Fairytale of 1987 . . .
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts continuing here!)
Even tho' it's one of my favorite songs (of the season or no), I try to limit postings of the song or video to one occurrence a year (around this time). Having posted recently to my Facebook timeline for 2013 - that should have been it - but wait, there's more!
I submit to you: this clip from from the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon show of December 11th, featuring Iron & Wine, Calexico, Kathleen Edwards, and Saint Glen Hansard covering the Pogues' "Fairytale of New York." No match for the original or the Official video for the song (released in Ireland, November 1987), this has got to be one of the best subsequent cover performances of "the best Christmas song ever recorded!" Iron and Wine (Samuel Beam) brought a certain warmth to the male vocal, but it was Kathleen Edwards (playing to Beam's female counterpart), and the Calexico signature horn (trumpets) section that stole the show, IMHO!
Now, I just figured out why this song resonates so much with me: 1987 was the year I spent a month (December, at that!) in Ireland, travelling alone, and meeting up with Irish Ex-pats (house painters/part of the video production crew from San Francisco), home for the Holidays. That trip, I spent little time in the Westport area (my usual home base), instead dividing my time between Dublin and Cork - Ireland's two largest cities. With the urban experience (and driving!), came the constant exposure to radio broadcasts and pop music - and this song by The Pogues was everywhere, it filled the air.
It was (and is, every time I hear it) . . . transcendent.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
The Light of Ireland - Night 3
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts continuing here!)
Here is the continuation (as our days in Eire continued well into the nights!) of Day 3 - the Light of Night! - with another entry from Michele Houghton's journal from The Nocturnes' recent adventure on Irish soil.
Welcome back to the adventures of The Nocturnes while we explore County Mayo in Ireland.
After a short rest and a wonderful dinner (again) it was off for our nocturnal wanderings.
Dinner tonight was tomato and basil soup, beef bourguignon, colcanon (mashed potatoes and cabbage), cooked carrots, steamed snow peas, and rhubarb crumble for dessert.
Our guide/driver on this visit to Ireland is Olcan Masterson. He is a very interesting character. He is always happy and always has a story to tell. Besides being a tour guide is also a well-travelled musician. He has traveled the world playing the Irish flutes and tin whistles. Tonight his band is playing in a pub in Westport. On our way to Westport, we traveled along the one lane back roads of Westport along the top of the drumlins to pick up Dave who also plays in the band. This was definitely an adventure.
The band and guest musicians played from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM. At 10:30, some of the photographers went out to wander the streets of Westport. The sky was just transitioning from sunset to night. The European countries are on holiday this week, so there are a lot of tourists in town or passing through. We were able to get some interesting shots of the waterway and bridges. We had some pleasant and interesting conversations with some of the tourists and the drunks wandering the streets.
At midnight we had to return to the van much to our dismay. We were just getting warmed up. By the time we got back to the van, the shades were being pulled on the pub and the door was being locked. Another Irish day was completed.
Hope you sleep well.
Michele
Michele
___________________
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts continuing here!)
Here is the continuation (as our days in Eire continued well into the nights!) of Day 3 - the Light of Night! - with another entry from Michele Houghton's journal from The Nocturnes' recent adventure on Irish soil.
Welcome back to the adventures of The Nocturnes while we explore County Mayo in Ireland.
After a short rest and a wonderful dinner (again) it was off for our nocturnal wanderings.
Dinner tonight was tomato and basil soup, beef bourguignon, colcanon (mashed potatoes and cabbage), cooked carrots, steamed snow peas, and rhubarb crumble for dessert.
At midnight we had to return to the van much to our dismay. We were just getting warmed up. By the time we got back to the van, the shades were being pulled on the pub and the door was being locked. Another Irish day was completed.
Hope you sleep well.
Michele
Michele
___________________
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
The Light of Ireland - Day 3
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts continuing here!)
Here is another entry from Michele Houghton's journal from The Nocturnes' recent adventure on Irish soil - The Light of Ireland.
The day dawned overcast on Day 3 of The Light of Ireland adventure. We knew the marine layer would not last long as the temperature was forecast to be very warm.
Our hosts provided us with a wonderful Irish breakfast of fruit, yogurt, eggs, and Irish bacon. Then it was back in the coach to explore the mountains of County Mayo.
Our first stop was just outside of Westport at the beautiful Mohar Lough. This serene little lake is hidden just on the outskirts of the village.
We then started meandering down a country road. This road takes us to the backside of Crough Patrick. Along the way we saw the sheep being herded off of the mountain by the sheep dogs. Oh, and I found the house I am going to buy. It is at the base of a mountain, at the back of a valley, and I would only have 2 other neighbors.
For lunch we had a picnic in the Sheffrey Mountains - just past my new home of Barnaderg (Irish: Bearna Dhearg, meaning "red gap"). We sat on the side of the mountain and watched the reflections of the clouds paint Tawnyard Lough wondrous colors. The scene was constantly changing. I could of sat there for days and watch the world roll by. We were occasionally greeted by hill walkers who were walking the Western Way. (The scene would have been perfect if we weren’t being harassed by biting black flies and midges.)
We stopped for a pint at Delphi Mountain Resort. This resort provides spa services and extreme sport opportunities. It is also where you can pay up to $200 to fly fish. Prince Charles is a frequent guest. The resort is also near Doo Lough, which is another lovely lake.
Doo Lough is another location of a famine memorial. Each year there is a famine walk at this location to remember the hungry of Ireland and of Africa. Olcan played us a song at the memorial on his tin whistle that he played when Archbishop Desmond Tutu joined the Famine Walk.
We got a news update from the radio as we were heading home. March was the wettest month on record. But Ireland is now officially in a drought and water rationing has begun. Tomorrow the temperature is forecast to be 77 degrees F. Today in the sun it felt like high 80s.
We headed back to Hillcrest House for an early dinner. Olcan, our guide, is a flutist and his band is playing at a pub in Westport tonight. So our plan is to go to the pub and then photograph Westport.
Michele
___________________
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts continuing here!)
Here is another entry from Michele Houghton's journal from The Nocturnes' recent adventure on Irish soil - The Light of Ireland.
