Waterford, Ireland, has a long tradition of crystal making, in fact since the 18th century, and is well worth a visit.
If my cupboards were not already full of things…but, no, I did not buy anything. The temptation was not a little one though…What do you think about these?
Murals in Northern Ireland, are strong symbols and depicting the region’s past and present political and religious divisions. There is peace now, but 1968-1998, ”the troubles” between working class protestants and catholics were very severe. I remember hearing and reading of them as a young girl. The IRA bombings made black headlines in our papers. In my first teaching classes I remember using a text called ”The Sniper” – about Northern Ireland. It was a ”must” to see these murals in reality.
In Belfast, it is estimated that there are approximately 300 quality murals on display, These murals are mainly to be found in two streets – Shankill Road (protestant) and Falls Road (Catholic) in western Belfast.
The themes of murals can range from the 1981 Irish hunger strike, with strike leader Bobby Sands, to murals of fallen heroes and international solidarity with revolutionary groups. For example we found Cuba’s Fidel Castro and South Africa’s Nelson Mandela.
After walking these two famous streets, we went to the Peace Wall. This wall goes all the way along this street, and most of the paintings are very neatly done. If you look closely, every letter and separate painting is covered in texts on peace. Imagine how wonderful it must have been to participate in the making! Finally, ”War is Over”!
A great, festive day in Quito, with music and dancing in the streets. This local band was really good, and people of all ages danced and had fun. Wish there could be a little bit more of that here, in Sweden!
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Letters W or X
An attempt to get both W and X in one picture – a watercolour by Carl Larsson.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: All One Color
House façades are interesting, and so are ”ground façades” – these almost of the same colur. The house in Spain and the ground in Morocco.
– but in the header, Spring Green is a must!
My lifelong relationship with books and literature makes me visit every library I come across. Going to Dublin meant I would be able to visit one of the most fantastic libraries I know of –
Trinity College, Dublin – I had seen the Long Room in some photos before – and of course the Book of Kells. This old library makes a perfect Harry Potter setting….and already walking through the gates, into campus, sent pleasant electrical shocks along my spine… Soon I would enter the magic…
The long Room is the main chamber of the Old Library, and is nearly 65 metres in length, housing around 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books. It also contains the oldest surviving harp in Ireland.
Just to the left of the Shakespeare bust, is the magnificent spiral staircase. And then –
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Letters S or T
The staircase, Trinity College, Dublin, The Old Library, The Long Room
A visit to wonderful Ireland and Waterford, House of Crystal, gave many reflections to reflect upon.
For more of these, or for participating, click here.
For Ailsa’s Travel theme – I picked my favourites. A Japanese Garden and a Swedish Garden – The Garden of My Dreams.
For more gardens, click the link above.
Leya 
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