Christmas magic in Moycullen

This post will be a bit different than the usual stroll through the woods or rambling through he countryside. This is going to be all about the magic of Christmas since it is hanging in the air already. And it is going to be all about the little cozy village of Moycullen, Co Galway.

If you happen to drive through Moycullen in the evening or late afternoon at this time of the year you will think that you are passing by the magical land of Christmas. 

Yes indeed, this happens to be the well-known and adored White Gable restaurant and the adjoining Enjoy cafe and shop, all sprinkled with Christmas lights from head to toe. The site in the darkness is magical and enchanting. It certainly beckons passers by to come over and discover all the delights and present possibilities inside!! And I am not even going to mention the sampling of all the fantastic menu options and yummy goodies available in there.

So join me for some urban exploration and a bit of Christmas magic in Moycullen and the White gable.

 

Work starts from early in the morning 

And when you pass, don't hesitate, just stop and drop in..... 

Christmas magic awaits  

Knockkillaree on the map

There is a lovely place just out of Oughterard called, Knockkillaree, fantastic word with fabulous spelling. In the beginning, when I just arrived here, it took me ages to remember how to write it.  

I am absolutely fascinated by the Irish names. I love investigating the Surveyors map and reading the local names of villages, rivers, loughs and so on.

Well, I am a map lover, I love to know where I am and I simply enjoy the view of a good detailed map. I am sure that there is someone out there that agrees with me. Reading maps is fun and can be very interesting and informative. I never go anywhere without a good map of the area I am visiting, not the tourist stuff, that has really nothing in it, but the serious, down to business, surveyor's maps with all the details and every little road. For my photo walks I like to go off the beaten paths and to investigate the tiny roads where the tourist don't go. And for that reason I need more information than can be found on a normal tourist map.

For example, if you have the usual map, you won't find Knockkillaree -  a fantastic little corner, just off the N59, on the way to Aughnanure castle. Only a few minutes after the golf course, on the left side, there is a little dirt road that sets off towards the Lough Corrib and The Waterfront House Country home - a fabulous bed and breakfast. I have heard only positive and happy comments from people that have stayed there.

This was my walking ground for a year and I loved it. The scenery is fabulous. You start through the bogs and then you are surrounded by gorgeous pines and the fabulous feeling of peace and the sweet aroma of pine needles. Fantastic combination.

Recently I went back and took a few shots. Those I share with you today.

With my photos I wish to put Knockkillaree on every map. 

Thank you for staying here with me 

The Last of the Summer Green

I was planning to make this post for a while and I know there are no excuses.
So here is the last of the summer green, it has been in my head since the end of September.

This year the warm weather kept the leaves nice and green for very long. Usually, about this time there are hardly any left but this year the maples are still gorgeous and colourful and the birches are pretty in their stunning and shimmering pale gold attire even if they look a bit raggedy after the storms over the last few weeks.

I am off for the next 7 days so I will be piling up material for the future blog post!! Yey!!
I can't wait myself!!

So for now the first thing I will do is send you the last of the green that I captured for you last month, the year the autumn stayed longer.

 

 Thanks for walking Oughterard with me.

 See you next time

GALWAY CITY secret places

Every city has its own special secret places that mean a lot to someone and sadly nothing to others. 

Galway is one of those magical places with incredible lively ambiance and a spirit of its own.
I have lived here for quite a few years and walked its streets with my camera in rain and sunshine, good weather, bad weather...you name it.

I will show you a few secret places and snapshots from different parts of town all taken in the last few years. Some are easy to find, others are not that readily revealed to anyone.

You need to know where to go to see the real secret places

   thanks for being here!!