The day dawned overcast on Day 3 of The Light of Ireland adventure. We knew the marine layer would not last long as the temperature was forecast to be very warm.
Our hosts provided us with a wonderful Irish breakfast of fruit, yogurt, eggs, and Irish bacon. Then it was back in the coach to explore the mountains of County Mayo.
Our first stop was just outside of Westport at the beautiful Mohar Lough. This serene little lake is hidden just on the outskirts of the village.
We then started meandering down a country road. This road takes us to the backside of Crough Patrick. Along the way we saw the sheep being herded off of the mountain by the sheep dogs. Oh, and I found the house I am going to buy. It is at the base of a mountain, at the back of a valley, and I would only have 2 other neighbors.
We stopped for a pint at Delphi Mountain Resort. This resort provides spa services and extreme sport opportunities. It is also where you can pay up to $200 to fly fish. Prince Charles is a frequent guest. The resort is also near Doo Lough, which is another lovely lake.
Doo Lough is another location of a famine memorial. Each year there is a famine walk at this location to remember the hungry of Ireland and of Africa. Olcan played us a song at the memorial on his tin whistle that he played when Archbishop Desmond Tutu joined the Famine Walk.
We headed back to Hillcrest House for an early dinner. Olcan, our guide, is a flutist and his band is playing at a pub in Westport tonight. So our plan is to go to the pub and then photograph Westport.
Michele
___________________
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
The Light of Ireland - Night One
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts continuing here!)
Well, we awoke from our nap to a wonderful meal. We had home-made garden pea soup with mint, salad, carrot salad, potato salad, haddock tart, and berry crumble with cream and custard. Excellent!
Then we took a walk down to the bay to scope out some subjects for our first night of shooting. At 9:00 PM we gathered our night gear and headed down the road to the Mary of the Road statue.
Afterglow did not start until 10:30 PM. At 11:15 PM we walked back up to the house. Sunset still could be seen in the distance over the ocean. We then walked up the hill behind the house to play with some light and try-out our cameras. By 11:40 PM there still was too much light in the sky to see any stars. The stars may have been out by midnight, but by then the clouds had obscured the sky.
With this knowledge, night photography does not begin until midnight on a summer Ireland night. We will probably be doing some all-nighters in the week ahead.
Now we are off to bed. Breakfast is at 8:30 AM and then we hit the road!
Michele
___________________
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts continuing here!)
Well, we awoke from our nap to a wonderful meal. We had home-made garden pea soup with mint, salad, carrot salad, potato salad, haddock tart, and berry crumble with cream and custard. Excellent!
Then we took a walk down to the bay to scope out some subjects for our first night of shooting. At 9:00 PM we gathered our night gear and headed down the road to the Mary of the Road statue.
Afterglow did not start until 10:30 PM. At 11:15 PM we walked back up to the house. Sunset still could be seen in the distance over the ocean. We then walked up the hill behind the house to play with some light and try-out our cameras. By 11:40 PM there still was too much light in the sky to see any stars. The stars may have been out by midnight, but by then the clouds had obscured the sky.
With this knowledge, night photography does not begin until midnight on a summer Ireland night. We will probably be doing some all-nighters in the week ahead.
Now we are off to bed. Breakfast is at 8:30 AM and then we hit the road!
Michele
___________________
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Thursday, October 03, 2013
The Light of Ireland - Day One
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts continuing here!)
Well now, here we go - with Michele Houghton's journal from The Nocturnes' recent adventure on Irish soil - The Light of Ireland.
As mentioned, we are excerpting portions of it, starting today, with her entry from our first full (VERY full!) day in Ireland - a night entry to follow! The full version of all entries should be available as a PDF Download in the near future; meanwhile, ENJOY!
___________________
First Day in Ireland, Tuesday, July 16th
"Well, the gang has assembled. The Light of Ireland team is a bit worn out, but we were able to successfully shoot the ruins of a historic friary. We are operating on just an hour or two of sleep in the past 36 hours. We drove about 3-hours from the airport (with some stops along the way) to our bed and breakfast.
Our home for the next eight days is Hillcrest House outside of Westport. Hillcrest House is an old country farmhouse outside of the town of Westport in County Mayo. The house is only used for photography travel tours. We have the whole house to ourselves but we have a chef and maid service. The dinner menu for tonight sounds quite delectable.
So far on our adventure we have: seen a cattle drive down the highway; stopped at the Anglers Rest pub in Headford, County Galway, for tea and scones; visited the Ross Errilly Friary; visited Westport for lunch and a stop at the bank; watched the Ireland army close and guard the bank while money was transferred. While the money was transferred in little bags back and forth to the van, 5 army officers with automatic machine guns protected the bank. And no one was allowed to leave or enter the bank until the transfer was complete. It was quite an interesting event.
Well, I guess that had better be all for now. I am supposed to be taking a nap. I hope all is well at home.
Michele
___________________
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The Nocturnes in Ireland 2013
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts continuing here!)
Here is a little "blurb" that is about as close to a journal or diary as I get. All images are either iPhone or screenshots.
Look for a more detailed account of our travels in Ireland when we post excerpts from Michele Houghton's Journal from the trip - appearing in this space SOON!
BTW - you really should view the book FULL SCREEN!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts continuing here!)
Here is a little "blurb" that is about as close to a journal or diary as I get. All images are either iPhone or screenshots.
Look for a more detailed account of our travels in Ireland when we post excerpts from Michele Houghton's Journal from the trip - appearing in this space SOON!
BTW - you really should view the book FULL SCREEN!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Friday, September 13, 2013
Anthropomorphic Nocturnes
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts continuing here!)
I don't know what it was, about this last trip to Ireland . . .
Guess it all started, early on in the Photo Tour, with Olcan's comments about the mysterious disappearance of a sign at Doo Lough (an emotionally and historically-charged location in the West of Ireland) - all that's left now are the two posts that previously held the inhospitable warning. So with iPhone in hand, I composed what I thought was a clever (tho' hardly new!) arrangement of elements, with the tops of the posts lining up with the distant shoreline of the Lough.
This "creeping-in" of human forms and visages, followed us over hill and dale, from abbey to other timescapes.
Titles of images, top to bottom:
The Sign
Celtic Cross (Eyes), Augustinian Friary at Cong
The Aughagower Three
Evil eye teapot, Coole Park . . .
