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 . . .)

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 . . . )

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

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 . . .

From Act Two
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 . . .")