Category: Irish Travel

Myross Wood House and Green Skiberreen

Myross Wood House, in Leap (pronounced Lep) has a long history of family life starting back in the 1700’s by the Rev. Arthur Herbert. It was also a retreat center housing priests and those that came for assistance. Today it is being revived by Pete Martin (Red Door Photography) and Trish Lavelle… as a community-involved centre for sustainability in West Cork, which is called CECAS-Center of Excellence for Climate Action & Sustainability.

Myross Wood House, in Leap (pronounced Lep) has a long history of family life starting back in the 1700’s by the Rev. Arthur Herbert. It was also a retreat center housing priests and those that came for assistance. Today it is being revived by Pete Martin (Red Door Photography) and Trish Lavelle… as a community-involved centre for sustainability in West Cork, which is called CECAS-Center of Excellence for Climate Action & Sustainability.

On these amazing grounds there are many outreach programs: Markets, Artist’s Studios, AirBnB rooms-which once housed priest and retreat goers, along with many more events and activities and many more to come.

I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful setting with Monica Jones, an amazing artist friend that is fortunate enough to have her studio in this stunning location. It is surrounded with all kinds of inspiration both through nature and the energy that it exudes.

There will definitely be a repeat trip to Myross Wood, as I think time steeped in history creating would be so inspiring. Since a child I’ve enjoyed history and all that you can both learn and glean from it.

The walled gardens, orchard and walking trails, are being slowly restored to their grandeur and will be a wonderful place for solitude and reflection over the years to come. There is a tremendous amount of love and passion being injected into these historic walls. I definitely felt a warm hug as I spent time walking the grounds and buildings.

Seeing what can be created and developed in these spaces is so inspiring. I love seeing these treasure give way for new development as opposed to having them empty and nature slowly taking back. More opportunities of this nature should be explored in all corners of this big wide world.

Thanks for having such amazing vision Peter and Trish! Look forward to seeing where your vision takes this amazing adventure.

Ireland in My Heart

Over this last year and a half I have really spent a lot of time longing for Ireland and the adventures that I have during my travels.

On Tuesday the blues, greens and grays along with the fragrances and sounds of the sea welcomed me back to where my heart is…Ireland. It feels like so long ago and yet only yesterday all at the same time that I have been here.

  • Sunrise in Baltimore, County Cork, Ireland

This morning I woke to a beautiful sunrise and breezes from the water. It is such a nice break from the long summer of heat at my home in Alabama. Although masks and distancing are still in place here in Ireland, I am still rejoicing in the ability to see new venues and vistas other than that of my home and studio. My studio for the next month is this beautiful countryside.

  • Breakfast with a view at Beacon Shore Guesthouse in Baltimore.

The slight chill in the air has brought out the burning of the turf and the wonderful fragrance of it burning. I always welcome the cool crispness of the evenings.

Follow along over the next month follow as I spend the days re-filling my creative soul in Ireland.

  • I’ll be make my way through this beautiful country finding creative inspiration
    and amazing people around every corner!

Bogs Are Like Pages of History

Treasures and inspiration are found in these layers of history that bring warmth and a distinct aroma to a cold, rainy evening in Ireland.

Many time I get asked travel questions about Ireland. When it comes to where to stay I always quickly respond with a local BnB. My reasons for this are always that you are getting to know those who know Ireland best…they were born and raised there. A favorite stay of mine was in Tipperary at a BnB called Old Farm hosted by Margaret & Alfie McCaffrey.

While spending a few days, Alfie took me to visit several local sites, foraging for mushrooms and answered absolutely any question this American Artist could come up with, in regards to Ireland and her ancestors.  I have to say one of my favorite sites was the Redwood Bog.  While walking the bog Alfie explained the process of owning part of the bog, harvesting turf, what makes the bog and the different plants that were in the bog.

Being a gardener I was totally attracted to several of the plants.  One of the plants that really caught my eye is the bog asphodel.  This plant produces spikes of beautiful bright yellow flowers in the Summer and the foliage turns a stunning burnt rust in the Fall.  This rusty orange color plays off beautifully against the lavender heather that also grows in the bog.  So if you can imagine the two colors together it will quite literally make you stop your car to take a look!  Along with these plants are also the bog cotton.  It is as its name would imply a plant which appears as a wispy boll of cotton.  When you see this plant there will be wetland and acidic soil beneath.

“A Walk in the Bog” | 14×11 | oil on board | SOLD

These waterlogged, nutrient rich patches of land are layers and layers of plant material that have decomposed over years and years of time.  It creates an entire ecosystem for wildlife and plants which has been a source of fuel for the residence for many years.  Between the layers of the bog are the stories of time.

The remains of animals and humans have been discovered, along with swords, ornaments, bog oak and many other wonderful gems can be found accidentally deposited over the years  in the bogs. Due to the properties of Sphagnum moss in the bogs, which has preservatives built into it’s cells, whatever dies or is covered in it will decay much more slowly and therefore have many more stories to tell of the past when discovered.

Bog Asphedol and Heather

I have found the bogs to be inspirational because of their history, intense beauty and significance to the people of Ireland over the years.  If you make it to Ireland please take the time to walk and discover these pieces of ground steeped in history and significance throughout the West and midlands of Ireland.