Day: March 7, 2023

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

Heart warming scenes on our website this morning of the great celebrations by our GAA enthusiasts as they laud their stars and our historic Wallis Arms Hotel accommodating them in style. Many congratulations to all involved.

A beautiful Monday with the sun shining and the washing waving in the breeze and a yellow warning of snow and cold winds in the forecast. It’s a recipe for making the most of the remaining hours of this lovely day. It was a race against time last week when Clara Mountain above us was set alight, just days before the end of season. The huge inferno made a great impression on all who saw it. Controlled burning has been part of life for those  who own sections of Mountains and rough land. From experience they know when the time is right, taking  into consideration the direction of the wind and the proximity to local forests. Over the years we always loved to watch once we knew that nothing was in danger. The scene never failed to get us all excited at the wonder of it all. Sometimes it happened at night when the dark skies were lit up for miles around. In our young days local  farmers with rushy land with patches of furze growing on it would put a match to it and we’d all enjoy the bonfire-like occasion. The heat of it and the smell of burning furze stays with you all your life.  In the days before handy chainsaws and other mechanical trimmers, people made much more use of fire. This time of year when cows would be eating their way through the new fresh grass, fences had to be opened to let them into new pasture. Gates were scarce and gaps were often over grown with briers and weeds.  My Dad being a pipe smoker was never without a box of matches in his pocket and one flick made short work of opening a gap as the flaming vegetation filled the valley with a gentle wave of smoke and gave off a beautiful smell  that filled the evening air.  One you’d never forget.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 7th March”