HX Report
Irishman in the Middle East
I’m all shook up
Posted on September 14, 2015
The information contained within this post is not for reblogging or sharing. It is strictly and exclusively for HX blog followers. As it contains a revelation known only to a few. Read More
1st Morning Home
Posted on September 12, 2015
Back in the Irish HX homeland. Went for an early morning wander:
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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.
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Weekly Photo Challenge – Symbol
Posted on July 10, 2015
This weeks pic from MB indicates a holy well in MB’s HX homeland called St Patrick’s Well, the small cross over the small door symbolic of the holy water within. The well also gives its name to the immediate locality and nearby church.
Interestingly, the local people in years past did not refer to the water as ‘holy’ water, but rather by a old Gaelic word called ‘dineacht’ meaning ‘protection’. MB scooped a mouthful of the water into his mouth a few weeks back when he was home, so he is now fully protected again!
Weekly Photo Challenge – Doors
Posted on July 3, 2015
The round towers of Ireland were built between the 9th & 12th centuries, generally next to monasteries or other religious buildings. Some are up to 40M high. The doors were constructed in an elevated position to enable the monks or priest to take their chalices and other valuables to the safety of the tower by ladder when there was a threat from invaders. The ladder was then pulled up and the door locked securely. Once the invaders departed the monks would then reappear and resume normal duties.
Many of the towers survive to this day due to their aerodynamic curved shape which prevents storm damage. The tower featured below (on a foggy day) is in Lismore , County Waterford in Ireland’s south east.
HX – Animals
Posted on June 30, 2015
The cattle in Ireland look happier than Arabs in the Middle East!
So said an Arab work colleague of MB in recent days, on looking at a few of MB’s photos. Read More
Weekly Photo Challenge – Muse
Posted on June 28, 2015
Muse – A subject that keeps you coming back? – Brie Anne’s photo challenge this week.
MB has taken many photos of the Stone Circle at Grange in MB’s HX homeland in Limerick, south west Ireland in recent years. He found himself back there again last week for the summer solstice, and happened to drop in on solstice eve as the sun was getting low in the sky. A few of farmer Tim Casey’s young calves were relaxing on the grass in the centre of the circle in the very impressive (photographically speaking) shadow of the tree.
The entire scene gave MB yet another interesting shot, unlike any of those he had taken in the past. The muse continues to surprise & provide.
Homeward Bound
Posted on June 12, 2015
The Summer Solstice festival in MB’s HX homeland is nigh and MB is homeward bound.
Mid next week MB will be on a plane heading to the furthermost point in western Europe and will be in the thick of the HX festival action. Lots of events to whet the appetite including: a night time lake shore planet & star gazing event organised by a local astronomy group, sunrise at the stone circle on solstice morning (circa 5am), charity solstice sunrise cycle from Limerick city to the HX lake front, the ‘long walk for a long day’ event which will involve a 3 hour walk around the hills and farm land surrounding the lake area on solstice evening, and much much more. MB is like a kid waiting for Santa!
For festival events check out the the following: http://loughgur.com/summersolstice2015/
Maybe catch up with one or two HX followers over there. All most welcome.
To give non-HX residents and new-comers to MB’s HX blog a flavour on MB’s homeland, herewith to drool over.
62/38. Yes!
Posted on May 23, 2015
A lot in the international press about the Irish referendum of late. The 62/38 Yes vote was announced only minutes ago. Read More
Weekly Photo Challenge – Broken
Posted on May 22, 2015
Morning has broken. December 2012.
“Find beauty in something broken” said Cheri in this week’s photo challenge.
The first days of any trips back to Ireland are always a special treat. The somewhat boring sandy scenery of the Middle East gives way to the ever-changing weather and incredible scenery (even in winter) of Ireland’s south west. Morning Nr. 1 for MB often involves a pre-dawn rise from sleep and a walk along ‘our’ road with camera in hand. 21 December 2012 was one such morning and had great red skies. Was photo heaven. MB took this one, and many similar, 200m from his front door on that particular morning. No enhancement. Exactly as shot.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Early Bird
Posted on April 17, 2015
Sun worshipers await the Summer solstice sunrise at Grange Stone Circle, Limerick, South West Ireland on 21 June 2014.
The Keeper Of The Secret
Posted on March 5, 2015
In a graveyard near MB’s HX homeland stands a headstone with the following inscription:
John Murphy died this
11th day of October 1784
aged 219 years
May the Lord have mercy on his soul
A Little Slice Of Ireland
Posted on February 14, 2015
MB attended the Irish Football tournament in Qatar yesterday. For most of the day he could have sworn he was in Ireland! Read More
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