Carrowkeel

Carrowkeel

A place I’ve often longed to visit but, between one thing and another, never had and indeed I never thought I would. Some time ago, there was a disgraceful act of vandalism done to this sacred site, and the area was closed to the public. I was surprised and delighted to find it had been reopened, and this was the perfect way to end my birthday journey of ancient places.

Uaimheanna na Céise / The Caves of Kesh

Uaimheanna na Céise / The Caves of Kesh

I can’t think of a more wonderful day to spend my birthday, the 21st September, than a visit to two amazing ancient sites, Keshcorran and Carrowkeel, both filled with history, mythology and wonder. These two places have been on my bucket list for ages, so this was particularly special!

Cónocht an Fhomhair ar Sliabh na Caillí

Cónocht an Fhomhair ar Sliabh na Caillí

This year the Autumnal Equinox landed on the 22nd September, a time to celebrate the dawn sun lighting the inner chamber of Cairn T on Sliabh na Caillí on the Loughcrew hills.

Cuilcagh

Cuilcagh

We didn’t exactly pick the best day weather-wise to visit the Cavan Burren park on the 18th March but even with the wind and rain, and even a hint of sleet, this place is well worth the visit.

Ó Chontae Lú go hArd Mhacha/ From County Louth to Armagh

Ó Chontae Lú go hArd Mhacha/ From County Louth to Armagh

Another day exploring! Our camper mightn't be working but still nothing like a fry-up on a camping stove in the back of the car and the obligatory cuppa Barry's Tea, especially down by the shore of Carlingford Lough in the town of Omeath. The views across to the Mourne Mountains and Warrenpoint are just beautiful.

Turas go Cuan Mó / A trip to Clew Bay

Turas go Cuan Mó / A trip to Clew Bay

The first Sunday in November was the perfect weather for a day trip to Clew Bay, which took just under the three hours. That mix of sun and showers, blue sky and dark threatening clouds, is the ideal backdrop for such a magnificent landscape.

Poseidon and the Greek Isle of Nisyros

Poseidon and the Greek Isle of Nisyros

Not exactly Celtic Myths, but there are a few similarities and after just arriving back from a few days to the Greek Isle of Kos, I thought I'd do at least one blog about it.

Ráth Cruachan agus Uaimh na gCat. Rathcroghan and Oweynagat, the seat of Maedhbh.

Ráth Cruachan agus Uaimh na gCat. Rathcroghan and Oweynagat, the seat of Maedhbh.

Yesterday we had a fantastic tour of Ráth Cruachan or Rathcroghan and the mysterious Uaimh na gCat, Oweynagat.

A Dolmen, a Healer and an Abbey ....a visit to Galway and Roscommon.

A Dolmen, a Healer and an Abbey ....a visit to Galway and Roscommon.

In the middle of May I took a different sort of day out, travelling across to Kilconnell, near Ballinasloe in County Galway.

Huntingdon Castle - Duckett’s Grove - Brownshill Dolmen

Huntingdon Castle - Duckett’s Grove - Brownshill Dolmen

On the May Bank Holiday, we took a road trip to Carlow on a lovely late Spring Day (meteorologically speaking). Carlow is a county often overlooked on the tourist trail, which is a shame as there is so much history to be seen, from ancient to more recent times.

Cill Chainnigh/ Kilkenny, land of witches, saints and ancients

Cill Chainnigh/ Kilkenny, land of witches, saints and ancients

A very un-Spring like day saw us heading down Kilkenny direction in search of ancient and Medieval historical sites. With a biting wind and some torrential showers, we took the more scenic route rather than the motorway, and there were enough bright sunny spells in between, to allow us to enjoy the landscape.

Wicklow Walkabout, Ar shiúoloid i gCill Mhantáin

Wicklow Walkabout, Ar shiúoloid i gCill Mhantáin

Such an enjoyable trip to Wicklow in early February '23. Wicklow is one of the few counties in Ireland with a name that originates from the Viking era, and in its original format "Vykyngelo" it meant the "meadow of the Vikings". The Irish name Cill Mhantáin has a completely different origin!

Lá i gCill Dara. A Day in Kildare.  Rathangan, Killeen Cormac and Mullamast forts and graveyards.

Lá i gCill Dara. A Day in Kildare. Rathangan, Killeen Cormac and Mullamast forts and graveyards.

The first day trip of 2023 took us south to County Kildare and to a number of sites, with various, interesting and in one case, a treacherous story. The three destinations were, Rathangan, Killeen Cormac and Mullamast.

Tigh an chnoic /Ticknock and the "Fairy Castle"

Tigh an chnoic /Ticknock and the "Fairy Castle"

The day before Halloween, myself and a pal headed up to the “Fairy castle” at Ticknock on top of Two Rock mountain on the outskirts of Dublin. The name Ticknock comes from the Irish Tigh an chnoic, or the house of the hill and is a fantastic amenity so close to the city.

