Scenes of Ireland (and more)

Landscaped Jungle

2011-11-23T09:38:00.001Z

IMG_4597, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

One of my favorite photos from our wexfird trip this summer - I have always loved the "giant rhubarb" plants, they look so prehistoric and exotic. This is at the JFK memorial park, a tree huggers' paradise. Also the scene of my baby son's first picnic aged 8 months. He didn't rate the chicken sambos but he loved rolling on the rug with daddy...

Wood and Straw

2011-07-30T15:08:00.001+01:00

IMG_4511, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Interior of thatch roof, reconstructed house

Red is the Rose

2011-07-20T17:22:00.001+01:00

IMG_4539, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

ROses in Kilmokea Gardens, Wexford.

red

2011-07-19T11:27:00.001+01:00

IMG_4570, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

flowers in Kilmokea Gardens, Wexford

Iron Age Roof 3

2011-07-13T16:17:00.001+01:00

IMG_4494, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Curvature of reconstructed Iron Age House roof in the Irish Heritage Centre, Wexford.

Iron Age Roof 2

2011-07-13T16:16:00.001+01:00

IMG_4492, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Iron Age house - reconstructed roof, using ancient methods. Irish Heritage Centre, Wexford.

Iron Age Roof

2011-07-13T16:15:00.001+01:00

IMG_4493, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Detail of reconstructed Iron Age roof in the Irish Heritage Centre, Wexford.

Sandhenge

2011-07-06T11:23:00.001+01:00

IMG_4638, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

A carefully constructed miniature circle using razor shells and sticks. Found as strolling along Rosslare Strand. Left me wondering if another pagan soul had been there just before me....

In the Shade

2011-07-05T10:22:00.001+01:00

IMG_4596, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Under the giant "rhubarb" in JFK arboretum ...

baby jellyfish

2011-07-03T18:57:00.001+01:00

IMG_4646, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

June Rose

2011-06-25T15:56:00.001+01:00

IMG_4539, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

One of the lovely roses in the gardens at Kilmokea House, Wexford. Fabulous gardens, in the truest sense of the word; a feeling of enchantment pervades the ornamental grounds and it is easy to lose oneself in a pleasant hour of reverie.

Trip to the Park

2011-05-14T13:52:00.001+01:00

DSC02405, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

HIdden Glade

2011-05-14T13:45:00.001+01:00

DSC02372, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

One of the hidden corners of St Stephen's Green Park in Dublin, in Spring sunshine.

Centrepiece

2011-05-03T09:16:00.001+01:00

DSC02377, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Sunshine

2011-05-02T13:58:00.001+01:00

DSC02383, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Urban Wild

2011-04-09T13:26:00.001+01:00

DSC02390, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

St Stephen's Green, Dublin - in the unseasonable April sunshine the park boasts a "prettyish kind of wilderness", not out of place on a walk through the countryside

Orange Glory

2011-04-08T16:43:00.001+01:00

DSC02387, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Must Fly...

2011-04-07T14:48:00.001+01:00

DSC02394, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

First Ornament

2011-03-04T09:12:00.001Z

IMG_3861, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Hedge in Snow

2011-02-26T16:40:00.001Z

IMG_3847, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

On the Banks

2010-09-01T08:45:00.001+01:00

IMG_3611, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

The slightest tinge of autumn can be seen in the colours of the leaves and the slight fading of the yellow greens!

Old Fashioned Things

2010-08-31T10:19:00.001+01:00

IMG_3573, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Lovely garden in Faythe House guesthouse, the wall is the old Castle wall with milk cart and churns

Proud as a........

2010-08-28T09:23:00.001+01:00

IMG_3644, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Peahen?
For once the peahens got as much attention as the peacocks :)

Green door and Peacock

2010-08-26T10:06:00.001+01:00

IMG_3633, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Johnstown castle again, one of the many peacocks who wander the grounds having a snooze in the sunshine in the Agricultural Museam

Ornamental tower, Johnstown castle, Wexford

2010-08-25T08:32:00.001+01:00

IMG_3623, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Weeds or Flowers?

