THE WEEKEND ROUNDUP and WEEKEND REFLECTIONS

Time for The Weekend Roungup and Weekend Reflections and today it is the letter I and Inside. These first 5 images were all photographed at Birr Castle in Ireland.  I start with two different types of IRIS.  

The Flag IRIS and the Bearded IRIS.

I found it very INTERESTING to find that Laurence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse and his mother were eminent photographers and her darkroom, which is also on show, is believed to be the oldest surviving example in the world.  

It was lovely to be able to see the INSIDE of their darkroom.

This is the INSIDE of Quarr Abbey which I visited recently 

near Ryde on the Isle of Wight and below Dinky and I are INSIDE this forest.

Can you see Dinky’s lovely dark IRIS?

I leave you with these boats with their REFLECTIONS INSIDE Bangor Harbour.

Many thanks for visiting and also for your comments.

GOOD FENCES

It is milking time at this farm I visited while in Ireland and these cows are certainly “fenced” in.  The goose with her goslings has only a tiny fence.

I am linking with GOOD FENCES.

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Grasses at Birr Castle

Grasses photographed at Birr Castle, Ireland.

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WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY

These images were taken from a very high bank at Birr Castle so not brilliant. The Camcor River rises on the western slopes of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. It is a primary tributary of the Little Brosna and these join in Birr Castle Demense.   The birds are a Dipper and a Grey Wagtail.

I am linking to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

Posts about Birr Castle

 and the fabulous telescope in its grounds will start on 3 September.

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THROUGH MY LENS - Portumna Castle (Part 3 )

Last week I showed you Part 1 and Part 2 of Portumna Castle and today is the final post on it.  It is situated on the shores of Lough Derg and when I walked down there I then came upon Portumna Priory. Later I walked throuh a forest, up the long lawn, into the formal gardens and eventually through the front gates after a wonderful day of leaning about the history of this castle and seeing the beautiful gardens.  I am linking to Through My Lens.

Portumna Priory is situated beside Portumna Castle.

Portumna Priory was a Cistercian chapel attached to the monastery of Dunbrody, Co Wexford. It was built c 1254 but was taken over by the Dominicans c 1426 when a papal indulgence was granted for its completion. The Priory was suppressed during the Reformation but was revived again in 1640. It came into the ownership of the Earl of Clanricarde in 1577. 

It was abandoned by the Friars in c 1712 and transferred to Boula. Patrick Sarsfield and Honora de Burgo were married at Portumna Priory on 9-1-1689. The Priory was used as a Protestant Church in 1762 until the completion of the existing Church in 1832. The Priory contains the tomb of the Earl of Clanricarde and his wife - but no details are available. The ruins are now a national monument, and are in very good condition indeed. 

I hope you have enjoyed this 3 part series on Portumna Castle.

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SUNDAY THOUGHT

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Psalm 112:4

Photographed in Ireland

Thanks you for your visit and comments.

Have a Blessed Sunday

SATURDAY CRITTERS

These photographs were all taken in Ireland and are of Llama and Alpaca.

I am linking to SATURDAY CRITTERS.

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WEEKEND REFLECTIONS and THE WEEKEND ROUNDUP

Time for The Weekend Roundup and Weekend Reflections and this week the letter is H and Horse. This HORSE has a HALTER on it and the cow has HORNS.  Then I spied some cattle and a HORSE HUDDLED underneath a tree trying to keep cool. The Donkeys were HUGGING each other and one was shy and had HIS HEAD HIDDEN, HOWEVER we can see HIS HIND quarters as well as HIS HOOFS.

One day, I watched a female Blackbird feeding Her HUNGRY fledgling (above) as was the Robin feeding HER HUNGRY fledgling.(below).

Above I end with my REFLECTION image 

which is possibly my FAVOURITE today.

Many thanks for visiting and also for leaving comments.