WIP

I looked out the window to see if the world had ended...
And I could not tell.
More whiskey I think, It will make things clearer.



From Pier To Here


Across to Leenaun

Experimenting with off site image storage. Shots from both sides of Killary Harbour, Irelands only fjord.

>Enter slightly deranged thoughts on the weather and the nature of Pain from Rsds
More thunder storms have been rattling my cage. And so much rain has fallen that I think it diluted my brain.
It has certainly left something with more that a passing resemblance to a lake in my back garden.
Kip is not impressed I might add.

In an effort to return my brain to its more normal, unbalanced state I will listen to a great deal of Tom Waits, drink a "little" and pop in a pain pill or two.

...Just to be clear - Pain Pill is not a pill to cause pain, quite the reverse in theory...

The only question that remains- Is it a software or a hardware problem. Even the profesionals dont know!
>Exit
Sorry about that, it had to be done.

Seriously, feeling a bit better today. I had more sleep yesterday that I had in the whole of last week. Also had a cinnamon sweet that traveled all the way from japan just to end up being eaten by me Mm mm Mm-mm thanks bro.

All being well, tomorrow I shall return to doing something..Anything

The North Cross
All that remains of this cross is the shaft and a part of the base, there is a smallt tenon projecting from the top, where the head of the cross would have fitted. It is carved on 3 sides with abstract human and animal designs.
Thought to date from around 800A.D.










The South Cross

Dated from the early 9th century, its surface is nearly entirely covered in interlacing patterns and large and small bosses. It has a crucifixion scene, but unusually it is in the shaft rather than the center of the cross, there are another two figurative panels on the sides of the base one of a horse and riders and the other of several small animals.















The Cross Of The Scriptures.
This cross was carved from a single piece of sandstone and dates from the 9th century. A clue to the origins of The Cross Of The Scriptures lies in a weathered inscription on its base it includes two names - Flann, High King of Ireland, and Colmán The Abbot of Clonmacnoise. The same names are recorded in the Annals of Clonmacnoise where they had collaborated in having a large stone church built (probably the Cathedral).
Regardless of the who and why it is an impressive monument and a highpoint in the stonecarvers art

The surface of the cross has been divided into panels, showing scenes including the Crucifixion, the Last Judgement, and Christ in the Tomb.

What you can see in my photos here are all replicas, the originals of the three crosses have been moved to the museum on site, to protect them from the weather.

Still a few more shots to go, hopefully tomorrow.
Click on any of the images for a larger version

The Only Way In, By Wing
A quick trip back in time, both in subject matter and in when they were taken. Nearly two months ago we took a little spin out to Clonmacnoise.

Cast Down Castle
Just shots of Clonmacnoise castle in this post. Built by the Normans early in the 13th century. It is the remains of a classic motte and bailey system. Its motte rises nearly 6 meters over the surrounding landscape and it is also encircled by raised earthworks which, around 2 and a half meters in height.

Undermine Me
Access to the castle itself is no longer allowed, for fairly obvious reasons. Standing at the bottom of the hill, looking up at these chunks of walls that feel like they are straining to tumble back to the earth, its hard not to feel a little apprehension.
But still an impressive sight that stays with you, I first visited Clonmacnoise years ago and this was my abiding memory of the whole site.

Still to come some of the many churches, round towers and high crosses that fill this monastic site.

A little sparrow was curious about the "chich chik" of my camera shutter, and he was not the only one.
Click For Larger Versions