2010-08-24T11:12:00.001+01:00

IMG_3662, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Wild "Daisy" by the shore at Kilmore Quay, Wexford

Johnstown Castle, Wexford

2010-08-21T09:35:00.001+01:00

IMG_3600, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Different aspect of the castle - seen from the back as you wak towards the lake. The sun was shining, it was a beautiful blue sky day but something about the castle seems to leech the blue from the photo :)

butterfly on white flower

2010-08-20T08:46:00.001+01:00

butfly, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

the second in my kaleidoscope pictures. Easily my favourite thing to play with at the moment :)

Peacock

2010-08-19T08:40:00.001+01:00

IMG_3604, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Peacocks and Peahens stalk the grounds of Johnstown Castle - extremely tame they wander right up and seem to love the attention. This one took refuge with us to escape the attention of a particularly enthusiastic 2 yaer old Italian tourist who wanted to hug him.

pinks

2010-08-18T12:13:00.001+01:00

pinks, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

A kaleidoscope of pink flowers. Love this function on gimp, it's one of my favourite toys to play with. I find they make interesting abstracts or sometimes greeting card designs. I like the idea of a series of these framed just as a set for personal use. I'm also hoping to find some nice samples to make colourful prints for the baby's room.

Through the Tower Window

2010-08-17T08:29:00.001+01:00

IMG_3625, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

view of the castle from the tower on the ornamental lake at Johnstown castle

Daisy

2010-08-13T10:19:00.001+01:00

IMG_3582, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Quite pleased with this as it was a question of getting the depth of field and focus right first time; and no photoshopping lol :)

Comment Moderation

2010-07-21T13:13:00.001+01:00

I normally leave the comments open to all (ALL feedback gratefully recieved especially from people who are better photographers than I) but thanks to a religious nutjob calling himself Pedro Garcia Milan who choose to spam this blog with demented ramblings last night I give in. I have made it moderated comments only. This annoys me, but it's better than trawling through disgusting morbid obscenities of a morning.

Heigh ho.

wicklow heather

2010-06-08T13:25:00.001+01:00

IMG_3541, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

River through Birr

2010-05-28T14:04:00.001+01:00

IMG_3549, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

An Londubh

2010-05-25T09:12:00.001+01:00

IMG_3553, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Little blackbird sitting in the sunshine in Birr Co Offaly.

Summer

2010-05-15T10:18:00.001+01:00

IMG_3538, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

It might have been the only taste of summer we get so why not celebrate it :) Taken on the 23rd April while the sun was shining and one could fool oneself that we were actually going to have seasons :)

At the Helm

2010-03-16T12:42:00.000Z

inlet

2010-03-06T13:58:00.001Z

IMG_3084, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

That wild coast still calls me
rock and nook and inlet
wave upon wave, from the time
my father's father stood
every grain of sand filtered
through a dark hourglass
calling me back, pulsing
like the blood in my veins

Geraldine Moorkens Byrne

Spring

2010-02-27T14:35:00.002Z

IMG_1213, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Finally a little Spring weather! It's overcast now but for most of the day it's been sunny if still chilly, and best of all there was that fresh Spring feeling in the air. So in honour of the first bit of real sunshine I've seen this year here's a bright sunny flower!

Snow Cobwebs

2010-01-30T10:21:00.003Z

Taken in my lovely Sister-in-law's garden on Christmas morning 2009; the everpresent spider webs that seem to thrive in Irish gardens were frosted with a heavy hoar frost, so heavy the entire countryside gave the illusion of a real White Christmas. The spider webs were something I have never seen before and I think they came out very well.

Snowman

2010-01-27T12:53:00.000Z

Hard to believe only a few short weeks ago.....

Hedgerow, Curragh Co KIldare

2010-01-19T13:20:00.002Z

Another from Christmas Morning 2009 on the Curragh; a detail of hedgerow along the edge of the Curragh, Co Kildare. Frosted in the freezing morning air the entire hedge was a confection of brittle white beauty.

The Last Red Berry on the Tree

2010-01-16T10:48:00.001Z

IMG_3351, originally uploaded by GerCMByrne.

Using the macro function on my Canon 400D - the last red berry on the tree, Snowy Kimmage in January.

Bleak Beauty

2010-01-12T13:47:00.002Z

The edge of the Curragh on Christmas Morning 2009

Frosted

2010-01-11T16:56:00.001Z

Curragh, Christmas Morning

2010-01-09T12:43:00.001Z

Rosscarberry Co Cork

2009-12-04T13:25:00.002Z

One of the better days this year, taken at the height of that lovely Indian summer we had around Samhain. Our trip to Clonakilty was great, very chilled and the opportunity to take some photos - something I really have not had since - was much appreciated.

Evening

2009-12-03T17:51:00.001Z

I posted a very similar picture a few days ago but this is the version of it I like the best. It has better, more delicate colouring and of course, swans :)

Peaceful

2009-11-24T09:11:00.003Z

I just liked the blue tinge on this, and the sheer calm. It really was a lovely peaceful moment, standing by the inlet and watching the waterfowl drift in the cold but brilliant sunshine.