Poll na mbrón/ poll na brón (Poulnabrone) Dolmen, County Clare.

Poll na mbrón/ poll na brón (Poulnabrone) Dolmen, County Clare.

Sunday the 23rd of October 22, we decided to set off on another road trip, a bit longer this time, in our trusty camper Éalú. Looking at the forecast, it appeared the best weather would be in County Clare and sure enough as we began to head south, the torrential rain abated, and we were driving in bright sunshine.

Inis Badhbha, (Boa Island), County Fermanagh

Inis Badhbha, (Boa Island), County Fermanagh

On Sunday the 16th of October we decided to take our camper Éalú on another day trip. As usual, I was hoping to visit some ancient site and decided to head north, purely because the weather forecast was dire and it appeared we’d have at lease till late afternoon before the impending heavy rain caught up with us.

Fuar Chnoic (Fourknocks) cairn, County Meath

Fuar Chnoic (Fourknocks) cairn, County Meath

Sunday the 2nd of October 2022 took myself and my partner on our first trip in our newly converted camper (more about that another time!). We decided on a short, day outing to a place I’ve long wanted to see, Fourknocks cairn, on the Dublin/Meath border. I first heard of this fascinating place maybe six or seven years ago so it was about time I visited! 

Autumn Equinox, Sliabh na Caillí, Loughcrew 2022

Autumn Equinox, Sliabh na Caillí, Loughcrew 2022

Having a birthday at Equinox time is always special, especially when you’re lucky enough, as I am, to live in sight of one of the most wonderful ancient sites associated with this changing of the seasons.

Mainistir an Fhobhair, Fore Abbey. County Westmeath

Mainistir an Fhobhair, Fore Abbey. County Westmeath

There's something special about the village of Fore. From the moment you enter between the old gates (now to the side of the road), you can feel that sense of the past. It's a place I regularly go for a walk and it's like walking back into another time.

Sliabh an Rí, King's Mountain,  Meath

Sliabh an Rí, King's Mountain, Meath

Not exactly a road trip but more a trip up the road and yet I had actually never visited this fine example of a "standing stone".  Up a lane, which is borderline comfortable in a car,  the gate to the field is around the bend and facing you. The stone itself can't be missed as it's very obvious once you make your way to the gate.

"Fionn MacCumhaill's Fingers" Cavan.

"Fionn MacCumhaill's Fingers" Cavan.

While waiting for my daughter recently at drama rehearsals in Cavan town, I took the short drive out to Shantemon Hill to see "Fionn Mac Cumhaill's Fingers" ( Finn McCool) and took the opportunity to do another quick sketch.

Binne Ghulbain, Ben Bulben, Sligo

Binne Ghulbain, Ben Bulben, Sligo

Lá iontach ar shiúlóid ar thíós Binne Ghulbain. Bhí an tírdhreach galánta agus is Sliabh draíochtúíl agus maorga é Binn Ghulbain, le dlúthbhaint aige lenár mitaseolaíochta.

A wonderful day on a walk at the bottom of Ben Bulben.The scenery was gorgeous and Ben Bulben is a magical, majestic mountain with strong connections to our mythology.

Sliabh na Caillí, Loughcrew at sunset

Sliabh na Caillí, Loughcrew at sunset

Ó luí na gréine san iarthar go n-éirí na gealaí san oirthear ….. from sunset in the west to moonrise.in the east.  In the middle of August we had a brief really hot spell, not something we get so often and what was an unbelievably balmy evening, myself and my daughter Shauna took a short trip up Sliabh na Caillí. 

Cnoc na Riabh, Knocknarea

Cnoc na Riabh, Knocknarea

In early August I got to visit the wonderful Queen Maedbh's cairn, on Cnoc na Ríabh (Knocknarea or the "hill of the ridges") in County Sligo. It's so called as it is said that the warrior queen of the Ulster Cycle is buried there, upright and in armour, facing her enemies in the north. This cairn has never been excavated and so there is a mystery about what lies within.

Dún na nGall, Donegal

Dún na nGall, Donegal

Contae álainn, lán le scéalta agus ár dteanga dúchais. A beautiful county, full of stories and our native language, Donegal was more than I ever realized. It was years since I'd been there but this visit in July was different as I took a week off by myself to do a course in Irish in the Gaeltacht, the Irish speaking area. Only since returning to our native tongue, do I understand the depth of history and mythology that are reflected throughout our land. 

Contact Details

Margaret McKenna
Carrick Eighter, Virginia, Co. Cavan, Ireland
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Art to me, is storytelling a means to visually capture the atmosphere and tell the tales behind our landscape or capture the essence of that person’s character.

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