Photographs and memories

Ireland is a country of Gaelic people and mystical land. I could not understand their thick accent unless I ask them to speak slowly. I don’t know which one has the best accent: Irish or Scottish? There is a Gaelic saying:

An té a bhíónn siúlach, bíonn scéalach.
On tay a vee-on shoo-loch(k), bee-on skay-loch(k)
He who travels has stories to tell.

Standing at the edge of Aran Island, Ireland

These landscapes were taken using a panoramic fuji disposable camera. I didn’t own a camera then. To give you an idea what Ireland is, I have to take shots of old photos. Please pardon the quality of these photographs.

Imagine if we were all magical leprechauns, and every wish ever made on a four-leaf clover obliged us to help others obtain their wishes. Now imagine if people simply lived like this were true. ~ Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes

Walked the Burren, Ireland

Exploring the lunar landscape of the Burren Region, we enjoyed a unique experience through its spectacular scenery, prehistoric sites and rare flora. We had no destination in mind, so just kept on walking and found plenty of megalithic stones. We even help an Irish family lost in the Burren. Showed them the way in exchange for a lift on our way out.

The Burren is a remarkable bare limestone area with a combination of many unusual factors, its geology, its flora, its caves, its archaeology, its legends and its history. The rock area is carboniferous limestone which rises as terraced hills to over 1,000 ft. Hundreds of stone forts and megalithic tombs still stand in this area.

A long walk to reach the sea at Aran Island, Ireland

Aran Islands is part of County Galway. There are three islands, and we stayed in one of them. Celtic culture is thriving in this area. We stayed with the locals, partied with them in the middle of the town. They are known for their storytelling that hard to see whether they are telling the truth.

No matter how many rooms you have in your house, you’re only able to sleep in one bed – it doesn’t matter how many possessions you have, we all have the same basic needs in life.

Walked from one end to another at Cliff of Moher

On a clear day, we can enjoy expansive views of the Aran Islands from walking along the Cliff of Moher. I survived the long walk on this windy cliff as if I could fly with the many birds that inhabit this area. Actually, I thought I was going to die falling off the cliff.

May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent.

Ruins of Seven Churches

We wanted to go to church, and we were pointed in this direction. We were more expecting a ‘live’ catholic church.

Blessed is he who expects nothing for he shall never be disappointed. ~ Jonathan Swift

Strolling in the countryside and smelling the heather

These are beautiful memories of my friend Jan that I brought along with me for a retreat with Fr. Jim in Ireland. We stayed for a week of spiritual nourishment at Chrysalis with other Irish people. At Chrysalis, it was the first time I’ve heard of vegan. There was no meat in this establishment that I hated hearing the bleat of the sheep. After two days, I have to go to the nearest (long) corner pub/store for a tin can of corned beef. I survived the retreat filled with wisdom that I am still digesting after all these years.

In celebration, we went to the field of heather and smelt the flowers. And for an Irish blessing to all.

May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet, enough trials to keep you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to keep you happy, enough failure to keep you humble, enough success to keep you eager, enough friends to give you comfort, enough faith and courage in yourself to banish sadness, enough wealth to meet your needs and one thing more; Enough determination to make each day a more wonderful day than the one before.

Hope you enjoyed the landscape and a bit of story.