My Camera Is My Paintbrush

Monday, July 16, 2012

Dunboy Castle near Castletownbere, West Cork

This hotel, the refurbishment of which was halted in 2011, was renovated from the ruins of Puxley Mansion which was built by Henry and John Puxley in 1739 and burnt to a skeleton by the IRA in 1921. Below images from the castle grounds. Taken October 2010.

This is surely an Alice In Wonderland walkway!

This scene reminds me of a Constable painting

What secrets does this room hold?

Saturday, July 14, 2012

December Snow - 2010

Tymon Park, Dublin

Maybe it's because I'm feeling quite chilly on this mid-July evening that I feel I'd like to share with you these amazing images from December 2010, anyhow, enjoy! Taken December 2010.

Tymon Park, Dublin

Our House

Our Front Garden

Friday, July 13, 2012

A Life On The Ocean Wave - Lambay Island

Last August hubby and I set sail from Malahide Marina, Dublin with our sea-faring friend on his thirty three foot yacht to see, for our first time, not his, the amazing Lambay Island. This is our largest island off the east coast of Ireland and we were very lucky to have had good weather conditions in which to appreciate its splendour.

Always a lover of all things nautical, I was delighted when our friend allowed me to take the helm for a while including allowing me to guide the yacht through two buoys which took every ounce of my concentration. I was so scared I'd crash I wanted him to stay beside me but no, he left me to it alone! The sense of achievement I felt following that great accomplishment defies words! He earlier taught hubby and I how to lower the fenders and also how to make the rope knots to secure the yacht to the wall. A great day was had by all. Taken August 2011.

Stradbally, County Waterford

Hubby and I spent a lovely couple of days here towards the end of January last year. While taking the below images of Stradbally Cove I was totally alone, not even a dog to be seen. I was really scared, firstly as I kept thinking the tide was suddenly going to come in and swallow me up and also I didn't feel too safe at the mouth of the cave as I visualized a huge hairy creature rushing out and dragging me into its lair! Taken January 2011.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Merrion Square Park, Dublin

My feeling is that Merrion Square Park is best viewed in the evening light and preferably, when nature obliges, after a rain shower. The light is amazing but sadly I'm afraid that my mobile phone camera, great as it is, cannot do justice to these precious moments in photography. Taken February and July 2011.

Friday, July 8, 2011

St. Stephen's Green Park, Dublin

This beautiful park, St. Stephen's Green, in the heart of Dublin city is where I head for when I've spent an exhausting day walking around the stores. There's a sense of tranquility about the place, perhaps it's the ducks gently gliding across the pond or the people sitting on benches lost in their own private worlds. They too probably come to seek refuge from the bustling crowds.

Three Fates Bronze Sculpture. A gift to us from the people of Germany for our help given to refugees following the Second World War.

Famine Sculpture by Edward Delaney

Last Wednesday was one such day for me and even though it had just started to rain I still sought sanctuary from the streets and weather here in my little piece of paradise. Taken July 2011.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Dun Laoghaire - Ireland's Own Riviera!

It's been ages since I last visited Dun Laoghaire, the beautiful seaside town just about ten miles outside Dublin. For the past couple of years I've been promising myself I'd go but something always cropped up to prevent me so last Tuesday I took the bull by the horns and "jumped on a bus to Dun Laoghaire" as the old Bagatelle song, "Summer In Dublin" lyrics go.

The day was a sweltherer, the sun so warm and the sky so blue that you'd be forgiven for thinking you were walking along a promenade on the French Riviera. Taken July 2011.

Enjoy!