Some of my American and UK friends have been asking me about the sport of hurling which is played in Ireland and is one of our two National games. Gaelic football being the other.
I am posting some videos which I discovered on YouTube and that I hope will go some way towards explaining the game to you.
Please click here and enjoy.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Starlings Coming Home to Roost
A phone call from my friend, Dick Gough, yesterday afternoon was the prelude to one of the most spectacular events that I have ever witnessed.
As well as being an artist who transforms bog wood into elegant sculptures, Dick is an avid photographer who specialises in photographing all forms of wildlife in their natural habitat. His objective yesterday was to get some pictures of starlings coming to roost for the night. He explained to me that it would be a spectacular event and if conditions were right and the birds obliged, it would be possible get some good pictures. I was delighted when he invited me to go along with him.
Well, I knew dick wouldn’t be going on a wild goose chase – or should I say wild starling chase – but I couldn’t help wondering what kind of pictures he hoped to get of flocks of birds coming to a grove of trees to bed down for the night. He assured me there was a treat in store and he was not mistaken.
We arrived at the chosen location just as the sun was setting. It was a lovely evening – cold but dry. We didn’t have long to wait before the birds started to arrive. First, they came in small flocks from all different directions. Meanwhile while the arriving flocks were getting larger and larger, they were all joining together to form one large flock flying over and adjacent to their landing site. This went on for some time until the sky was black with them. Then as if by some method of communication, which is incomprehensible to me, that informed them that all the birds had arrived, the show began. They flew across the sky in perfect formations, wheeling and diving and crisscrossing each other’s flight path forming all kinds of different shapes and forms until finally, they were right over their roosting place. Then one last display and they were gone. In one body they just dropped into the trees. Dick described this as like pouring grain out of a bucket and I can’t think of a more appropriate description.
I hope the attached videos will give you some flavour of the event. If you listen carefully, at the end of one video, you will hear Dick’s comment to me which I think sums up the whole event perfectly.
As well as being an artist who transforms bog wood into elegant sculptures, Dick is an avid photographer who specialises in photographing all forms of wildlife in their natural habitat. His objective yesterday was to get some pictures of starlings coming to roost for the night. He explained to me that it would be a spectacular event and if conditions were right and the birds obliged, it would be possible get some good pictures. I was delighted when he invited me to go along with him.
Well, I knew dick wouldn’t be going on a wild goose chase – or should I say wild starling chase – but I couldn’t help wondering what kind of pictures he hoped to get of flocks of birds coming to a grove of trees to bed down for the night. He assured me there was a treat in store and he was not mistaken.
We arrived at the chosen location just as the sun was setting. It was a lovely evening – cold but dry. We didn’t have long to wait before the birds started to arrive. First, they came in small flocks from all different directions. Meanwhile while the arriving flocks were getting larger and larger, they were all joining together to form one large flock flying over and adjacent to their landing site. This went on for some time until the sky was black with them. Then as if by some method of communication, which is incomprehensible to me, that informed them that all the birds had arrived, the show began. They flew across the sky in perfect formations, wheeling and diving and crisscrossing each other’s flight path forming all kinds of different shapes and forms until finally, they were right over their roosting place. Then one last display and they were gone. In one body they just dropped into the trees. Dick described this as like pouring grain out of a bucket and I can’t think of a more appropriate description.
I hope the attached videos will give you some flavour of the event. If you listen carefully, at the end of one video, you will hear Dick’s comment to me which I think sums up the whole event perfectly.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Two events take place this weekend that are important to me and to which I want to give the true recognition they deserve. One of course is the feast day of our National Saint, St. Patrick, which we celebrate on March 17. In honour of that, I would like to wish all my friends wherever they may be, and visitors to my blog, a Very Happy St. Patrick’s Day. In true Irish fashion, here are few blessings that I would like to dedicate to all of you in honour of this special day:
May you always have Walls for the winds,
A roof for the rain,
Tea beside the fire,
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all your heart might desire!
May you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead!
Go mbeannai Dia duit (May God Bless You)
May you always have Walls for the winds,
A roof for the rain,
Tea beside the fire,
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all your heart might desire!
May you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead!
Go mbeannai Dia duit (May God Bless You)
The other event this weekend (today actually) is my friend, Judy’s, birthday. Since I first got to know Judy, almost three years ago, she has been a true and loyal friend. She has brought many blessings into my life, not least the extension of our friendship to her husband, Tom, and their marvellous family. Next to my own family, they have become a very special and irreplaceable part of my life.
Happy Birthday Judy!! And since I am in the mood for imparting blessings today, here is a special one for you on your birthday:
May God grant you many years to live,
For sure he must be knowing
The earth has angels all too few
And Heaven is overflowing.
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