North Atlantic Skyline - - Photographs from the west of Ireland (Galway, Mayo, Clare, Limerick, Roscommon and even Leitrim)

Under sail

Tribute to Stoney Brennan. Inscription reads:In sweet remembrance/of his curative powers/to all his friends/in old Loughrea.

There is a lot of stuff happening in Galway this weekend. Loughrea was celebrating the Stoney Brennan festival. Poor Stoney - he was reputedly hanged for stealing a turnip during the Famine (a pretty far-reaching market correction in Ireland'). Things have not improved since his death - the bust erected in his honour is at the back of a car park, and usually obscured. It is also beside the public toilets. A plaque nearby has the following tribute:
In England they have Robin Hood/In Spain they have El Cid/In Loughrea Stoney Brennan/and guess what Stoney did. He fought no war of conquest/or freedom for that matter/But stole a poxy turnip/to grace his dinner platter.

Yesterday was an absolute cracker of a day, breezy, sunny and very warm. In Lettermullen, the Feile Chuigeil takes place over the whole weekend, featuring both Currach and Hooker Races. I went out to the hill overlooking Coonailleen Bay (Cuan an Mhuilinn), to watch the hookers race down to the month of Cusheen Bay. A mighty sight, with the golden beach at Finish Island shimmering in the sun, and the distant Twelve Bens holding up the sky, and holding off the rain.

This way to the commercial centre of Leitir Móir

The featured snaps are with my crappy digital camera - I'll post up a proper gallery when I get back my 'proper' snaps).

We headed down to Roundstone later - I fancied the catch of the day (ling) in O'Dowd's, and mighty fine it was too. And it didn't cost an arm and a leg either. We were in Clifden recently, and dear God, the prices…Watching the shadows of clouds zip across the face of the Bens reminded me that I had intended to climb Croagh Patrick today, as part of the annual climb - two years ago, the weather was just the same, and I was cooked, sunny-side up. They'll have to do it without me...

Posted by Monasette at July 27, 2003 07:24 PM | TrackBack