Liam’s Tales: A Fine Spring Evening on Barleycove

7:10pm View around Barleycove this evening after doing walk through the dunes met few rabbits about the place not many just a few…

Forecast says rain on way and looking at this you would have to say that they are spot on with prediction let’s hope it moves swiftly past us…

Must say this was yet another beautiful day be out and about not hint shower anytime at all roads very busy good see so many around enjoying fine weather…

7:16pm Here we are looking out over bay towards Mizen Head and sea so calm looking don’t think they be much bad weather ahead…

Love view you get from here as you look down on beach and when furze bushes blossom later in year then that make for real nice picture…

Great see Munster beat Toulon reach semi – final of European Cup listened on radio here by beach great game and good commentator sure twas like watching on TV listening to him…

7:24pm Looking at sun right there you would have to say it’s very sunken and sad looking sure sign that rain not far away…

7:37pm You really begin feel night chill in air this time evening sure not long more now and another day ends and good day it was no matter what you were doing..

Fine moonlit night outside but real cold nip in air temp only 2.5c with breeze from an Easterly direction would think they be frost later if things stay like this… Off now watch Match of Day on BBC so that’s all its bye for now and goodnite from here

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Liam & Us All

Hiya 2all my friends… I would like wish you all very Happy St Patricks Day, it’s nearly 2am, fine calm clear starry night outside temp at 7c.

I got my weekly Irelands Own magazine, it’s a great read, lots nice stories, some true and others like fiction in way. Good see Kitty The Hare back, she always has a funny story, not forgetting Miss Flanagan best detective around, she always get problems sorted and lots St Patrick memories and Cassidy Says looking back on his memories, always interesting is he and whole lot other stuff also like I say tis great read week not same without it.

Really looking forward to having a few ice creams in morning as you can break your Lent on this special day, might have bit Chocolate and few bags crisp, also doing great so far never any day had a big urge to break our Lenten fast.

Good to see that our Cafe in Goleen has re-opened again for season and we wish Sara – Jane and Colin well, it’s a great addition to have something like this when people visit the place.

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images

Looking forward to Rugby and seeing us beat England at home to win Grand Slam, last time we done this was in 1948 so it’s about time we won again, that’s to beat England in last game series to win outright and I hope Nemo win All Ireland Club Football Final also, then that would make it perfect day but anyway whatever happens we looking forwards to them anyway.

That’s all again wish you all very happy St Patricks day and hope you have great weekend

Liam’s Tales: A Trip Up The Mountain

6:05pm Got up here on what was beautiful evening after fab day bit of cool breeze but at same time twas pleasant evening up here.

June 23rd Saint John’s Eve people long ago would climb up here on that evening as sun was setting and kneel besides cross and say their prayers often heard my Father on about this twas still big thing when he was young God bless ‘em all now.

There is Holy Well at foot hill about 150 yards down and tradition back then you said decade Rosary as you climbed from Well to Cross and repeated this till all 5 decades said hill very steep here but they had path made winding sideways from all use still parts this visible to this day.

Years ago circle stones here around cross many them have fallen down but amazing thing cross has never moved Saint Ciaran’s Mother supposed be buried here not sure but think he was around at time Saint Patrick that’s going back long way.

6:21pm Have moved west further on hill get better view sunset its been long time since up here better make most of it God only knows when we here again

That’s Dunlough Bay in distance where sun disappears being when day here is done.

6:26pm such a beautiful clear sky would give us hope that another fine day on way in morning well suppose time will tell but it looks that way from here right now.

Have to say view from here on an evening like this makes all climbing worthwhile it’s just shame tidal stream not in full twud only add picture anyway we get that another time.

6:38pm Last peep of sun up here this evening as another day ends it’s been great day here and we now looks forwards to what next day brings us.

Bang in centre of Dunlough Bay sun sets this time years besides Stone Circle what wonderful view no doubt its great place be buried if only access was easier.

7:05pm As we make our way back via Ardsolough this view of Crookhaven with Fastnet Rock Light Beam getting stronger by minute as night air falls over place real chill about place as we move along.

Nearly 1am on what’s fine clear starry night outside not puff wind but cold air temp only 1c reckon they be lots frost before morning hope not.

That’s all so its bye for now and goodnite from here

Liam’s Tales: Springing into Action

This was best day of spring so far (5th March) with temp at 11.5c for few hours great for thawing things out and few more days like this and grass growth start big time…. Good meeting about Road Races in Dennys Pub this evening things going good we have 5 races and 15 horses in total that’s not bad 3 races x3 horses: 1 race x4 horses: and 2 horses in other race… March 11th races at Causeway road closed from 12- 5pm looking forward to day out hope its nice day and good crowd come enjoy day…

5:10pm Few views towards Crookhaven this evening as we made our way towards Ardsolough get view sunset…

Love stop here take in view especially on evening like this temp 7c water so peacefull and calm looking…

Had drive down to shop earlier get few things but forgot they close every Monday pm this time year but we had walk about place anyway while away sometime on this fab evening…

Enough of this for now off we go now get view sun as its sets lots dark clouds about but you have be positive and hope they clear out way as day ends..

