Kilronan Mountain melts away into the valley below on a glorious easter sunday evening… 
The land below stretches west to Sligo Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, south to Boyle and the land of Roscommon and east towards Dublin City. Loughs are too numerous to mention, villages and townlands with ancient names that stretch back into the mists of legends. Beauty that is both exhilarating and tragic… 
Abandoned amidst the bleak beauty of Kilronan Mountain, it’s empty windows gazing out across an early summer landscape.
Ireland is dotted with these beautiful and evocative old stone cottages. It is heartbreaking to think of the skill and hard work involved in building these unique, vernacular style homes…and like this one, sometimes in the most windswept landscapes imaginable.
As the evening draws in and the air begins to chill, it’s time to leave the mountain behind and head home to the warmth of Bealtaine Cottage and a mug of hot tea.
Old Stone Cottages and Windswept Mountains in the West of Ireland…Bealtaine Permaculture
24 AprIvy, Euphorbia, Angelica and more Orchids at Bealtaine Permaculture Smallholding, Ireland.
24 AprThe Ivy hangs in 3-4 metre tendrils on a tree in the Fairy Dell…Quite Magical!
Euphorbia…this wonderful perennial comes up more lush every year and transplants easily…I started with a stolen cutting and now it dominates the April/May/June garden and beyond!
Angelica, now at least 7 feet tall and with a massive spread. Medieval herbalists called it ‘Herba Angelica,’ meaning ‘Angelic Plant.’ Traditionally it is supposed to flower on the 8th of May, which is the feast of Michael the Archangel. needless to add, Angelica possesses protective qualities. The seeds add flavour to Chartreuse Liqueur!
The way up out from the Fairy Dell…
Orchids continue to emerge all over Bealtaine Smallholding. I was asked by the Census Enumerator the other day if I used any chemicals here…where that came from is interesting! However, I simply told him to look around…there is far too much growing evidence of NO CHEMICALS HERE!
Sunlight dapples the grass under the Blackthorn trees near the tunnel. The light dances on the ground as the Fairy trees gently sway in the breeze.
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Magical Driftwood and Happy Cats
As the weekend draws in, the clock tells me it’s time to make dinner and settle in for the evening…it’s Friday evening!
The day has been wet and grey and much of my work has taken place in and around the cottage.
Days like today are welcome though, as it allows a little bit of a slow-down and a time for reflection and making plans.
I have decided to tile the kitchen floor, using broken tiles from the local tile shop, Carrick Tiles.
It is a long task, but the best approach is to a little each day and try not to work too long, as this can inhibit the desire to return to the task the following day!
Missy has kept warm beside the stove. This is the longest period of time without a visit to the vet.
It appears that keeping really warm by the stove eases her symptoms.
Doesn’t she look well?
Some friends visited last weekend and Nick brought me this lovely mirror he made using driftwood. There is something so beautiful about driftwood.
Even the scent of this wood evokes the ocean.
It is magical to live this close to the Atlantic Ocean…about a 45 minute drive to Rosses Point.
I’m happy to tell you all that the “We Will Not Comply” petition now has over 4,200 signatures…not bad for a mere 8 days. If you would like to add your name then here’s the link…
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/We_Will_Not_Comply/?cCgoWbb
Have a good weekend everyone!
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