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Robin Heart Shepperd's avatar

Ha! Another special place that I know nothing about. I love it that you can manage, over and over, to present us with mysterious new sites. Hoping to see Foughart next time I'm in Ireland. Traveling Ireland by myself last year was not nearly as scary as I thought it would be, and the trains were a godsend. Saving my money to do it again! will let you know when I'm coming.

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Ali Isaac's avatar

Wonderful! I can't wait to see you! And you can stay with us next time while you're up this way... if you want to, that is! 😘😘😘

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Robin Heart Shepperd's avatar

My goodness! What an honor!

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Ali Isaac's avatar

😂😂😂

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Ali Isaac's avatar

I think people just like anything that is evergreen, falling leaves are just too messy. Cherry laurel has big shiny fluttery green leaves, I can see why people like it for their hedges, but I'd much rather have hawthorn with ivy and honeysuckle growing through it.

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The Sea in Me    (Síodhna)'s avatar

Hi there, Ali, I read your history of Brigid. Fascinating. Thank you!

I'm from Cavan originally but living in Dublin. Must check out this hike you documented in real life!

I've been educated on where the pagan Brigid met Christianity which is what I was so curious about. The pagan telling is quite the extraordinary tale. I wrote below short poem for Imbolc. Good to connect.

https://open.substack.com/pub/theseainme/p/now-im-higher-than-anyone-here

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Ali Isaac's avatar

Hi Síodhna, thanks for dropping by! Foughart is well worth seeing, that whole landscape will just give you chills, there are so many sites linked with legend that you can almost see Cuchulainn racing in his chariot across it, and you can't stop the old stories from unfurling and coming to life around you. Cavan is such a great place to live, if you love mythology, you're less than an hours drive from most of it! 💕

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The Sea in Me    (Síodhna)'s avatar

I did not know all of this, thanks again!

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Jane Dougherty's avatar

Saint Brigid, being a mortal woman had to be born. Births are always good for prefiguring holiness. I agree with you. The rag tree and most of the votive offerings are ugly.

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Ali Isaac's avatar

Thanks Jane, I'm glad to know I'm not the only spoilsport! 🤣 Turns out that tree really is a cherry laurel, so poor Brigid is being 'honoured' by an invasive species that is not native to her homeland, and has a destructive effect on the natural habitats and ecosystems of local Flora and fauna. But I guess it's not the first invasion Ireland has experienced...

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Jane Dougherty's avatar

It looks like the awful thing we call Caucasus Laurel. No bird will nest in it, nothing will grow alongside it, it’s like green concrete. All the rage in the 70s and 80s fpr hedging. Even chain link fences are better. At least people grow proper climbers along them.

Ireland has had at least seven invasions already. Some worse than others.

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