We are back in America now, and plan to continue with these posts about this past trip, Ireland-at-large, future tours, and travel in general. And Good News - we have a return trip to Ireland scheduled - October 1-11, 2014!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Only slightly MIA . . .
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts starting right here, right now!)
MIA? - Missing In [North] America, that is! And, well now - wasn't that a great adventure? Ireland 2013. As mentioned, we had PLANNED to blog our images, observations and commentaries, while in Ireland - and as you've probably figured out - that didn't happen! We all were having WAY too much fun; getting by on 4-5 hours sleep every night - and no worse for wear! Note: one person on the Tour was able to keep an online, private "diary" about our itinerary, travels, discoveries - which we're working on as a post in this space sometime soon! As close as I came to a visual (or otherwise) recording in real time, were the Instagrams (http://instagram.com/instatimb) I did while on Tour - with my customary oblique take on things!
We are back in America now, and plan to continue with these posts about this past trip, Ireland-at-large, future tours, and travel in general. And Good News - we have a return trip to Ireland scheduled - October 1-11, 2014!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29 - with follow-up posts starting right here, right now!)
MIA? - Missing In [North] America, that is! And, well now - wasn't that a great adventure? Ireland 2013. As mentioned, we had PLANNED to blog our images, observations and commentaries, while in Ireland - and as you've probably figured out - that didn't happen! We all were having WAY too much fun; getting by on 4-5 hours sleep every night - and no worse for wear! Note: one person on the Tour was able to keep an online, private "diary" about our itinerary, travels, discoveries - which we're working on as a post in this space sometime soon! As close as I came to a visual (or otherwise) recording in real time, were the Instagrams (http://instagram.com/instatimb) I did while on Tour - with my customary oblique take on things!
Rossanrubble, Clew Bay, Newport, Mayo
Now, perhaps you've seen some of the work done on the trip via our e-newsletter, The Nocturnes in Ireland 2013 Flickr Group - http://www.flickr.com/groups/2013ireland, or the above-mentioned Instagrams. In addition, we faithfully posted to Facebook while in Ireland at http://www.facebook.com/tim.baskerville - if you haven't seen the work, plan to visit some these sites, soon.We are back in America now, and plan to continue with these posts about this past trip, Ireland-at-large, future tours, and travel in general. And Good News - we have a return trip to Ireland scheduled - October 1-11, 2014!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Friday, July 12, 2013
Last Minute Travel Tips
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Well, here we are on the "weekend-eve" of our little trek to Ireland! Hope you all are sufficiently excited!
Here, also are some last minute items to note - one I just discovered - the other a forecast of note, weather-wise . . .
I've included this weather forecast from The Weather Channel (see graphic) for our first 5 days in Ireland. I checked out a number of sources - forecasts vary widely (91 degrees Fahrenheit on Thurs 7/18 - well, maybe . . .) Note the high temps, generally mild conditions, and lack of rain! Remember, tho' - all forecasts are subject to rapid change as the hours unroll!
And this, from the TSA Web site:
Tips For Safe Travel with Batteries
"Keep batteries and equipment with you, or in carry-on baggage - not in your checked baggage! In the cabin, flight crew can better monitor conditions, and have access to the batteries or device if a fire does occur."
(There are other points to consider on this page and subsequent links)
This one is news to me, but just to fall in on the safe side, in might not be bad idea to pack batteries with your camera gear in Carry-On. Perhaps it will mean a little bit more time at security check, but who knows what might await you when you pick up your checked bag!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Well, here we are on the "weekend-eve" of our little trek to Ireland! Hope you all are sufficiently excited!
Here, also are some last minute items to note - one I just discovered - the other a forecast of note, weather-wise . . .
And this, from the TSA Web site:
Tips For Safe Travel with Batteries
"Keep batteries and equipment with you, or in carry-on baggage - not in your checked baggage! In the cabin, flight crew can better monitor conditions, and have access to the batteries or device if a fire does occur."
(There are other points to consider on this page and subsequent links)
This one is news to me, but just to fall in on the safe side, in might not be bad idea to pack batteries with your camera gear in Carry-On. Perhaps it will mean a little bit more time at security check, but who knows what might await you when you pick up your checked bag!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Monday, July 08, 2013
Sunday, July 07, 2013
Friday, July 05, 2013
Walk in the forest . . .
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Near the Sheeffrey Hills.
Image by Tim Baskerville
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Near the Sheeffrey Hills.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Ballintubber Abbey
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Ballintubber Abbey, founded in 1216 - sure to be on our itinerary for one day of the photo tour!
Image by Tim Baskerville
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Ballintubber Abbey, founded in 1216 - sure to be on our itinerary for one day of the photo tour!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
FENAIFF
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Little over a week away . . .
So, this Saturday, Susan and I will be enjoying the "First Ever Nearly/Already in Ireland Film Fest" (FENAIFF)!
Films, in order of appearance, include:
Waking Ned Devine (previously mentioned here) - 91 min
Once - 85 min
Michael Collins - 133 min
If you've a chance before departure, these films are HIGHLY recommended!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(Fenaiff . . .looks Irish!)
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Little over a week away . . .
So, this Saturday, Susan and I will be enjoying the "First Ever Nearly/Already in Ireland Film Fest" (FENAIFF)!
Films, in order of appearance, include:
Waking Ned Devine (previously mentioned here) - 91 min
Once - 85 min
Michael Collins - 133 min
If you've a chance before departure, these films are HIGHLY recommended!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(Fenaiff . . .looks Irish!)
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Slievemore
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
On Ireland's largest island - Achill Island - at the southern slope of Slievemore Mountain, lies the "Deserted Village at Slievemore." Comprised of 80-100 unmortared stone cottages, running for about a mile on a lonely country road, they are thought to have originally served as seasonal dwellings (following the cattle grazing and pasture cycles). However, shortly after the Great Famine (Irish: an Gorta Mór, meaning "The Great Hunger") of 1845-1852, the village was deemed deserted, its history frozen in time . . .