6:26pm Here we are on top of Ardsolough looking out over caravan park with Brow Head in background snow out there now but a memory…

Still lots snow top mountain here in places sure we glad see this it makes up for not seeing proper sunset here this evening anyway we call again another time and get good view sunset when no clouds about…

That’s all hope get up for sunrise in morning so its bye for now and goodnite from here

Liam’s Tales: A Change in the Weather

Great see its raining outside this gives hopes to little birds of better day ahead God love em many won’t see morning saw lots them dead around area and driving on road had stop many times poor cratereens could hardly get out way. Nature can be thing of and so cruel at other times I gave out lots brown bread in yard for Robins and Wagtails that be in houses twas not much but we hope twill save a few of them…

11am This view across lake towards home on what’s fine day here good thaw all about as temp at 3c…

Often cycled or walked here years ago post letter long before we ever had car and its nice see this post box still in use up present day…

Enough here for now as we continue on our journey east to Goleen roads in perfect condition did not freeze anytime overnight from what I can see…

A new subject for one of Liam’s on line jigsaw puzzles

This beauty just outside village no doubt some child got great fun doing this hope they cherish memory I remember doing very same thing here at home twas either 1982 – 83 anyway he is now puzzle…

Beach car park like never before and snow covered mountains only add to beauty around here on this day.

Drove the ring from Goleen via Caravan Park could not believe how little snow on other side mountain just shows it must have sunny morning this was around 12:30pm you get no sunshine here till after 10am…

Barleycove really hope its many years before we see any more snow around here Farmers have been finding it difficult milk cows parlours frozen but good news I hear is that milk lorries be around Monday for milk collection really hope for them all goes good…

My neighbour’s holiday homes basking in snow, house on left sold recently did not meet them yet suppose twill be another few months…

2:23pm Mountains looking real pretty and thaw going well on lower ground temp then was 5c just for few hours middle of day…

4:30pm spotted this fellow as we drove home from town they’re all over the place, beautiful looking bird. It is a Lapwing they must come from really cold country for only time you ever see them around West Cork is in weather like this. Another local name I often heard these birds called is PHILIPEENS might not have it spelt right but that’s what it sounds like anyway. If you surprise these birds they have most amazing screeching sound, in saying that they hardly ever stop making noise for sure no need to be told if they around.

Twas in garden beside shed, this fellow was looking picture of health wish I could say this about local birds poor cratereens many them have died it’s sad see but good few nice healthy birds here at home they shelter in outhouses bless em.

5:20pm this view sunset this evening not great but this was it and by way it was raining also what difference a day makes…

7:30pm Temp now 4c we on Lotto duty later so that’s all its bye for now and goodnite from here

Liam’s Tales: Crooks and Capers

Overall apart from being very cold day we had lots sunshine from about 11am – 4pm and you really notice heat from sun and bit thaw when it shines this time year its getting stronger every day and when this cold blast is over it won’t be long till things all normal again….

4:44pm View around Barleycove on this bitterly cold day temp then was 0c and got to 1.5c in or around 2pm…

Looking at this here this evening you just knew that lots more bad weather on way but hopefully in morning Storm Emma be long gone and things begin return to normal…

Not much snow here but cold and ice big problem heard of few places where water pipes frozen solid this big problem for farmers with housed cattle our house water also frozen but luckily good spring nearby bring in water in buckets for cooking its bit like going back in time this how people before us here managed years ago bless em all.

4:55pm Crookhaven on this bleak winters evening this great place get views sunrise from this time year woke last few mornings to come here but was afraid they might be ice on roads as temp at 7:15am was -5c this morning…

St. Brendan’s church where every Sunday at 8pm during months of July – August people come for prayers its lovely way spend evening with people you get see this time year and Hymn singing joy listen to. A thought just struck us wonder is there any stained glass windows here must check next time we call…

All quite in Harbour now but in summer time this place hive of activity notice that only the three anchors still in place where pontoon is during summer months…

Call down here few times most wks love it this time year as Brandy has plenty space run around its lovely place visit and good see that Crookhaven Inn has re-opened in past few wks we wish them well for season ahead…

This where my Aunt Hannie Griffin lives and sure with Crookhaven nearby you could not ask for better view. Brow Head in distance with tide in full on Cockle Strand water was splashing over wall at head harbour as we made our way up here….