Reflections

2009-11-21T09:41:00.000Z

A silver chariot

2009-11-14T09:56:00.002Z

www.westcorktravel.com/Features/Ballinascarty-Henry-Ford.htm

Ballinascarty Ford monument - we were driving past it on the way home from Beál na mBláth when the rain lifted and I got a chance to photograph it.

Swirling

2009-11-13T10:01:00.004Z

A shot taken from the pier at Warren strand, Rosscarbery Co Cork.

Light and Dark in Cork

2009-11-10T10:40:00.002Z

Rosscarbery, Co Cork

2009-11-07T09:38:00.001Z

Swans at Rosscarberry

2009-11-03T17:08:00.003Z

We spent the Samhain weekend at the Quality Weekend Co Cork; the weather was excellent apart from a vicious downpour on the way down, that literally made everyone on our stretch of motorway pull over. On the Sunday we drove over to Rosscarberry Co Cork, and took some photographs around the inlet, and the pier etc including some using the tripod and telephoto lens. We also visited with the lovely swans and wildfowl near the Celtic Ross Hotel.

Blue Evening

2009-09-19T13:15:00.000+01:00

Manifesto

2009-09-11T09:25:00.002+01:00

Passenger list from the Dunbrody Famine ship. Visitors are given mock boarding tickets and ased to find their berth on the ship. A tiny patch of space would have been their home for 6 weeks or more, and the Dunbrody was a well run, humane ship in comparison to the Coffin ships.

Passage East, Waterford

2009-09-05T10:00:00.001+01:00

Heron and Crows, Wildfowl Sanctuary, Wexford

2009-09-03T09:25:00.001+01:00

Bridge, Ballyconniger Beach

2009-08-26T09:54:00.000+01:00

Pastoral scene

2009-08-25T12:26:00.000+01:00

Empty

2009-08-08T14:25:00.002+01:00

The Witch Trees at Tara

2009-08-06T11:32:00.003+01:00

WE went to tara for Lughnasadh - it's been far too long. Nowhere compares to the Hill for sheer energy and peace, despite the many visitors. The undulations of the earthworks and mounds ensure that all but the loudest voices are confined and even then only the faintest sounds carry. It's one of my favourite places on earth; and of course, no visit would be complete without a trip to the café for the "Tara Special"(2 scones, jam and cream with tea) eaten among the tat and Ye Olde Kelticy wiccan moneytraps. A short walk down the road to the Dark Eye well and that's a trip to Tara.

View from Hook Head

2009-08-05T08:56:00.001+01:00

One of the photos taken from Hook Head Lighthouse viewing platform.

Full Flight

2009-08-01T13:58:00.001+01:00

Taken in the Wildfowl Sanctuary Wexford, where a rather grumpy employee for reason known only to himself, scared away all the wildfowl from the main pond, despite there being several people watching them, including children. He herded away the geese and ducks as well as the other feathered visitors; leaving us all rather puzzled and slightly bereft....

Ballyconniger Beach

2009-07-30T08:38:00.001+01:00

Ahoy

2009-07-28T12:00:00.000+01:00

Moonlit

2009-07-25T15:46:00.001+01:00

Before the Thunder

2009-07-25T08:53:00.000+01:00

The Silver Tree

2009-07-24T09:02:00.001+01:00

On the Enniscorthy/New Ross road ...driving to wexford, we spotted this piece of motorway art and had to stop. it's just magnificent. I took a few shots from various angles, and I'd love to go back and photograph it when not in such a rush. I'm trying to find out who created it, but no luck so far - it's just wonderful.

Hook Head

2009-07-23T11:50:00.001+01:00

Tied up in Knots

2009-07-22T09:00:00.002+01:00

Rigging (The Dunbrody Famine Ship, New Ross)

2009-07-21T11:55:00.001+01:00

Haze

2009-07-01T12:27:00.001+01:00

Twilight, Curragh, Co Kildare

2009-06-27T10:51:00.002+01:00

Peacock, FInnstown House

2009-06-19T14:43:00.001+01:00

Go Faster!

2009-06-05T09:31:00.001+01:00

Bouncy castle

2009-06-03T12:14:00.001+01:00

Dragonflowers

2009-05-30T14:38:00.001+01:00

Purples

2009-05-29T10:08:00.000+01:00

Basking in the Sun

2009-05-26T17:04:00.001+01:00

River, West Cork

2009-05-23T14:25:00.001+01:00

Old Gnarled Tree

2009-05-23T09:49:00.002+01:00

Free Tibet (Florence Protest April 2008)

2009-05-22T10:11:00.004+01:00

The Free Tibet protest in Florence last April (2008) reworked for a friend's article on the subject.

