Coole Mountain, the highest peak of the mountain range within sight of the farm.
I knew I was in paradise for this was all I could see in every direction from the farm...fuschia foxgloves and green hills galore, speckled with curious cows and wind turbines!
The wonderful Robinson family and my fellow WWOOFer. The family is from England, but came to Ireland to get away from Britain's increasingly conservative edge in the 80s and raise their children in the countryside. Jacquie, the mom, is on the left, next to Orla, the daughter, and her boyfriend, Darryl. Thumbs up is Barry, the dad, and then we have Emiliano, the professional photographer from Milano, on the bottom right. Not pictured is Ben, their 15-year-old son.
Here, in the Republic of Ireland, they have an impressive group of ex-pat friends who share many of the same hippy values as they have: love of the land and self-sufficieny, love of classic rock n' roll music, and love of some great partying!
I arrived on a Saturday evening to the question: "Are you well rested?" Turns out, I arrived on the best night possible, as their friend Andrea was throwing a massive Summer Solstice/birthday party. Good thing I was well rested, because we listened to live music and enjoyed the warmth of the bonfire (and not so much the midges, aka gnats) until 4am in the morning, when Barry and I decided we wanted to head home towards the glow of the sunrise for some well deserved sleep. The rest of the family stayed at the festivities until 8am. Needless to say, I had the following day off from work!
From the likes of things that first night, I knew I was in the right place...
We WWOOFers had our own home! The Robinson family lived here while they were renovating the main home years ago. My room was the window on the top right. On the ground floor, there are two recycled urinals mounted on the wall, planted up with colorful flowers--a good example of the humour and ingenuity the family possess.
Kitty sitting pretty on the wall surrounding one of the family's several flower gardens.
One of my favorite parts of the farm was the dogs, Gordon and Lizzy, who I took on walks most days after work.
A portion of the vegetable garden.
I weeded these (and other) onions for a couple days at the farm, along with weeding the potatoes and doing a bit of housecleaning.
The city has a Parisian feel to it with the river running through the middle.
Dublin's main city center, where you can spot the iconic spire in the middle, behind the statue.
Dublin's (in)famous Temple Bar district, where many pubs, restaurants, clubs and street performers are located.
Red brick buildings line the street, as did gay pride flags!
It's (always) TYSON time!
The Dublin Castle.
My cousin, Sam Morrow, and his lovely wife, Marie, at a photo point in County Sligo, taken after they picked me up from the train station.
My bedroom view from the Morrow residence in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Their home would be mine for the next week; Sam and Marie took such great care of me during my stay, I truly felt like family.
The Giant's Causeway, Ireland's only United Nations World Heritage Site. The hexagonal blocks are formed from an eruption of lava and the subsequent waves crashing on the cooling rocks, although legend has it that the causeway was formed by the Irish giant, Finn McCool. Just amazing, much like the rainfall and thunder that poured on us after this photo was taken.
Approaching the Giant's Causeway (with pup Molly in tow) in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
The colours of this scene can hardly be represented in this photo. The cliffs of County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
The astounding cliffs of County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Castle Dunluce, County Antrim.
The cliffs of County Antrim on the northen tip of Northern Ireland.
Dad, this one's for you! Kissing the green at Royal Portrush Golf Course (where my dad is a lifetime member) on the northern tip of N. Ireland.
A recreated Pennsylvania farmhouse, similar to the settlements of many Irish immigrants in the 'New World'. This is part of the Ulster Folk Park, which literally takes visitors on a journey from the harsh and rugged Irish lifestyle in the 'Old World' to emigrating into the 'New World'; from potato-blighted farm, and onto the ship where some did not survive, emigrees finally land in chaotic New York City under some grim circumstances. There, many Irish spread into the country, and on this experience, they place us on a farm in none other than Pennsylvania! We were here on the 4th of July, so just behind this photo was a re-enactment of the American War of Independence.
A wee bit wordy, but so true! Featured in an old one-room school house at the Ulster Folk Park.
Thomas Mellon, the Pennsylvania banker, was born here.
Sod/turf BEFORE: a not-so-environmentally-friendly way to create heat, but opposite this turf farm stands a majestic array of wind turbines.
Sod/turf AFTER, providing the fuel for a nice fire.
The Crown Bar, with its ornate detailing inside and out, is protected by The National Trust.
Enjoying a pint of cider with cousin Sam at the Crown Bar in Belfast.
How did Tim Hortons get here? An ode to Canada...
Belfast's City Hall and a smaller version of London's Eye beside it.
A selection of mouth-watering cheeses at the Belfast market. The gentleman running this stand had a Slow Food apron on! Go snails!
One of the many lochs (lakes) in County Fermanagh.
Waterfall in County Fermanagh.
Mossy river in County Fermanagh.
My cousin Sam is involved in just about everything in County Fermanagh and beyond (he retired as the Secretary of Agriculture to Northern Ireland and has been presented with an award from the Queen, just to give you an idea), including this fish hatchery which he helped start several years ago to rebuild the local wild trout and salmon population. Richard, the hatchery manager, and Sam collect some fine specimens in their holding tanks to show me what they've fostered in this non-profit scheme.
Hefty trout, but not yet ready to be released into the wild.
Clabby Parish, County Fermanagh, where my ancestors worshipped and currently rest.
My great-great grandparents' grave.
Sam and I found my great grandmother's baptismal record from the late 1800s in this church record that is still in use.
What an incredible experience: standing in front of my ancestor's homestead. This once housed a family of 2 adults and 12 children!
The family homestead, now home to cows and a beautiful meadow.
The view of the Clabby Parish and the environs from my family's homestead.
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