HX Report
Irishman in the Middle East
Trip Home – New Church
Posted on March 14, 2016
New Church (Teampall Nua – in the Irish Gaelic language).
New Church lies on the HX to Lough Gur road and sits on the edge of the lake shore. There is a great view across the lake to Grange House from the church grounds which MB has featured in some photos included in recent posts.
From the loughgur.com website:
“New Church replaced an older chapel which was used by the Earls of Desmond. The present structure dates from 1679 – a simple rectangular building. It was endowed with a chalice and patten which bear the inscription:
“The guift of the Right Honourable Rachel Countess Dowager of Bath to her chapel-of-ease Logh Guir, Ireland 1679”
The famed poet harper Thomas O’Connellan who died in 1698 in Bourchiers Castle is buried here in an unmarked grave as is Owen Bresnan (1847-1912) local poet and historian who composed Teampall Nua and Sweet Lough Gur side.”
Teampall Nua, Lough Gur, County Limerick
Photo Story – 4 of 7
Posted on August 17, 2015
The Islamic religious holiday of Eid Al Adha is the nearest thing that Muslims have to a Christmas. It’s a great family occasion and a big meal is consumed. It is a religious duty of all Muslims to sacrifice an animal at this time, normally a sheep or a goat. Cows, cattle, camels and others are also used when groups or extended families may pool together for the purchase of larger animals. The sacrifice is to honour the story from the holy book when Abraham gave thanks to God for sparing his son, after God had earlier tested Abraham by asking him to kill him. Abraham then killed a sheep as a sacrifice in thanksgiving. The same story appears in the Christian Bible, albeit both books state different sons names (Ishmael in the Quran and Isaac in the Bible). Read More
Weekly Photo Challenge – Inspiration
Posted on July 31, 2015
The natural beauty of MB’s homeland is always an inspiration every time he’s home to get out the camera and start clicking.
This shot is one of MBs from the New Year’s early morning mass by the frozen Lough Gur lake on 01.01.2010, which was a 10th anniversary celebration of a similar mass held to welcome the new millennium on 01.01.2000. MB attended that one also but alas did not have a camera. The priest inspires the flock on this particular morning with his sermon and all are inspired by the beauty of the surrounding nature.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Weekly Photo Challenge – Doors (2)
Posted on July 3, 2015
A statue of Pope John XXIII stand outside one of the front entrance doors at St Anthony’s Church, Istanbul.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Intricate
Posted on May 1, 2015
Church of the Holy Saviour at Chora, Istanbul. Visitors view the famous intricate ceilings frescos.
Goa – Basilica of Bom Jesus
Posted on April 17, 2015
The word ‘bom’ in Portuguese means ‘good’. Like ‘bon’ in French. But enough of MB’s language lessons! Read More
Limerick – The Redemptorists
Posted on December 23, 2014
The Roman Catholic Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (known as the Redemptorists) has operated in Limerick since 1854 and their impressive Church was completed in 1862 at the cost of GBP 17,000. The church is built in the Gothic style and is known as Mount St Alphonsus Church. It was designed by an English Architect called Thomas Hardwick, who also designed the nearby St John’s Cathedral. Read More
Photo 1 of 30: Faith
Posted on April 19, 2014
The Idea
Have decided to post a photo per day for 30 days, each based on a word or theme. Feel free to offer a challenge to MB in the comment box below – with your own word or phrase, as coming up with 30 ideas on his own will totally fry MB’s brain!
Photo 1/30
Being the weekend that’s in it, and seeing the thousands of Christians who took part in Good Friday (Easter) services yesterday here in Dubai in the Muslim Middle East (with camera in hand!), Photo Nr 1/30 is called FAITH. Thousands queued up after the 2 & half hour GF service to kiss the cross.
From the courtyard of St Francis Of Assisi Church, Jebel Ali, Dubai. 18 April 2014.
Istanbul – Christianity
Posted on April 10, 2014
Having spent the last two years in Saudi Arabia, it is interesting to see the symbols of Christian history (past & present) in Istanbul. No other religious practice or places of religious worship, other than those of the Islamic faith, are permitted in Saudi Arabia. Turkey has mosques and churches and synagogues for all to worship as they please. Read More
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