Reek Sunday 2012

A Sunday stroll ... for all my sins!
Click on the photo above to see more.

TWELVE

The Caves of Keash, Co. Sligo

Keshcorran hill is the location of 13 small caves at the foot of a steep limestone cliff. As with the Bricklieve mountains, this hill is of pre-glacial origin. The caves are small, but the portals are high enough to stand under. There is a large hilltop cairn situated on the summit at a height of 362m above sea level, making it the highest cairn in County Sligo - around 30m higher than Maeve's Grave on Knocknarea.
Some of the caves were explored in 1901 and again in 1929. Bones of reindeer, boar, wolf and arctic lemming were found, along with a large variety of birds, including rare or extinct species. Brown bears also occupied the caves for long periods. Early man was not a frequent visitor, but from the 8th to the 11th centuries there were more signs of human presence in the caves, such as remains of fires, animal bones, shellfish debris, various implements and articles of personal adornment. The ridge top was the site of ritual gatherings at seasonal festivals such as Lughnasa, until the last century.
On a recent visit with my son and his friend. we took some time out to admire the fine view which stretches all the way to Croagh Patrick, just visible on the horizon on the right 'thirds' axis.


View the scene Large HERE

Shrimping about the shores of Clew Bay

A really pleasant way to spend your time productively in Clew Bay as the tide comes in on the Mayo coast is to get yourself a net and bucket and comb the shrimp from the seaweed covered rocks. It's a very relaxing hobby and I believe you'll not get tastier shrimp anywhere on the Irish coastline!

Photo: Lumix LX5

Ballintubber Abbey, Co. Mayo

Ballintubber Abbey on a wet day in July. It's history goes back to pre-Christian times, people came from the east through Ballintubber on their way to the holy mountain on the west coast - now called Croagh Patrick.
When St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland in c.441AD, he founded a church at Ballintubber. The present Abbey was founded in 1216 by King Cathal O'Conor.

It is the only church in Ireland still in daily use that was founded by an Irish king.

Photo: Top - Lumix LX5 Bottom - Nikon D300s 

Doo Lough, Delphi Valley, Co. Mayo

A damp Summer day in Mayo when I took these at this beautiful part of the county. Seems it's always raining when I visit Delphi!