Image Copyright Tim Baskerville
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Image Copyright Tim Baskerville
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Friday, June 28, 2013
More Travel Tips
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Caution:
I thought I had figured out a clever way to deal with the charging of multiple electronic devices while in Ireland, using your basic power strip (with or without surge protector) and an Adaptor Plug for Ireland. Well, it seems, not so fast . . . the general wisdom on the internets leans toward NOT using power strips that have surge protection, on/off LEDs, etc. - with a number of respondents recommending not using any kind of power strip, unless they are visibly rated as Dual Voltage - "120/240v, 50/60Hz" - don't even know where you'd find such things!
An aside here:
I swear that I used basic U.S. power strips plugged into an Irish Adaptor back in the mid 1980s, for lighting (1000w Lowels!) on a video shoot, without any problems. Still, I don't want to chance it this time.
Also, I thought about bringing a rechargeable Ryobi flashlight - turns out the AP8400 charge is listed as 120V/60Hz - so I guess that is out, too! No problem - I've got Surefires, with plenty of 123A 3-volt batteries in tow!
Lesson: check the dual voltage status on all items you are plugging into the three pronged Irish electrical Adaptor (See earlier post) and forget about the power strip - devote ONE Adaptor per device, if planning to charge simultaneously.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Caution:
I thought I had figured out a clever way to deal with the charging of multiple electronic devices while in Ireland, using your basic power strip (with or without surge protector) and an Adaptor Plug for Ireland. Well, it seems, not so fast . . . the general wisdom on the internets leans toward NOT using power strips that have surge protection, on/off LEDs, etc. - with a number of respondents recommending not using any kind of power strip, unless they are visibly rated as Dual Voltage - "120/240v, 50/60Hz" - don't even know where you'd find such things!
An aside here:
I swear that I used basic U.S. power strips plugged into an Irish Adaptor back in the mid 1980s, for lighting (1000w Lowels!) on a video shoot, without any problems. Still, I don't want to chance it this time.
Also, I thought about bringing a rechargeable Ryobi flashlight - turns out the AP8400 charge is listed as 120V/60Hz - so I guess that is out, too! No problem - I've got Surefires, with plenty of 123A 3-volt batteries in tow!
Lesson: check the dual voltage status on all items you are plugging into the three pronged Irish electrical Adaptor (See earlier post) and forget about the power strip - devote ONE Adaptor per device, if planning to charge simultaneously.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Time Travel Tips - 1973
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
"Only Our Rivers" by Planxty, with vocals by Christy Moore, 1973
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
"Only Our Rivers" by Planxty, with vocals by Christy Moore, 1973
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Travel Tips
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Wow! In three weeks time, we'll be in Ireland! Lots of planning has went into the trip - lots of excitement, too! - soon, all we (as a group of like-minded travellers) have to do is just land in Shannon and just BE . . . in Ireland!
Here are a few more tips on what to pack, what to expect, etc., some of which you may already know - if so, let's review:
What time is it?
Ireland is 8 hours ahead of us (Greenwich Mean Time + 1 for summer time) - so, when it's 7pm on the west coast of U.S., it is 3am in the morning in Ireland.
What about the "coin of the realm?"
The euro is the currency of the Republic of Ireland.
One euro consists of 100 cent.
Notes are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500.
Coins are 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2.
As of this writing 1.00 EUR = 1.31060 USD
Credit and Debit cards with Visa/MC/AmEx logo are widely accepted. Don't pack Travelers Checks or $100 dollar bills - they won't be accepted.
How do we power up?
Ireland's power supply is 230v 50hz and uses different plugs and sockets (like those used in the UK). If the equipment you need to plug in is dual voltage AND dual frequency it will be marked as such - "120/240v, 50/60Hz" near the UL listing - and all you need is an adaptor like the one shown.
There are some at Hillcrest, but it might not be a bad idea to have your own (don't forget the "cheater plug") - as well - especially if you're staying on after the tour, as we are.
What about weather?
July is the warmest of the year in Ireland - up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, on warmest days. Temperature readings in Ireland are noted as Degree Celsius. There's an elaborate formula to convert that figure to degrees Fahrenheit; an any number of smart phones apps to convert it automatically; but all you really need to know is that 10° Celsius is about 50° Fahrenheit; 15° Celsius is approx. 60° Fahrenheit; and 20° Celsius is very close to 70° Fahrenheit. And, that should do it!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Wow! In three weeks time, we'll be in Ireland! Lots of planning has went into the trip - lots of excitement, too! - soon, all we (as a group of like-minded travellers) have to do is just land in Shannon and just BE . . . in Ireland!
Here are a few more tips on what to pack, what to expect, etc., some of which you may already know - if so, let's review:
What time is it?
Ireland is 8 hours ahead of us (Greenwich Mean Time + 1 for summer time) - so, when it's 7pm on the west coast of U.S., it is 3am in the morning in Ireland.
What about the "coin of the realm?"
The euro is the currency of the Republic of Ireland.
One euro consists of 100 cent.
Notes are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500.
Coins are 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2.
As of this writing 1.00 EUR = 1.31060 USD
Credit and Debit cards with Visa/MC/AmEx logo are widely accepted. Don't pack Travelers Checks or $100 dollar bills - they won't be accepted.
How do we power up?
Ireland's power supply is 230v 50hz and uses different plugs and sockets (like those used in the UK). If the equipment you need to plug in is dual voltage AND dual frequency it will be marked as such - "120/240v, 50/60Hz" near the UL listing - and all you need is an adaptor like the one shown.
There are some at Hillcrest, but it might not be a bad idea to have your own (don't forget the "cheater plug") - as well - especially if you're staying on after the tour, as we are.
What about weather?
July is the warmest of the year in Ireland - up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, on warmest days. Temperature readings in Ireland are noted as Degree Celsius. There's an elaborate formula to convert that figure to degrees Fahrenheit; an any number of smart phones apps to convert it automatically; but all you really need to know is that 10° Celsius is about 50° Fahrenheit; 15° Celsius is approx. 60° Fahrenheit; and 20° Celsius is very close to 70° Fahrenheit. And, that should do it!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Ephemeris
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
While not an essential tool for each and everyone of you, on our trip to Ireland (I'll have the mobile app with me); The Photographer's Ephemeris most definitely worth a shout-out! TPE is a mapping app that helps landscape photographers plan their photo shoots in advance. Sunrise and set, moonrise and set, phase of the moon, as well as direction of these bodies, as they move across the sky, are clearly indicated on topographical maps.
