ireland Calls

It’s a Community Forum for anyone interested in Ireland and the Irish. This is a free service for anyone with an interest in Ireland and all things Irish - Irish Genealogy, Irish Literature, music etc.

Just so you know

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 03:42:00 +0000

I was going to give a brief history of the Celtic Cross since I posted the photo taken at Drumcliff where W.B. Yeats is buried. But, better that I give a few links and you can decide for yourself.

The Celtic Cross

History of the Celtic Cross

Celtic Cross History and Symbolism

If there are any other good histories, I'd love to know about them.

What have I done?

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:05:00 +0000

I could say I started this blog on a whim. But that's not quite true. Actually, it's been something I've thought of for a long time and I decided to jump right in. Of course, I want to share the beauty I discovered in Ireland but as I told a friend, it really is going to force me to match up the hundreds of photos I snapped with the journal I kept -- at least for the trip to The West. That was my second trip and I have it pretty well documented.

Unfortunately, during my first trip down to the south, I was so overwhelmed with all I saw, I didn't make quite as many notes.

From a writer's perspective, this new venture will be glorious. A challenge, but still a most wonderful journey back through my memories and impressions. I think it will also be a learning experience as I wade through all the information I collected. You know how it goes. Grabbing brochures, buying booklets, looking at all the post cards you didn't send because you wanted to keep them for yourself.

For now, I'll post some of my favorite photos. That might take a while simply because they all hold a special place in my heart.

Green and Blue

noreply@blogger.com (Francine) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 23:30:00 +0000

The colors of my blog were chosen simply because when I think of Ireland, these are the colors I most remember.

I never expected to fall in love again. After all, I'm happily married to a wonderful man -- and have been for quite a while. But as our plane broke through the clouds, a kalidescope of green rushed up and washed over me as we landed in Kerry. That was all it took.

Enchanted? Yes! Magical? That too. But there was something that went deeper. Maybe it was because, starting and living life so close to Washington, D.C., then fleeing to the majestic mountains of southeastern Arizona, I wanted more. Or is it "less?"

Less city, less people, less stress. Yes, I suppose that's part of it. Yet, I hadn't really been looking. After all, the high desert of Arizona is actually quite nice. No, not as green but the lack of vegetation is more than offset by the firey sunsets and star spangled nights.

Ireland was something more. Much of it had to do with the people and their connection to the land and its history. Maybe it's because it seemed everyone was a storyteller, and as a writer, I more than appreciated this gift. Underlying all that, were the friendly faces that never seemed to question; just accept.

I'll return there one day.