Glendalough, Ireland - The Valley of the Two Lakes

There is a magical, mystical place in a remote wooded valley, deep in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland. Some call it holy, many call it beautiful, but its name is Glendalough. Glen-duh-lock and it means Valley of the Two Lakes. It is a special place indeed. The woods which are now an Irish National Park are soft with moss and colored with that green light that only seems to shine in Irish woods. Hiking trails crisscross the seemingly ancient forest. The Poulanass waterfall rewards intrepid hikers who trek to its heights with a stunning view and the Glendasan river sings its song over the water-worn boulders below.

And then there is the history of this place. The ruins of an Early Christian Monastic settlement sit at the base of the woods. St. Kevin was a hermit and sought solitude and peace here at Glendalough in the 6th century. He later established a monastery here where he found peace with the wild animals of the woods. In fact, many of his legends involve animals, most famous is St. Kevin and the blackbird:

Legend holds that one day, St. Kevin, with his arms outstretched, knelt deep in prayer. As he did so a blackbird nested I his hand & laid an egg. St. Kevin, being compassionate & patient, did not move his hand nor remove the eggs until the birds hatched & flew away.

Today, many structures remain from the time of St. Kevin through later centuries when Glendalough served as a holy center. Tranquility, perhaps, is what the monks sought here and I can attest that here, tranquility remains.

This locus of peace and natural beauty seems to be at wild corner of Ireland, far from modernity but it is, in fact, just about an hour drive from the capital, Dublin. And if you ever go to Ireland, especially if you are only visiting Dublin, make a point to take a day bus trip to Glendalough. (Note: it's quite busy on weekends). It is such a great slice of the history, landscape, & soul of Ireland. 

My visits to Glendalough inspired a block print in February's Emerald Post and it is still available HERE.

We captured this view after we accidently took one of the longer, and much steeper trails that Glendalough has to offer. Pretty much worth it though.

Celtic Portal Collection

Always, I've been drawn to doorways, to portals, tunnels to other times. They are physically beautiful, metaphorically powerful, and always evocative, beckoning. There are so many exquisite doorways in the Celtic lands of Ireland & Scotland. They generously pepper my travel photos. I've collected 8 (this was a challenge) of my favorites to offer as Emerald Post's first collection. Go ahead, turn the handle, pass through. Wonders surely await .

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, you can get your hands on the Celtic Portal Collection of 4x6 photo Postcards. The stunning postcards transport you to lands & times faraway, to crumbling castle ruins, to ivy-clad cathedrals, to enchanted forests. Hop over the Emerald Post Shop to get your collection now or send a set for a charming, unique gift!

Eight high gloss, color rich, 4x6 Photo Postcards

Backsides printed for Postcard use, complete with Emerald Post Postmark.

Set is bound with unique Portal Collection Band and send in the standard green, hand addressed envelope to you.

My Irish Cottage

Happy March! Spring is just around the corner.

A recent painting I completed on a shop window. Spreading some spring fever and a little (or a lot) of Irish charm.

Inside February Emerald Post

February's Parcel all bundled up.

An Original 5x7 Block Print of Glendalough - Valley of the Two Lakes

Black ink on a Mossy Green Paper.

Accompanied by some history of the ancient site.

5x7 Notecard of Doorway at St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny, Ireland

4x6 Postcard of Grazing Sheep near Charleville Forest, Ireland

5x7 Original Blockprint of Glendalough

Miniature Notecard & Envelope - Blooming Fuchsia

The Names Upon the Harp

Today I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite books of Irish myth. The Names Upon the Harp is a spectacularly illustrated edition of 9 well-known Irish myths such as The Children of Lir and Finn and the Salmon of Knowledge. It is written by Marie Heaney (more on her husband Seamus Heaney's poetry another time) and illustrated by PJ Lynch. This book is great for children and adults alike. The myths are abridged for length but still quite poetic and the illustrations absolutely bring the stories and the land of Ireland to life. Both author and illustrator are Irish and these stories are certainly in good hands here. Also, there is a handy pronunciation guide in the back for that tricky Gaelic.  Heaney and Lynch both have other, quite spectacular works. Lynch, in fact, is Ireland's Laureate for Children's Literature. Heaney has written may books of myth including Over Nine Waves: A Book of Irish Legends (for adults) which is on my list to read this March.

I think this may be out of print here in the US and on amazon but you can find a hardback here at The Book Depository with free shipping. And I actually first found this at my local library.

Green Greenery

Not that I put much stock in such things but the PANTONE Color for 2017 is GREENERY. Though some shade of green is always my color, it's lovely to know that green will likely be finding its way into fashion, clothing, home décor, and more this year. And that is always a good thing! This color abounds in Ireland and here is proof...

A Fern Among Many in Ireland

Shadow of Spring - Irish Tradtions

Happy Groundhog's Day here in America. Happy St. Brigid's Day in Ireland. Happy Imbolc in Ancient Ireland - the first day of Spring according to the old wheel of the year. The beginning of February is steeped in old folklore, traditions, and religion, though many only know of the infamous Punxsutawney Phil.

Traditionally, if the groundhog emerges from his burrow and it is cloudy, thus seeing no shadow, spring will come early. If it is sunny and the groundhog sees his shadow, he will retreat back into his burrow and winter will persist for six more weeks. 

This tradition has trickled down from ancient times. February 1st is the Ancient Celtic Festival of Imbolc, which divides the winter from the spring, and honors the Celtic Goddess of fire and fertility, Brigit or Brigid. She dispelled the dark of winter and was "mistress of fertility"* to the land, animals and women, too. Later this day would be Christianized into St. Brigit's Day, the patron saint of mothers, cattle, and poets. Imbolc marked time to begin sowing seeds for Spring and reading the signs of nature to forecast spring weather. "An exceptionally fine day was regarded as an omen of poor weather to come."** Seeing a hedgehog was a good sign, because he would always return to the burrow if he sensed the coming of bad weather.** Traditionally, ancient civilizations also trusted the Badger to impart this important prediction because they lived beneath the earth where Spring might already be afoot. If the badger saw his shadow, winter would linger on. This tradition came over to America with German settlers and became the Groundhog Day we know today, once with a little more veneration.*

So many nearly forgotten or over-commercialized traditions are deeply rooted in the past. There is so much history in the transformation of traditions, from a Celtic Festival to Punxsutawney Phil, and much can be learned about our ancestors who settled this country and the places they left behind.

In Ireland, many traditions remain that are associated with both St. Brigit and her more ancient incarnation the Goddess Brigid such as making St. Brigid's Cross with rushes or straw, feasts, and visiting her holy wells. One fascinating tradition is to hang a piece of cloth outside for the day for the Saint to bless overnight. Throughout the year, this scrap of cloth could be used to treat headaches and other ailments.

Read more about St. Brigit's Day Traditions HERE or HERE .

*Dance of Time by Michael Judge

**A Year in Ireland by Kevin Danaher