Uploads from fitzinthehome, with geodata

Earth & Wind = Fire !

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:52:05 -0700

Turf stacks high on the Arigna Mountains between counties Roscommon and Leitrim in the West of Ireland.

Ancient Ireland was heavily wooded and all that remains of this now is the extensive wetlands of bog that cover parts of the country. Much of these peat wetlands have been cut away to make turf for fuel. The turf which is essentially soil made up of rotted plant matter burns slowly with a very distinct aroma. Although larger bogs in the lowlands of the midlands have been commercially harvested by the state owned Bord na Mona (Turf Board) the less viable bogs are still harvetsed by traditional methods. By this method the turf is cut with sléan (sleane). This is a spade type implement modified to cut a sod in a rectangular block. These are then stacked to dry and once dried the turf is 'a 'saved' by storing in a dry or covered place.

Recent restrictions imposed by the EU on the cutting of turf from such bogs has caused much controversy in the West of Ireland where turf has been saved for fuel for many generations.

The ban is designed to preserve those remaining bogs and the biodiversity within them with energy requirements to be replaced by more modern 'green' methods such as wind turbines. The picture shows turf stacked to dry, while on the hills behind are some of the wind turbines stand sentry.

Shopping in the Rain

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:50:59 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

Wet and windy at the Victoria Square Shopping Centre in Belfast

Tobernalt Cross

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:07:13 -0700

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

A rosary beads left on one of the staions of the cross at Tobernalt Co. Sligo

GPO O'Connell St., Dublin

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:46:49 -0700

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

The General Post Office on Dublin's main throughfare, O'Connell St. is one of Ireland's most iconic and historical buildings. The building was opened in 1818 after 4 years of construction. Almost 100 years later on Easter Monday 1916 the building was the taken over by rebels opposed to British rule, who proclaimed an Irish Republic from it's steps. Although the rebels were defeated after less than a week of intense fighting throughout the city, the events of that week presaged the coming of a wider struggle which ultimately led to the establishment of independent Irish state.

During the fight the GPO was shelled and the subsequent fires destroyed the building and much of the city around it. The building was restored and reopened in 1929. In the years that followed the building has become a focal point for all manner of parades, protest marches and demonstrations. The great portico with it's rooftop statues of Hibernia, Fidelity, and Mercury (messanger to the gods) is one of Dublin's most recognisable images.

A Tree, A Lake, A Reflection

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:05:52 -0700

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

A tree reflecting on Lough Gill on winter's day.

Trinity College, Dublin

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:32:24 -0700

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

The Campanile in Parliment Square, Trinity College, Dublin. The university, which is the oldest in Ireland was founded in 1592. The campus is right in the heart of Dublin city and contains a number of courtyards, two playing fields and many wonderful old stone buildings.

Flight of Fancy

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 06:46:52 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

Two ducks taking flight at Cartron Sligo

Tall Pines

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:02:43 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

Trees in Winter sunlight in Union Wood Sligo

White Elephant in Yellow

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:41:38 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

This is a modern scuplture in the arrivals hall of Dublin Airport's Terminal 2. Terminal 2 was built at the heigth of the Celtic Tiger economic boom. Sadly the boom in air travel that it was built to deal with had largely disappeared by the time it was completed.

Mullaghmore Bay

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:41:49 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

Mullaghmore Bay from the harbour with the Dartry mountains in the background

What Cold Weather ?

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:36:44 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

These sheep in the shadow of Ben Wiskin mountain Co. Sligo seem immune to the cold with their wooly coats.

Ben Wiskin despite its distinctive shape is not near as famous as it's illustrious neighbour Ben Bulben, together they form part of the Dartry range which are north of Sligo.

Ironbridge Gorge

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:07:56 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

Ironbridge Gorge as seen from the Ironbridge itself. The gorge and the village take their name from the bridge which was cast locally in 1779 and was the world's first cast ion bridge. The technology used to construct the bridge was cutting edge at the time and its construction is credited by many as the start of the industrial revolution.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ironbridge

Light Catcher

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:53:18 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

Trees in Slish Wood Co Sligo catch the light after a rain shower.

Job Swap

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:54:45 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

An old goods truck from the old Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railways find a second purpose as a farm shed. The railway which opened in 1879 and closed in 1957 has left a legacy of stranded stations, rail beds, bridges and level crossings. The rolling stock and rails were auctioned off after the closure of the railway and can be spotted in the locality as fence rails, support beams etc.While goods trucks can be seen serving as garden or farm sheds

The railway which relied on steam to power its engines became inefficient in the during the war years due to a severe shortage of coal. Local wits of the time coined the phrase Slow, Late and Never Comes as the meaning of its SLNC initials. The Irish narrow gauge lines never recovered the traffic or the reputations that they lost during those years and closed during the years after the war leaving only the wider gauge main lines open.

River at Gleniff Mill Co Sligo

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:27:53 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

Bare trees at leaning over the riverbank at Gleniff Co Sligo

Sun and Water

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:21:03 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

A watery sun struggles to light the gloom at Doorly Park Sligo

Carrick by night

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:22:08 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

Ging's pub reflects on the river Shannon at Carrick on Shannon at night

Sunrise at Carrowkeel

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 04:53:01 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

Sun rising over one of the megalithic passage tombs at Carrowkeel Co Sligo Ireland. These tombs are over 5000 years older, predating the pyramids of Egypt. The tombs are dotted on the various hilltops around the Carrowkeel area and are aligned to face the Summer solstice.

Dom, Utrecht

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 04:52:33 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

The Dom Tower in utrecht is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands and was built in the 14th Century. The tower is open to the public and climbing it is a popular tourist attraction.

Canal at Utrecht

nobody@flickr.com (fitzinthehome) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:39:27 -0800

fitzinthehome posted a photo:

Very photoshopped shot of the canal in Utrecht