Note that TPE for the Desktop (both Windows and MAC) is FREE! - the mobile app is available on the App Store for iOS for $8.99 (an Android vers. is $4.99).
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(Map and data above are for Kilmeena - location of Hillcrest House - for July 21st, full moon waxing)
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
While not an essential tool for each and everyone of you, on our trip to Ireland (I'll have the mobile app with me); The Photographer's Ephemeris most definitely worth a shout-out! TPE is a mapping app that helps landscape photographers plan their photo shoots in advance. Sunrise and set, moonrise and set, phase of the moon, as well as direction of these bodies, as they move across the sky, are clearly indicated on topographical maps.
Note that TPE for the Desktop (both Windows and MAC) is FREE! - the mobile app is available on the App Store for iOS for $8.99 (an Android vers. is $4.99).
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(Map and data above are for Kilmeena - location of Hillcrest House - for July 21st, full moon waxing)
The Letter
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
Here we have - along the lines of "Kilkelly" (the letter that became a heart-wrenching song of emigration, blogged here) - a document that's a little bit "closer to home" and my own ancestors - a transcript of a letter from Michael Meers (son of Michael, senior) to Agnes Meers Reddington, from Ballina, County Mayo. All the life-events so matter-of-factly listed, and the language - and the honesty and emotion contained therein, I find moving, connected in some way . . .
_____________
"Behey Ballina
9th March 1931
"Dear Sister,
"My first letter to you in all my life and I am sorry to say it's not good news. Daddy died the 1st [of] February after 10 days illness but he was not keeping good for the last year. (May the Lord have mercy on him.) He died on Sunday [at] 12:30; he was waked in the house Sunday night and he was taken to the cathedral Monday evening [at] 4:30. There was high mass Tuesday morning 10 o'clock and the funeral left the cathedral [at] 11:30 for Leigue. There was two good funerals, the one from the house and the one from the cathedral. He was buried over Mother's grave and side by side of Catherine's and my little son Patrick, so it's a nice plot now, I must try and put a wall round it sometime as there are a great many of the graves walled in. It keeps other people from keeping too near and it's often the cause of making graves too narrow. I got the very best coffin I could Clem [? sic] and it was paneled and the best silver mounting I could. It cost £22 including the hearse, the high mass cost £7*10 and the rest of the burial cost me £17*20, so you can see I done everything I could, in fact more than I could, but I would not like to hear at any time that I did not bury him decent. I must say he died grand, no pain for the 10 days but always a kind of a sleep. He was annointed Tuesday before he died; he was annointed three times within the year. So he got a grand chance. The priest said that he was quite happy we were all at home when he died. He had no talk since Friday night, he just looked up at us just before he died as if to try and speak and then he passed quietly away. I would like if you would come home sometime so you would see the grave. Leigue is a nice cemetery, it's not like Kilgarvin, there are no stones? - it's very nice soil.
"Well, Sister, I suppose Daddy told you all about us. I have six in family and I buried two boys. One was only a baby but the other was a fine little boy?seven years?he died after an operation. I was very lonely after him but I suppose it's the best time he could die. He does not see all the trouble of this world and he has a better chance before God. Never the less, people are very selfish and they would sooner keep a child from God and risk the world. I suppose Daddy told you I got a room built since I came out here I did. As you know, the little room we had was very small and it was very hard to bring up a family. I got it slated, it's kind of big, it's 10 feet square inside. I might be able to get the kitchen and the other room slated sometime, so then the house would not be so bad. But things are not so good in Ireland, we had better times when England was looking out for us. I hope you do not think I am Pro-English when I say this, but I am saying what I think. It was easier to get money when England was in charge than it is now.
"It's more the big man's government now than ever and the working man is not as well paid. I see by the papers America is not very good. I hope that it will soon improve. Some parts of America must be all right, as there was a great lot of money came to Ireland last Christmas, just as much as when America was good. I would nearly know as I am [a] postman or what you call them over there: mail carriers.
"Well, Sister, no more to say this time and I am very sorry my first letter is not better news, but I think he got a nice age and I am sure he died a happy death, so we should be very thankful to God for the fine chance he got.
"Remain
Your fond brother
Michael
"Good bye
xxxxxxxxxx "
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
Here we have - along the lines of "Kilkelly" (the letter that became a heart-wrenching song of emigration, blogged here) - a document that's a little bit "closer to home" and my own ancestors - a transcript of a letter from Michael Meers (son of Michael, senior) to Agnes Meers Reddington, from Ballina, County Mayo. All the life-events so matter-of-factly listed, and the language - and the honesty and emotion contained therein, I find moving, connected in some way . . .
_____________
"Behey Ballina
9th March 1931
"Dear Sister,
"My first letter to you in all my life and I am sorry to say it's not good news. Daddy died the 1st [of] February after 10 days illness but he was not keeping good for the last year. (May the Lord have mercy on him.) He died on Sunday [at] 12:30; he was waked in the house Sunday night and he was taken to the cathedral Monday evening [at] 4:30. There was high mass Tuesday morning 10 o'clock and the funeral left the cathedral [at] 11:30 for Leigue. There was two good funerals, the one from the house and the one from the cathedral. He was buried over Mother's grave and side by side of Catherine's and my little son Patrick, so it's a nice plot now, I must try and put a wall round it sometime as there are a great many of the graves walled in. It keeps other people from keeping too near and it's often the cause of making graves too narrow. I got the very best coffin I could Clem [? sic] and it was paneled and the best silver mounting I could. It cost £22 including the hearse, the high mass cost £7*10 and the rest of the burial cost me £17*20, so you can see I done everything I could, in fact more than I could, but I would not like to hear at any time that I did not bury him decent. I must say he died grand, no pain for the 10 days but always a kind of a sleep. He was annointed Tuesday before he died; he was annointed three times within the year. So he got a grand chance. The priest said that he was quite happy we were all at home when he died. He had no talk since Friday night, he just looked up at us just before he died as if to try and speak and then he passed quietly away. I would like if you would come home sometime so you would see the grave. Leigue is a nice cemetery, it's not like Kilgarvin, there are no stones? - it's very nice soil.