Roads around Goleen in perfect order today but in few places near Schull not so good local shop owner had drive Schull meet bread van and supply his customers fair play to him for doing this its good see people doing things like this for good of community…

The Island of Cape Clear in background covered in snow just shows that mainland here got of lightly so far but that could change no doubt. Often heard years ago that St. Ciaran’s mother was born in Cape Clear and that she is buried on top hill here at home marked by granite slab with cross carved into it surrounded by stone circle and holy well about 100 yards below this at bottom hill… Often think that places like this should be open to public and let them share what we locals take for granted but I suppose twill never happen…

5:03pm Another day over our last look towards Crookhaven and Island of Cape Clear love the views from here especially seeing Cape covered in snow God knows might be years before this happens again.

10:20pm Snowing well outside right now with cold easterly breeze temp -1.5c but feels lots colder all we can do now is hope and pray that everyone is safe and these harsh conditions soon become only memory. House really cold have no fire as its central heating and pipes frozen so off bed we go so its bye for now and goodnite from here

Liam’s Tales: The Big Freezey

Bitter cold outside with stiff breeze from East temp -3c its so cold was going fry rashers but the gas pipe after freezing now that is cold… Hope everyone heeds warnings and stay off roads from 4pm onwards as this time Storm Emma is due its dangerous storm so heed warnings and stay safe above all don’t risk life some innocent person if you get in trouble

Woke this morning at 7:10am had peep out window did not see much snow on Letter Hill so did not get out see sunrise stayed where we were suppose its safest place be in weather like this…

On our way east Goleen this evening around 6pm temp only -1c twas not much higher any part day while out for walk in beach lots frozen snow about place….

6:35pm Snowing well here for past 45 minutes or so few snow showers early morning but twas good for rest day…

Denny’s Pub looking well in snow love yellow colour really stands out in this kind weather and moon shines brightly also….

It’s amazing this picture taken without flash on even though it was snowing well you cannot see it but snowing well it was trust me…

This view with flash on this shows perfectly what conditions were like pure winter and Storm Emma arrives about 4pm tomorrow up from Bay Biscay well somewhere around there anyway let’s hope she don’t stay long with us…

This place where we shop everyday sure you be surprised when you enter how much stuff inside as all shelves stocked neat and tidy and its open all hours that’s beauty of having place like this..

Night air begins fall over place and as you can see most people at home little traffic on road sure with temp at -2.5c its at home we all should be

Roads around here in perfect condition all day around Goleen but very bad from Skibbereen east sure Goleen – Cork bus which leav’es at 7:50am could only get as far as Clonakilty he had return back Goleen got back around just after 12pm he said things real bad from Clon onwards… Fair play to driver for making effort to travel he could do no more and all CIE Bus routes cancelled till Friday at least…

Often calls in here great place pass some spare time lots interesting things see and lots good reading about local history also here you can rent room for Wi-Fi its handy for doing important stuff while on holidays…

Temp when taking these pictures were only -2.5c it did not feel that cold but at same time when we going home at 6::45pm the snow had frozen on windscreen had put on heater before we could travel…

7:05pm Nearly home and lucky get there as road by Jimmy Downey’s getting dangerous car was slipping bit going uphill no doubt but if this continues till morning things be real bad…

That’s it another day ends and happy we are get inside besides fire put car into shed for night in case we wake early for view sunrise this way no delay as car be frost free well that’s plan anyway..

9:45pm Stopped snowing at moment but yard outside looks real pretty with moonshine on all snow about place its nearly bright as day anyway enough that so its bye for now and goodnite from here

Liam’s Tales: Twas the night before the beast

4:45pm This view over Barleycove on what was cold evening after our walk in beach myself and Brandy like 2 little orphans no one else about place…

Looking at sky with all clouds was thinking about not going out Mizen it did not last long this thought so off we headed for Mizen Head…

5:15pm Just arrived here and liked what we saw on this beautiful evening very cold but nice and dry also…

5:37pm Few lads from Poland after arriving get view sunset also few them first time here and blown away with view we could not understand each other much but we got enough know what they were trying say…

Few these people live in Bantry and they brought their buddies from Poland out on visit while holidaying with us on Ireland. Brandy getting bit hassle but spell after this they got on mighty. Would like thank them for pictures and wish them well its good meet people from other parts world…

5:44pm Frozen with cold temp only 2.5c but as sunset still piece away shall get few other views place…

Brow Head in background and you can see Marconi Tower where we got sunrise from other….

Storm clouds move in from east it’s not good looking but with clouds overhead like this it can make for pretty picture you can often see this happen just before sunset. Moon rising over place not long now till twill be Full Moon March 2nd and if winds continue from easterly direction they lots serious flooding in low lying places as an easterly wind always blow in big tides…

Crookhaven looking fab in evenings sunshine and Stony Beach where we often got nice views of sunsets. Love the colour as sun nears end of day it’s just beautiful and see the night shadows take over its great way spend some precious moments…

View towards home and mountain in background is called Knocknamoderee some day we hope climb top this mountain looking at size of it might take sandwich and flask tea also help us…

Honestly these storm clouds getting better by minute for sure must be snowing under them it been so cold here but anyway back Mizen get last few views sunset.

