Eileen and I continued further down the coast ending at The National Trust property at Kearney village which has been restored to gave the authenticity of a traditional fishing village. It looks across to Scotland, the Isle of Man and the Mourne Mountains. The Trust owns the cottages and these have been restored in the vernacular style giving authenticity to this place of character.
I am going to tell you a bit about the history of this beautiful village, then at the end of the post I have a short video of Linnets that I shot at Ballyquintin Farm.
I took this photograph from inside the information centre.
These are the cottages that you first see when you arrive. All the cottages are rented, some are permanent homes however most are used as a second home and an escape from the stress, noise and trapping of ever day life.
I hope you can read the history from these photographs.
Now below is a story about a remarkable woman, Mary Ann Doonan.
This is Mary's fishing boat above.
As we passed some of the cottages, they had ornaments relating to the sea in their windows.
This seems to be the smallest of the cottages however I think the people live in it all the year round.
Please note the 4 colours used here. The black barrel, the red seat, the green door and the blue window sill. The cottages itself was always white. This is very typical of how these cottages were painted in Ireland years ago.
At the end of this path you see the sea but there is a path to the right and left covering several miles into other villages. On the coast you kind Gannets, Redshank, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Rock and Meadow Pipit and we saw some of these. (we took the path to the left)
We left Kearney and headed for Ballyquintin Farm where there is a coastal path which passes through farmland, rocky shore and beach and this area is managed by the National Trust but there is also the National Nature Reserve owned and managed by the Environment & Hertiage Service. We did not have time to explore all these area. (Eileen will just have to come back!)
Although we found a few birds at Ballyquintin Farm, we were fascinating to watch the 500 Linnets flying around and I made a short video clip of them.
It can be access at
If there is a black space below, click it and the video will appear.
I know that there was quite a bit of history in this post so I hope I have not bored you. We enjoyed learning more about this village and seeing the Linnets flying up and down together.
After all these years living in towns with the vast majority of people living in dull concrete boxes you don't know how nice those cottages look...........
ReplyDeleteHI Stuart You don't know how pleased I am to hear you say you liked the cottages because I nearly didn't put this post on as they was so much 'history' in it. So I veery muchthaks you for your comments.
DeleteWhat a wonderful little village this is. Like stepping back a hundred years in time and stressors. Love your video too. They are such fun, and love hearing your voice which is lovely!
ReplyDeleteHI Jeanne SO glad you enjoyed this post and you are my greatest fan for the videos. Very many thanks for your comments.
Deletebored NOT AT ALL, your information is always fascinating. The whiteness of the cottages/homes in Ireland was one of the features I found to be so beautiful..here the touchs of colour are lovely. Each fall we have groups of birds (name?) like the Linnets in the Camargue, masses of them just like in your video, I wonder if they are the same species?
ReplyDeleteHI Lynn Well you were right. Bloggers have enjoyed the post. Your birds could be Linnets but they could be other things as well. Glad you enjoyed the psot adn the little white cottages. Thanks for comment.
Deletequite a woman of character and will!
ReplyDeleteHi Yes, I don't think they make them like that nowadays. Thanks for comment.
Deleteoh i loved the history, i enjoy reading about strong women. what a great little town, i enjoyed the beautiful images as well!!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie I am glad you enjoyed the history and the images and thanks for comment.
DeleteOh another wonderful adventure you have shared with us. Those small white houses with the brightly colored doors, benches & windowsills are an absolute delight.
ReplyDeleteHI Deanna Glad you liked the little cottages and thanks for comment.
DeleteBeautiful photos of beautiful surroundings, Margaret.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Irma
HIirma Glad you enjoyed theimages and surrounding. thanks for comment.
DeleteFantastic post Margaret and I loved the video with those beautiful birds in their synchronized flying! Isn't there a song somewhere called Mountains of the Mourne? I think I remember my Dad singing it when I was a child. Loved all these photos, a place I would love to visit.
ReplyDeleteHI Denise funny you should mention the song 'the Mountains of Mourne' becasue after I post my australian post tomorrow, Eileen adn I wnet down to ssee the Mountains of Mourne adn the birds that ar around there. You should watch out for that. I am so glad you enjoyed this post with photos and video. You should come over and visit sometime.
DeleteAmazing vistas of the sea in the background, and those houses looking upon it.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Hi Mersad Yes sea on your doorstep.Wondrful. Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for comment.
DeleteI very much enjoyed the history and your photos. I'm glad the village has been restored.
ReplyDeleteHi George I am glad you enjoyed the history and photos and many thanks for your comments.
DeleteHi Margaret, it's Phil here.
ReplyDeleteThose pictures look not only like ireland but also some Scottish islands Margaret. If those cottages could tell a long, long story we would be transfixed. You seem to be having some good sunny weather - enjoy.
H PHIL Yes I am sure wewould be riveted if we could hear the stories about lifein the cottages. It is quite like parts of Scotland after all Scotland is not far away. Glad youo liked the post and thanks for comment.
DeleteHI Nora Glad you ennjoyedd the images and history. Thanks for comment.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting - and the Linnets are amazing.
ReplyDeleteHI Mick Glad you found this post very interesting and enjoyed the video with the Linnets. Many thanks for comment.
DeleteWhat a place to work in, if you could. Ha ha ha.
ReplyDeleteHI Bob Thanks for your comment.
DeleteI so enjoyed the info and photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this share.
Hi Willow I am so glad you enjoyed the images and history and thanks for comment.
DeleteHi Margaret!
ReplyDeleteI like posts. I love the history of the site.
Yours is very interesting
Beautiful homes. I admire the stunning scenery.
I send greetings.
Lucia
HI Lucja I am so glad you enjoyed both the history and the images. Thank for comment.
DeleteThe cottages and grounds are so beautifully kept! Who does this? It would be divine t have one as a little getaway and see all that beautiful nature up close and real every day!
ReplyDeleteHI Ginny As I said in the post it is owned by the National Trust so they have a man who looks after it. Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for comment.
DeleteA very quaint looking place and it seems most peaceful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a woman Mary Doonan lived to be. I am quite impressed with her. A fishing boat of all women - a women ahead of her time.
Loved the first shot of the boat in the window! A very nice still life.
HI Carletta Yes I love the first shot too. Mary was indeed a remarkable women in her day. I am so glad you enjoyed this post and I thanks you for your comments.
DeleteI like the looks of this quaint place and its peacefulness.
ReplyDeleteWhat a remarkable women Mary Doonan was. I am quite impressed with her accomplishments. A fishing boat with all women - she was a woman ahead of her time.
Really like that first shot of the boat in the window. It a wonderful still life.
HI Carletta It is indeed very peaceful at Kearney and a lovely place to de-stress as youwalk along the shore.
Deletehats off to Mary Doonan; some of the pioneering women had great fortitude!
ReplyDeleteHI Carole Yes Mary was a remarlable woman with great grit and determinatio. Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for comment.
DeleteThe small cottage looks so inviting. What a lovely place to live.
ReplyDeleteHi Pattis Yes isn't it lovely. Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for comment.
DeleteLovely place. Nice post! Thanks & Welcome for your comment and visit to my blog.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day!