"Well, Sister, I suppose Daddy told you all about us. I have six in family and I buried two boys. One was only a baby but the other was a fine little boy?seven years?he died after an operation. I was very lonely after him but I suppose it's the best time he could die. He does not see all the trouble of this world and he has a better chance before God. Never the less, people are very selfish and they would sooner keep a child from God and risk the world. I suppose Daddy told you I got a room built since I came out here I did. As you know, the little room we had was very small and it was very hard to bring up a family. I got it slated, it's kind of big, it's 10 feet square inside. I might be able to get the kitchen and the other room slated sometime, so then the house would not be so bad. But things are not so good in Ireland, we had better times when England was looking out for us. I hope you do not think I am Pro-English when I say this, but I am saying what I think. It was easier to get money when England was in charge than it is now.
"It's more the big man's government now than ever and the working man is not as well paid. I see by the papers America is not very good. I hope that it will soon improve. Some parts of America must be all right, as there was a great lot of money came to Ireland last Christmas, just as much as when America was good. I would nearly know as I am [a] postman or what you call them over there: mail carriers.
"Well, Sister, no more to say this time and I am very sorry my first letter is not better news, but I think he got a nice age and I am sure he died a happy death, so we should be very thankful to God for the fine chance he got.
"Remain
Your fond brother
Michael
"Good bye
xxxxxxxxxx "
The Graduate
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
As many of you know, I'm not much of a "gear-head" - in terms of the THINGS I need to make a photograph that is more-or-less in line with my vision of, and what I see, in the world around me. That said - there are a few exceptions: see the recent post ("Illuminati") below re: Flashlights; and one I'd like to mention here, now - Graduated ND (Neutral Density) filters, Grads for short.
Just a heads-up here - I believe Grads are an essential part of a landscape photographer's toolkit, especially for our upcoming Ireland trek! Sure, you might be able to pull out 2 f-stops of detail in a blown-out sky, from your RAW file, but I'm a firm believer in getting it right (or as close as one can) in-camera - before you even download the files. Years of shooting transparency films (both 35mm and Medium and Large Format) have burned in that work ethic. You can stil fine-tune that RAW file, after utililzing a Grad in the field! These handy little devices (the best ones, made of glass) help tame very contrasty scenes, from overcast bright grey-to-white skies, to brilliant sunsets from Western shores . . .
Highly recommended - maybe one in the largest thread size of your lenses and stepping rings to adapt for smaller lens/filter sizes! The 0.6 Designation for 2 stops difference between the dark (upper) portions of the filter and the clear area (bottom) should work for most situations. $20-40 at B+H.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(I have one word, for the Graduate . . . Plastics)
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
As many of you know, I'm not much of a "gear-head" - in terms of the THINGS I need to make a photograph that is more-or-less in line with my vision of, and what I see, in the world around me. That said - there are a few exceptions: see the recent post ("Illuminati") below re: Flashlights; and one I'd like to mention here, now - Graduated ND (Neutral Density) filters, Grads for short.
Highly recommended - maybe one in the largest thread size of your lenses and stepping rings to adapt for smaller lens/filter sizes! The 0.6 Designation for 2 stops difference between the dark (upper) portions of the filter and the clear area (bottom) should work for most situations. $20-40 at B+H.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(I have one word, for the Graduate . . . Plastics)
Saturday, May 25, 2013
The deal I'm making . . .
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
I remember, on an earlier trip to the West of Ireland - I believe it was in 1985 - and a brilliant sunny day; Susan and I were heading South into Galway on N84 (we had just come down from Mayo, where we visited with our good friend, photographer Ron Rosenstock). We were driving down a long plain, when we first heard a new song on the radio by Kate Bush. Seeing the rolling hills in the distance, just out of reach in time and space, it was clear that we had made quite a deal with god . . .
The song - obviously, deeply associated with that specific time and place, when first encountered - has reappeared in my memory sharing a history, with certain small personal events. Like the time Olwen (our first Golden Retriever) was off-leash in the Presidio of San Francisco, running free . . . and, she just kept going - something wild, untamed about those moments - when I wasn't sure she was even going to come back!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(With no problems . . .)
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
I remember, on an earlier trip to the West of Ireland - I believe it was in 1985 - and a brilliant sunny day; Susan and I were heading South into Galway on N84 (we had just come down from Mayo, where we visited with our good friend, photographer Ron Rosenstock). We were driving down a long plain, when we first heard a new song on the radio by Kate Bush. Seeing the rolling hills in the distance, just out of reach in time and space, it was clear that we had made quite a deal with god . . .
The song - obviously, deeply associated with that specific time and place, when first encountered - has reappeared in my memory sharing a history, with certain small personal events. Like the time Olwen (our first Golden Retriever) was off-leash in the Presidio of San Francisco, running free . . . and, she just kept going - something wild, untamed about those moments - when I wasn't sure she was even going to come back!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(With no problems . . .)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Waking Ned Devine
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
What with all the ruckus running about, regarding Powerball, the latest offering to the citizenry of California by the State Lottery - I thought I'd direct you all to a little film called "Waking Ned Devine." Set in the tiny fictional Irish village of Tulaigh Mhór (Tullymore), the film traces the lengths the village populace go to, in order to claim the Lottery prize that Ned has won - did I mention that he died of shock when he found out he had the winning ticket!
(Odds are . . . )
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
What with all the ruckus running about, regarding Powerball, the latest offering to the citizenry of California by the State Lottery - I thought I'd direct you all to a little film called "Waking Ned Devine." Set in the tiny fictional Irish village of Tulaigh Mhór (Tullymore), the film traces the lengths the village populace go to, in order to claim the Lottery prize that Ned has won - did I mention that he died of shock when he found out he had the winning ticket!
(Odds are . . . )
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Illuminati
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
In preparing for another Full Moon NPy Workshop in San Francisco, I was working on a "Flashlights for Light-Painting' handout, and thought I might do the same for our Ireland travellers. Over time, I have changed my view re: the tools I use, their size, and output, for this important aspect of NPy. This is due, in part to the new LED technology - now almost omnipresent - in the marketplace (even our revered MagLite now offers Focusing LED, 2-3-4 'D' Cell models!).
