Old meets new (shopping mall in Galway): These doors, so close together, off a main street; what and who for? In Galway’s Eyre Square. Sadly the inscription has worn away… or did he erase it? These look and feel like leather, but are made from recycled cork floor tiles: The ring was a clear signalContinue reading “Galway”
Tag Archives: Ireland
Decisions, decisions.
Decisions; every day, everywhere. Some wise, others less so, but sometimes they are forced upon us… Mallow racecourse, Co Cork, 1983. With just three minutes of fuel left, the captain of a gulf-stream jet put down on the only piece of level ground he could see. And there it sat. Jet aircraft don’t work wellContinue reading “Decisions, decisions.”
Protecting what’s precious.
Dublin Castle, in the centre of town, with a street view so totally underwhelming that even some locals don’t know it exists. The entry reveals a courtyard surrounded by a brick building. But take the tour anyway, since you’re already there. And that’s the best decision you’ll make all day. Beneath the castle lies theContinue reading “Protecting what’s precious.”
Over his dead body.
Passport control stopped the Belfast to Dublin express bus in the middle of nowhere. Three uniforms boarded; passports please! There was only one they couldn’t verify…. guess who! I explained that Dublin was the only place I could vote in the New Zealand elections which were closing the next day, not that my vote madeContinue reading “Over his dead body.”
When strangers become family.
There’s risk in making, or responding to, contact with distant relatives. Whilst it’s unlikely they are actual murderers, differences in character and expectations can be fraught. Thus it was with some trepidation that I reached out to folk in Ireland who share the same ancestors and, amazingly, are on the original farm. From their perspective,Continue reading “When strangers become family.”
You don’t need to abduct a child!
Well, the good news is that it’s no longer necessary to kidnap child an, should you wish to visit the zoo. And you should visit, especially in Dublin, with it’s total focus on endangered species programmes. There’s no parading of animals for human consumption. The habitats are designed to emulate the animal’s home territory, andContinue reading “You don’t need to abduct a child!”
She wanted to detain me…
Dublin Airport, Saturday 14th October 2023. A sea of green rugby jerseys catching flights to France for the world cup quarter final. Optimism fills the check-in halls. In the long queue for security checks, perhaps not wise for this lone New Zealander to brandish her kiwi mascot about, but I do it anyway. Immediately, teasingContinue reading “She wanted to detain me…”
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