6:10pm Last peep of sun here for another day and blessed we were to have had such beautiful day and be able get out and about to enjoy it all…

6:18pm Closer and closer the clouds get and we now begin wonder about snow but right now all we think about is Stations of cross that begin in church at 7pm….

9:23pm Snow Shower has arrived in Goleen its great see this now we begin think about views in morning…

Had confessions this evening after stations cross told priest twas 8-9yrs since last in confession box told him I had not much say only that we had bad thoughts about neighbours from time to time he was kinda surprised and gave us few Hail Marys and Our Fathers to say and we feel much better now that we done that might go again next Tuesday…

Hard keep camera lens clean from flakes snow sure they fall over place no sense direction but we done best we could. Brandy fast asleep in car no worries there twud be great to have mind like Dog don’t think nothing ever stress them out…

At prayers this evening we had 24 people I was 3rd youngest nice see few younger people than myself it gives hope for future…

9:34pm Another day done and it’s been good to us but really most of all looking forwards to views in morning….

Liam’s Tales: Sunrise over Brow Head

Woke at 6:50am had peep out window and things looked good for sunrise and off we went temp only 2c and it was just starting get bright then…

Had 3/4 boil kettle water as ice on windscreen car then left kettle cool 10 minutes and fired it onto windscreen this great idea in frosty weather…

7:33am here we are at Brow Head on what was fine morning with cool breeze from easterly direction…

7:54am At last we have sunrise here begin another day must say its watery looking sunrise but forecast good for most next wk let’s hope and pray that there are right…

Enough this place for this day loved my time here pity so much cloud on horizon as we could not get really good view sunrise but still all same good be here…

Crookhaven and sea around it so peaceful and calm looking…

8:02am this view as we head back from top Brow Head this beautiful morning…

This my buddy at Galley Cove ( Marconi ) he fellow that sent radio signals all over world from tower top Brow Head God bless him he was great man…

8:17am Back at Barleycove as day’s sun rises over place before we start walk took these few pictures.

Met no person around here this morning suppose little wonder at time we were here ground bit slippery in places due white frost…

9:03am have our walking done for now around here shall have another about 4pm when tide be far out and we then paddle across stream onto main part beach…

10:14am back home after morning travels and plenty signs of white frost about always…

Sun only begins hit us here at home this time morning and its nice listen to little birds singing away to their hearts content all around us…

Suppose this closest we get snow here in West Cork this winter but it makes for nice picture when you get ground looking like this just imagine if we ever got proper snow here and mountain white over Barleycove molaire no hope it’s only dream 🙂

This 3rd sunrise that we have pictured its bit shock system start day so early but know what this might become regular habit…

Reproduced with permission from Liam’s Facebook Page

Liam’s Tales: Church Windows

ST Patricks Church Goleen Built in 1854

by Liam Wilcox (Reproduced with permission from his Face Book Page)

FR Anthony that came up with idea of Stations cross every Tuesday evening during Lent start at 7pm then you have Confessions at 7:45pm followed by few more prayers to end day – We had 27 people here this evening I was 2nd youngest and nice see few out from Schull also to join us everyone welcomed let’s hope for few more next Tuesday… Nearly 12:30am on what’s beautiful calm still night outside temp at 2.5c after what was fab day here bit overcast but nice and dry that’s what we need…

Loved the look about the church this evening as we made our way up for prayers with lights on inside I just knew we would not stay inside this evening we pray again another time…

Stained Glass windows on Southside must say its real gift be able do something like this and its lovely see them while lights on inside church…

South side church and 4 stained glass windows here this where Crookhaven people come pray and that’s way it’s ever been well for most them anyway..

Just left picture is path that led you to this side church if you walked from Crookhaven sure long ago people walked everywhere and you be glad sit down at first chance you got and that’s how tradition began – We regular walk this path it’s still in good order and community workers keep place nice and tidy…

North side church and you can see 4 of 5 stained glass windows from here on this side…

While stations cross were going on all I could think of was be out here picturing place and was very happy when priest said they would be confessions heard also we jumped out and got to work can go confessions next Tuesday…

That’s it all of 9 stained glass windows just thought of it think there is 3 more windows behind altar must check them out another time….

Stations of cross were just over and it been such fine evening had get out and take few pictures of place…

All done just in time as people begin leave church after evenings prayers and next Tuesday evening we stay in church for all prayers and confessions also it’s been years since I confessed any sins to Almighty God so we looking forward to doing that…

Getting very tired now so that’s all its bye for now and goodnight from here