As you are probably planning to 'pack light' for the trip, consider this size comparison which might help you make your decision on what flashllight to bring along on the trip. Brands to look for include Surefire, Coast, And Streamlight. I am looking at a 500 Lumens Fury Flashlght by Surefire! It's about the same size as the Surefire in the picture above - will let you know how that works out!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, up in County Mayo, July 25-29)
In preparing for another Full Moon NPy Workshop in San Francisco, I was working on a "Flashlights for Light-Painting' handout, and thought I might do the same for our Ireland travellers. Over time, I have changed my view re: the tools I use, their size, and output, for this important aspect of NPy. This is due, in part to the new LED technology - now almost omnipresent - in the marketplace (even our revered MagLite now offers Focusing LED, 2-3-4 'D' Cell models!).
As you are probably planning to 'pack light' for the trip, consider this size comparison which might help you make your decision on what flashllight to bring along on the trip. Brands to look for include Surefire, Coast, And Streamlight. I am looking at a 500 Lumens Fury Flashlght by Surefire! It's about the same size as the Surefire in the picture above - will let you know how that works out!
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Translations
A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, County Mayo, July 25-29)
A brilliant 3-act play by Irish playwright Brian Friel - first performed in Derry in 1980 (with Liam Neeson as character Doalty). Should be required reading for Americans travelling to Eire for the first time - or second, or third . . .
Late August 1833, an exchange between Lieutenant Yolland and Owen (son of the local schoolmaster), working to translate local placenames into English for purposes of the survey map:
Yolland
Go back up to where the new school is being built and just say the names again for me, would you?
Owen
That's a good idea. Poolkerry. Bally Beg -
Yolland
No, no; as they still are - in your own language.
Owen
Poll na gCaorach,
Yolland repeats the names silently after him.
Baile Beag, Ceann Balor, Lis Maol, Machaire Buidhe, Baile na gCall, Carrair na Ri, Mullach Dearg -
Yolland
Do you think I Could live here?
Owen
What are you talking about?
Yolland
Settle down here - live here.
Owen
Come on, George.
Yolland
I mean it.
Owen
Live on what? Potatoes? Buttermilk?
Yolland
It's really heavenly.
Owen
For God's sake! The first hot summer in fifty years and you think it's Eden. Don't be such a bloody romantic. You wouldn't survive a mild winter here.
Yolland
Do you think not? Maybe you're right.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
On the shores of . . .
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013; with a personal Genealogical Research Extension, in and around Ballina, July 25-29)
Some of the locations used for the "In a Lifetime" video look like they could have been on the shores of Doo Lough (see below) - but in fact, the video was shot in Clannad's hometown of Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland.
Can't find translation of Irish lyrics at beginning of song - think I might have seen them somewhere - but it's been a while (1985).
("Torn asunder . . .")
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Doo Lough
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
Here is an image done down on Doo Lough in Connemara from my FIRST journey to the West of Ireland - thirty years ago! Expect those boats - or ones very similar to them - to be docked here when we visit in July.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Facebooking Ireland
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
Just in case you're on Facebook, you might have a look at some of the items I've been linking to, many of which deal with life (and Photography) in Ireland. Not to mention genealogy, history, The Gathering, Brehon Law, and Irish constitutional rights! Here's the link - http://www.facebook.com/tim.baskerville
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Friday, April 05, 2013
Trove of Irish Historical Artifacts
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
Thru the New York Times, this St. Patrick's Day, came news from Ballina (up in Mayo) of an astounding collection of Irish history.
Jackie Clarke (1927-2000) could be dismissed (and probably was) by some, as a bit of a "packrat" - but this much is clear now: This is an amazing collection of Irish documents and artifacts; some dating back to the 1700s, others reflecting the everyday life of the Irish in this remote part of Ireland, in the 20th Century.
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
Thru the New York Times, this St. Patrick's Day, came news from Ballina (up in Mayo) of an astounding collection of Irish history.
Jackie Clarke (1927-2000) could be dismissed (and probably was) by some, as a bit of a "packrat" - but this much is clear now: This is an amazing collection of Irish documents and artifacts; some dating back to the 1700s, others reflecting the everyday life of the Irish in this remote part of Ireland, in the 20th Century.
Included are some of the icons of Irish Republicanism and the fight for Independence, such as one of the few remaining original copies of the Easter 1916 Proclamation (Irish: Forógra na Poblachta), or the 'cockade' worn by Wolfe Tone in 1798 (Year of the French).
_______________
"To understand Jackie Clarke you must first understand County Mayo, in the west of Ireland. It is a landscape both inviting and forbidding, one of serene greens and rocky grays, megalithic tombs and medieval abbeys, famine roads, mystical mountains and the violent sea — all combining to assert the lingering presence of what has come before.
'You’re so close to the past all the time,' Ms. McCoole said."
(From the NY Times article by Dan Barry)
_______________
The Jackie Clarke Collection opens in April, housed in a landmark 1882 bank building on Pearse Street in Jackie's beloved Ballina.
We hope to book an "historical extension" to our trip to Ireland in July to see the Collection - sounds fascinating, and Ballina is where my roots are in Ireland!
Read the full story, and be sure to view the video about the life of Jackie Clarke.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Monday, April 01, 2013
Easter Monday 1916
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
"Easter 1916" - by the poet W.B. Yeats. And, more about the Easter Rising (Irish: Éirí Amach na Cásca) here.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
"Easter 1916" - by the poet W.B. Yeats. And, more about the Easter Rising (Irish: Éirí Amach na Cásca) here.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Sunday, March 24, 2013
"Your papers, please . . ."
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
For the tour to Ireland in July, if you've not renewed your U.S. Passport, you should be thinking about that at this time. I renewed mine about a month ago and was quoted 4-6 weeks turn-around (it came in about 3 weeks!). If you are a first time applicant for a U.S. Passport - you can probably add a little more time to the above.
For U.S. Mexican and Canadian Citizens, only a Passport is required for entry into Ireland (no Travel Visa).
Check out the State Department website for all the details.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
For the tour to Ireland in July, if you've not renewed your U.S. Passport, you should be thinking about that at this time. I renewed mine about a month ago and was quoted 4-6 weeks turn-around (it came in about 3 weeks!). If you are a first time applicant for a U.S. Passport - you can probably add a little more time to the above.
