HX Report
Irishman in the Middle East
Weekly Photo Challenge – Rise/Set
Posted on March 28, 2018
The Grange Stone Circle lies in MB’s HX homeland and dates from the Neolithic era, estimated to be approximately 5,500 years old. The circle is 150 feet in diameter and contains 113 stones, the largest weighing some 40 tonnes. Because of an embankment around the entire outside of the circle, it is thought that the circle had ritual purposes. But who really knows?!
On summer solstice (21 June) and on winter solstice (21 December), local (& not so local) people gather at the circle before sunrise to watch the first rays of the sun appear for the day that’s in it. Assuming cloud cover does not spoil the occasion, which it often does!
MB took this photo on early morning, 21 December 2017. A candle glows in the centre of the circle as people await the sunrise.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Earth
Posted on April 19, 2017
This week Cheri is asking for a scene that honours the outdoors.
Well, in Ireland we have tonnes and tonnes of nature, and tonnes of outdoors, all green and naturey. Is ‘naturey’ a word MB? Did anyone ask that question to James Joyce? MB replies. And quit with the inane questions lads. Pleezze.
Anyway, there is so much nature in Ireland, we can say that nature is second nature to the Irish. That’s clever MB. Yes, MB knows it is lads, now whisht up a while.
Yes indeed, the Irish are boggle eyed from all that emerald greenery. So to liven nature up a little, and prevent naturey over-familiarisation, the Irish are likely to throw in some music, at a whim, just to help nature out a little.
Here’s an example, from 21 June 2015, at the stone circle in MB’s HX homeland:
International Women’s Day – Minus 4
Posted on March 5, 2017
Saw and heard this lady play an Irish music piece on Solstice Morning, 21 June 2015, in the Stone Circle back in MB’s HX homeland (google ‘Grange Stone Circle’). The piece she was playing, as MB seems to remember, was The Culinn, which is an Irish air about an historic Irish warrior. She was an extremely talented musician and informed MB that she played with a national orchestra.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Shadow
Posted on February 10, 2017
Ok, Ok! MB knows that he has used this pic previously in the photo challenges, so quit your moaning. The theme is ‘Shadow’, and as MB is in possession (with full copyright) of the greatest shadow photo in the entire history of Shadow Photography, there was just no way he would not use his awesome shadow shot for this week’s photo challenge.
So, Ansel Adams (RIP – alas), Gregory Hysler, Steve McCurry and other MB Wannabees, eat your photo hearts out and gaze in wonderment at MB’s s**t-hot shadow shot (MB is also a poet!):
Evening of June 20th, 2015. Summer Solstice eve. Grange Stone Circle at HX, Limerick, Ireland. The setting sun throws a great tree shadow slap bang in the centre of the circle as a few suck-calves (Irish farming expression) laze in the evening sunshine.
Awesome or what?!
Wicked MB!!!
Weekly Photo Challenge – Morning
Posted on August 6, 2016
HX. Early morning, 21 June 2015. Solstice morning.
Sunrise & jet trails over the Grange Stone Circle; and a short while later, cyclists from a Limerick city club pass by on their way to the annual lakefront solstice breakfast.
Morning Sunrise
Cyclists
Ireland Trip Photos
Posted on June 10, 2016
MB was back amongst his own two weeks back and was shooting anything that moved. He gives you some random shots from his HX locality:
Weekly Photo Challenge – Treat
Posted on October 30, 2015
The challenge this week is ‘Treat’. Like having a treat – to eat (MB seems to be a poet, and he didn’t even know it!)
Anyway, MB was back in the homeland in June and was in the Grange stone circle on the morning of the Summer solstice sunrise. Where else would he be on that morning?! Heard this lady play an Irish air on her violin while standing in the middle of the circle. Was truly stunning. A real treat. MB did not know her personally, she was not local. Seems she was/is a member of the Irish National Chamber Orchestra and had traveled from afar to play.
The Irish air she played was/is called ‘The Chulainn’, which MB is almost 100% sure is written about a warrior from Irish mythology called Cu Chulainn. Must investigate that some more at another time.
The Chulainn air: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwxga8udIio
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.
Winter Solstice
Posted on December 22, 2014
Summer Solstice @ HX
Posted on June 19, 2014
MB is returning to the Irish homeland for a short break. Landing in Dublin tomorrow midday and then heading south-west to Limerick & HX. The following day, 21 June, is the day of the Summer solstice and MB will be up before dawn to take in the rising sun at the local Grange Stone Circle. Read More
Ireland Photo Of The Day Nr 12 – On New Year’s Day
Posted on January 1, 2014
Climb of Knock Fennel & walk around Lough Gur lake
Ireland Photo Of The Day Nr 1 – Winter Solstice
Posted on December 21, 2013
Winter solstice at Grange Stone Circle, HX, Ireland. 21st December 2013.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Good Morning! (Grange Stone Circle)
Posted on October 4, 2013
Good morning – circa 7am. Grange Stone Circle, South West Ireland. 21 June 2013. Summer Solstice Morning. The headstone throws a dramatic shadow across the center of the circle.
Weekly Photo Challenge: The Golden Hour
Posted on July 12, 2013
3 from The Grange Stone Circle on Summer solstice morning. 21st June 2013.
HX Report 