Nenaghgal Visits Farney Castle - Home to Cyril and Margot Cullen

Tucked away in the countryside just outside Holycross in Tipperary, Farney Castle has an amazing story. The structure itself has existed since 1475 replacing an earlier timber framed castle built in 1185. The round tour- was built by Thomas Butler, the 7th Earl of Ormond. It is the only round tour in Ireland that is occupied as a family home. Home to Cyril and Margot Cullen and their four grown daughters, the castle has a rich history and is filled with wonderful crafts, artwork and furnishings.

Their daughters are incredibly talented as well as they are The Cullen Harpers (Four Irish Harps, Four Voices, Uileann Pipes and Concert Flutes). They have travelled worldwide and played in notable venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York and The Barbican Centre in London.

Here at Farney, Cyril Cullen, world renowned knitwear and porcelain designer, has his workshops and a retail outlet.

One drives up to the front of the castle and then enters through this archway to the retail premises in back.

Inside is a large room filled with Cyril's many porcelain figures. Made of fine Parian Porcelain, Cyril has sold these world wide.

I found the dove, featured above, quite delightful.

But he has a wide range of small figurines, mostly figures but also including animals.

A more contemporary vase series was designed by his daughter Margot.

In another area of the shop are his knitwear pieces. Cyril is well known for his Jacob Sweater which is made from the un-dyed wool of a rare breed of sheep, the Jacob. The Cullen's have their own flock which lives in the pastures surrounding the castle.

Luckily enough for me, his delightful wife Margot was there the day I visited and she gave me a personal tour. Margot has been thoroughly involved in the business and told me they were promoting Irish crafts back in the 70's over in the US. Clearly great ambassadors for Ireland over the years and continuing today.

I found some posters of wonderful black and white photographs.

This is the cover of a book that Margot wrote about Cyril - the two of them are featured on the cover. They have a simple website - Knotsure and you can find out a bit more info on them here but you can also by Googling them.

I did get to see inside the castle as well but I thought I'd save those photos for another day. There are loads of wonderful stories here!

Nenaghgal Heads to Lahinch, Co. Clare for Dog Surfing

On Sunday the 11th of September, Sophia, Sugar and I headed to Lahinch in Co. Clare because I'd heard on TodayFM on Friday that there would be dog surfing to raise money for Irish Guide Dogs. We left a bit late so arrived at the tail end of the event and there were loads of dogs tearing around on the beach- which Sugar loved as she'd never been to a beach before. But what really captured me was the beautiful images, surfers, the light and much more.

There is something about the beaches in Ireland that are so different from American beaches- they tend to be long and very wide and almost always very empty!

I loved the clouds here and the areas of water where the tide had receded.

And these tidal pools where Sugar dove in retrieving large tree like stalks of seaweed. Maybe it was kelp?

There was all this foam everywhere and it had blown down the beach and gathered in this one area.

I kept my eye on this surfer waiting for just the right moment to capture this shot- the red board is the key and then empty beach.

Here are Sophia and Sugar.

We should have really donned wetsuits so we could get into the water with Sugar and encourage her to really swim out into the surf.

Here's the one lone dog we were able to capture on a surf board. He looks happy doesn't he?

Nenaghgal FINALLY Visits the Cliffs of Moher

This past Sunday, Sophia and I headed to Lahinch and then stopped by the Cliffs of Moher on our way home as we were so close by. I've been meaning to see them for ages but it took me over 4 years to finally get there.

Believe me it was well worth it. What a spectacular day it turned out to be.

We even brought Sugar up on the walk to the cliffs with us- figured she could tell all her dog pals she's finally been too!

Here's Sophia a the lookout and below with Sugar.

The position of the sun somewhat hindered ideal shots but in a way it worked- the cliffs have this misty quality about them they make them seem even more magical and awe-inspiring.

In the visitor centre- I just loved this view out of the windows - leant itself well to a good image.

And from the outside its quite discreet in the hillside. Unfortunately because we had Sugar with us we could not go through the Visitor experience inside but frankly experiencing it from the outside was perfect.

O'Brien's Tower has the perfect view.

I know everyone who visits Ireland goes to the Cliffs of Moher but those of us that live here really should too. I'm all for being a tourist in our own country- there are so many amazing sights to see - you could do something every weekend of the year what with festivals, food events, castles, houses, gardens, natural beauty.

Where have you gone recently? Let me know!

Nenaghgal Takes in Union Square Market, New York

One of my favourite things to do on a Saturday, when I lived in New York, was to go to the Union Square Market on 14th Street. For many years I lived at 26th and 3rd so would get up early and walk down to Union Square, picking up a cup of Starbuck's coffee on my way and then I'd saunter through the stands with tables laden with unbelievable produce picking up bunches of this and that, hunks of cheese, bouquets of flowers and fresh loaves of bread.

This summer I went back for a visit and while I couldn't shop as we were only there for the weekend- I took it all in through the lens of my camera.

I found that this summer I worked on taking about 10 different versions of the same subject matter- an overall shot, closer details, isolating small parts etc. To me it was these amazing stacks of radishes and golden beets and onions that really caught my eye.

And then there is produce one dreams of- clear boxes of squash blossoms- I wanted to run off with several and stuff them and fry them up for a delicious starter.

And always a favourite - buckets of fresh colourful bouquets of flowers.

Okay, I admit it- there are things I miss about America- Union Square Market - I do miss you!

But I have to say English Market does give this a good run for it's money- but nothing beats a huge outdoor market under the hot New York summer sun. And of course now, I can just picture the autumn markets with piles of pumpkins, hot apple cider warming in a pot, a crispness in the air and leaves turning golden and orange all throughout the city.

Nenaghgal Visits the L' Orangerie at Fota House

My parents were visiting from the States recently and when we were heading back from Kinsale to Nenagh we decided to visit Fota House as it was a particularly miserable day at the start. But by the time we had toured Fota House- the skies finally cleared and we were able to have a good walk through the gardens before getting back in the car.

As Fota House and the lands are all situated on Fota Island, it creates the perfect shelter and warms the soil. In fact, Fota is derived from the Irish " Fod Te" - meaning warm soil. The island provides and ideal setting for growing and cultivating exotic plants and trees which is something the Smith-Barry Family recognized early on enabling them to develop the arboretum and gardens.

The arboretum and gardens were begun back in the 1840's and while we did no have time to walk through the arboretum, we did get through the gardens .

I particularly liked the l'orangerie and while there are not a lot of plants in it- the structure itself lent itself well to some beautiful images.

The glass roof was beautiful against the blue sky.

And I loved this play of pattern that the shadows and water created.

Unfortunately, the website does not mention the l'orangerie so I am not sure when this was built but I'll do some sleuthing and try to find out more. I guess I just wanted to do a simple post focusing on the images today.