Happy Solstice

The lyrics of ‘the weather outside is frightful’ came to mind last night, but compared to a Wisconsin winter, the recent high winds and flooding due to a combination of wind, rain and high tides in Ireland is more of an annoyance than frightening, but I did see a dusting of that dreaded four letter word stuff (s…n…o…w) in the midlands on my recent trip to Galway.

Both ends of the journey involved detours – the first just outside Galway due to flooding on the motorway and the return trip outside Dublin due to a multi-vehicle crash.  Instead of fretting over the delays (a bit more important on the trip out rather than the one back) I merely took the opportunity to enjoy the scenery of towns and villages I had never visited before.  I do love the stone and cinder-block homes and buildings, nestled all snug between green rolling hills.  Many a sugarplum-like decoration hung from the eves and along the roof-lines and the twinkle of tinsel or a candle bridge could be spotted through lace curtained windows.

Despite a few comments by co-workers about it being too early when I brought in a little Christmas tree to adorn my desk on Thanksgiving Day (traditionally the time of year to begin decorating in the US), the city workers and store owners had been at work weeks earlier here to adorn the streets and shop windows with festive displays.

The Dublin Brown-Thomas windows are always worth a look, and even the Galway Brown-Thomas windows were more creative than they had been (or that I noticed, anyway).  The Christmas market in Galway had blossomed as well, with at least twice the number of vendors and a new windmill house for a bit of respite from the wind and rain.

Despite the recent stormy weather, the sun did peek out long enough to light the passage tomb at Newgrange this morning so Happy Solstice everyone and enjoy these photos of holiday cheer.

Santa’s Workshop at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre

Avoca Weaver’s Dublin

Bewley’s Dublin (look closely – this entire scene is a set of miniatures!)

Brown Thomas Galway

Clery’s Dublin

Back end of George’s Street Arcade, Dublin

Georges Street, Dublin

Windmill House – Galway Christmas Market

Even the small lanes are lit up – this next to Powerscourt, Dublin

 

Brown Thomas Dublin

Brown Thomas Dublin

Brown Thomas Dublin

Brown Thomas Dublin

Brown Thomas Dublin

 

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