Stone Wall

2009-05-21T14:05:00.001+01:00

My photo as Cover Art

2009-05-16T14:55:00.004+01:00

I've recently co-published a collection of poetry Pagan Paeans - it's the first anthology of the PPP. While my co-editor Simone L A Hogan worked wonders on the formatting the covers fell to me.

I used a photo I took in Orkney, in 2007 of the Ring Of Brodgar stone circle. Then chopped and changed until it fitted the "look" we wanted for the cover - I think the end result was good.

The anthology is now on sale at Cafepress, or directly from us (Ireland and UK) All proceeds go to keeping the PPP online and provide a fund for competitions etc. The PPP publishes poetry, prose, shortstories and journals from authors whose viewpoint is non-conformist spiritually and/or intellectually.

Throw the Ball, Throw the ball!

2009-05-15T13:53:00.001+01:00

Along came a Spider

2009-05-13T09:15:00.001+01:00

First Holy Communion

2009-05-12T11:46:00.002+01:00

Flutterby

2009-05-09T15:37:00.000+01:00

For I have looked upon the face of god....

2009-05-09T09:30:00.000+01:00

Cat in Montecatini Alto

2009-05-08T09:19:00.003+01:00

I can't believe it's over a year since our honeymoon...we started in Montecatini Terme, a spa town in Tuscany and spent many a happy hour up the mountain in the old town Montecatini Alto. On one of our wanders we encountered this fat black cat sunning himself and watching the tourists.

Temple

2009-05-07T09:41:00.002+01:00

More Gimping

2009-05-06T09:16:00.001+01:00

Spring Magic Gimped

2009-05-05T09:38:00.002+01:00

I finally got to sit down last week and really explore Gimp. A friend of mine did a wonderful photo of her husband and kid in the woods, in black and white with only the little man's blue coat picked out in colour. I was both impressed and jealous so I set myself a task (results above) and went through it step by step until I managed it. Delighted with myself :) I also realised there's a lot more going on with Gimp than I imagined; so I am going to have a lot of fun exploring it.

Spring magic # 2

2009-05-02T14:01:00.003+01:00

Happy Bealtine

2009-05-01T13:43:00.002+01:00

Well Baal is with us once more and the Summer is upon us.

'Bealtine'

The fires were extinguished at dusk;

doused, dampened, across the

belly of the land.

The last inspiration of twilight,

fading with the dying rays of sun

denying the existence of hope.

The rushlights and candles

standing in brown pots

snuffed out with ruthless decision.

Breathless and wanton

She welcomes the dark

finding perfect acceptance.

A rapidness, daringness, derangement

of wood on skinfulness, sinful the way

they dance against the gathering night.

Cool breath of death

against overheated limbs

brushing against mountain ranges.

Hidden the contours of valley and hill

From the eyes of greed and envy

And on they dance still, heavy with desire

Pausing with expectations

refusing extolments of false praise

insisting on the truth of cruelty.

Til light streaks and nudity is warmed

By the rising sun, colour restored

In a land overlooked

The mid-time, the time of forgetting

The removal of knowledge

The trampling of self.

Til light steaks and reawakens

In a land unobserved, the tumultuous waters

Unaltered in course by the reappearance of light.

And the union of dark and lucid

Galvanizes the sleeping soul

of rush bordered lake and pebbled beach

And the call of the curlew opens up

The soft turf and heather of the marshy

straights, straddling the west

slight lines of silver traverse

the sleeping Eriu, the stretchmarks

of rebirth.

The Fires are relit at dawn, reborn

with tongues of merriment

sending messages across the face of god.

Rivers of silver this time,

free-flowing, pushing the days out

So that evening meets dawn.

Geraldine Moorkens Byrne

White Blossom

2009-04-30T14:32:00.003+01:00

Just to remind myself of the glorious Spring weather the weekend before last lol

And tomorrow is Bealtine, and the start of Summer. Baal's fires lit, and the climb towards the shortest day is begun in earnest. It's hard not to get excited even in the teeth of the last two summers' disappointing weather; I'd love to be able to predict a long hot summer (although apparently the UK weather office has!) but at least the evenings will be long, the nights short and flowers will bloom....

More flowers from last weekend

2009-04-28T08:58:00.000+01:00