For U.S. Mexican and Canadian Citizens, only a Passport is required for entry into Ireland (no Travel Visa).
Check out the State Department website for all the details.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
The Light - and Spirit - of Ireland
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
Great news - our trek to Ireland IS ON !! - for July 15-25, 2013! Of course, we still have a few spots available - so, book early and book often (makes a perfect 'bucket list' gift)! Be sure to check back in to "The Nocturnes in Ireland - 2013" Blog for periodic missives about the trip, along with specific travel hints, inspiring images, musical treats, readings, and reflections on the West of Ireland - all suitable for Nocturnes travelling with us in July - or not (the "armchair travelers" amongst you)!
Check out the itinerary and other details of the trip here.
Check out the itinerary and other details of the trip here.
Recently, I picked up a CD (to further get in the mood . . .) called "The Spirit of Ireland." Normally, I don't care that much for compilations of music by different artists around a theme, or composer (Barber's Adagio notwithstanding); but this eclectic collection caught my eye with its broad range of artists, artistic syles, and Irish source material. From the standards ("Danny Boy" performed by the Jazz pianist Bill Evans in 1962) to the harmonic stylings of The Pogues ('Wild Cats of Kilkenny'), even including St. Glen Hansard with the Frames ("Rise").
Worth the price of admission - "The Foggy Dew" featuring Sinead O’Connor with The Chieftains - a tune which was showcased prominently in the movie "Michael Collins."
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
George Berkeley
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
"The eye, by long use comes to see even in the darkest cavern: and there is no subject so obscure but we may discern some glimpse of truth by long poring on it."
- George Berkeley (Irish philosopher, 1685-1753)
George Berkeley, also known as Bishop Berkeley (Bishop of Cloyne), was an Anglo-Irish philosopher, physicist, mathematician, whose primary achievement was the advancement of a theory he called "immaterialism" (later referred to as "subjective idealism" by others). This theory denies the existence of material substance and instead contends that familiar objects like tables and chairs are only ideas in the minds of perceivers, and as a result cannot exist without being perceived. Thus, as Berkeley famously put it, for physical objects "esse est percipi" ("to be is to be perceived"). Berkeley is also known for his critique of abstraction, an important premise in his argument for immaterialism.
The university town of Berkeley in California is named in his honour.
Image and links to lots more info here.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Sunday, March 17, 2013
The San Patricios
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
On this St. Patrick's Day, some little-known facts about the San Patricios during the Mexican-American War, in an article by Andy Porros.
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
On this St. Patrick's Day, some little-known facts about the San Patricios during the Mexican-American War, in an article by Andy Porros.
Also a link to the brilliant album by the Chieftains, produce by Paddy Moloney and Ry Cooder.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Postcard from Kilkelly, Ireland
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
Back in the glory days of video production on "Irish-American Televison" in San Francisco, Elizabeth Platt (of "The Irish Hour" on KUSF) once said "This song has been known to bring battle-hardened ex-Marines to tears!" Why the song, you ask? Well, it IS The Nocturnes, afterall - and 'cos, as I'm reminded: the past is never far away in Ireland, and the music is even closer . . .
Words and Music by Peter Jones, based on the true story of 10 letters written to Jones' great, great grandfather who left Kilkelly around the time of the potato famine. And yes, the real-lfe Kilkelly is in Mayo.
Recorded at Matt Molloy's (of Chieftains fame) pub, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland.
Pat and Becky Egan: vocals, guitar; Olcan Masterson: flute and whistle; Tom Doherty: accordion; Johnny Curtis: mandolin. (Olcan is our local Guide and driver for this trip)
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
Back in the glory days of video production on "Irish-American Televison" in San Francisco, Elizabeth Platt (of "The Irish Hour" on KUSF) once said "This song has been known to bring battle-hardened ex-Marines to tears!" Why the song, you ask? Well, it IS The Nocturnes, afterall - and 'cos, as I'm reminded: the past is never far away in Ireland, and the music is even closer . . .
Words and Music by Peter Jones, based on the true story of 10 letters written to Jones' great, great grandfather who left Kilkelly around the time of the potato famine. And yes, the real-lfe Kilkelly is in Mayo.
Recorded at Matt Molloy's (of Chieftains fame) pub, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland.
Pat and Becky Egan: vocals, guitar; Olcan Masterson: flute and whistle; Tom Doherty: accordion; Johnny Curtis: mandolin. (Olcan is our local Guide and driver for this trip)
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Who was/is Strabo?
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
Strabo (pron. stray-bow) was a Greek Geographer, Philosopher, and Historian living in ancient times (63 BC – 24 AD), His towering accomplishment, the 17-book "Geographica" preserved the work of many previous geographers (some dating back to Homer). We can learn a lot about the man, his life and times, by studying his work. Strabo's ability to turn basic observation - with insights from the worlds of Mathmatics and History - into Science is one reason why he is considered to be one of the most important of all the ancient geographers.
Strabo Tours was established in 2003. From Shaw Photography Guides: ". . . Strabo strives not only to show you the world and explore its breathtaking diversity, but to be inspired by it." With their "Photo Tour Collection" they work with many well-known (and travelled!) photographers, as well as extraordinary local guides for journeys that help increase the travellers photographic skills, while immersing them in the culture of the destination. We offer The Light of Ireland trip in July thru Strabo Tours.
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
From The [not so] Daily Nocturne
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Maigh Eo Nocturne
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
I gaze deep into the cold Maigh Eo night.
As long, lonely shafts of light
Search the darkened sky.
Searing 'cross rooftops, treetops
and low clouds seeded by turf-fires.
And for what?
A reason? Why?
When we've this symphony of stars,
In residence
Above us, all our nights and days.
(Copyright 2000, Tim Baskerville)
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
I gaze deep into the cold Maigh Eo night.
As long, lonely shafts of light
Search the darkened sky.
Searing 'cross rooftops, treetops
and low clouds seeded by turf-fires.
And for what?
A reason? Why?
When we've this symphony of stars,
In residence
Above us, all our nights and days.
(Copyright 2000, Tim Baskerville)
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