Tommie's Retirement Party, 12 February 2010

Ballynahinch Castle, 30-31 January 2010

We had a very relaxing weekend at Ballynahinch castle in Connemara at the end of the Big Freeze. Luckliy we didn't have far to drive from Galway. Ballynahinch Castle is located between Recess and Roundstone in Connemara.

Ballynahinch Castle has a long history. It was originally the home of the O'Flaherty clan, whose lands stretched to within 15 miles of Galway City on the east and into County Mayo to the north-west. The Martin family took over the estate in the mid-1600’s and they built the present castle in the early 1700's as an inn. A famous resident was 'Humanity Dick' Martin, founder of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). He was also quite well known during his life as a duelist. Prince Ranjitsinhji, Maharajah of Nawanager and famous Indian cricketer, purchased the estate in 1924 and developed much of the landscaping as well as the fishing piers and huts.

The grounds are beautiful, with the river and lakes set against the backdrop of the 12 Bens mountain range. There was also a cosy library with open fire, perfect for relaxing after dinner.

Ballynahinch Castle (our room is on the top floor, right-most window facing the river)

Our room

View from our Room

View of the Castle with Ben Lettery (one of the 12 Bens) in the BackgroundRoundstone, Connemara

The Big Freeze, Galway 9 January 2010

Christmas 2009

Another Christmas has rolled around, the last months of the year really flew by. We had some lovely crisp frosts this Christmas, which made for some very cold nights but blue sky days.

Abbey Hill Walk, 15 November 2009

A fine Sunday morning in November and I decided to take a walk just south of Galway in County Clare, on the southern shores of Galway Bay. The walk took in a small hill on the edge of the Burren, the area known for its karst limestone hills.

Diamond Hill Walk, 26 October 2009

Well, its been a long time since I posted any photos on my blog so I thought I'd put a few more entries on things that we have been up to in the last three months since our Italy holiday. Autumn turned to winter, the leaves dropped from the trees and there were extensive floods in November. But Marian and I did manage to get in a nice day walk at Diamond Hill, in the Connemara National Park which is at the very western end of County Galway. The views from the top were well worth the steep climb, including an aerial view onto Kylemore Lough and Abbey.

Italy Holiday 19-26 September 2009

Marian with Duomo in Background, Florence
Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Duomo, Florence



Campanile, Florence

Replica of Michelangelo's Statue of David

Me in Front of our Apartment, Ramazzano, Umbria

Our Pool, Ramazzano

Countryside, Ramazzano

Spello, Umbria

Assisi, Umbria

Marian in front of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Assisi, Umbria

Gubbio, Umbria

Horse Riding, Umbria

Perugia, Umbria

St Peter's Square, Rome

"The School of Athens" by Raphael, Vatican Museum, Rome