Leighlinbridge Oldest functional bridge in Europe

No not this. It's Ha'Penny Bridge, wonder why they called it the Hapenny, I guess, during the olden days if you want to cross from the south side to the north side you need to pay a penny for crossing. I am just kidding. Anyway, you can goggle a little if you interested in this bridge. As usual, like most European destination bridge, you see hundreds of lock stuck in there by tourist.

This is it, reputedly one of the oldest functional bridge in Europe. Below the castle lies a priory dated back 1270. No we didn't see the priory, I bet there lots of evidence of Carmelities presents in this part of the world. Because the bridge is built during 14th century.

If you really look at the picture, you notice the architectural buildings and bridge decades apart except the river still flows the same. Bridge is 14th Century, the house is early 18th century, the pyramid building is 21st century. However, the large antennae dated back 1980's.

 You wouldn't have give a second thought if you in this village or passing through. The road is small, just enough for 2 cars. If one car park at the road side, you will be stuck or waiting for the other traffic to ease. 

Many famous people born here, Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran, third Archbishop of Sydney, John Tyndall, prominent 19th century physicist, Myles Keogh, American Civil War military, fought in Indian Wars and was killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. The family of Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada. Even the meteorite landed here in the late 1999. If you visiting Ireland, make it a list for the place you want to see before you die.
  

As usual, no matter which village I stop, I never leave before getting a nice piece of steak. But this butcher is very special, he still retains the chain curtain and most of all its the only butcher I ever see in Ireland that sells home produce free range beef and lamb. No, I am not going to talk about how the beef like. I do it when I gather more family butchers around the country.

 The buildings with lots of windows was once a warehouse and office for barley and malt storage, and this river plays a very important role during the 17-18 century. They delivers all the booze raw materials to Dublin.

You would be surprised to see such a sign board. this is Gaelic, the real Irish language. I bet you be in for a big surprise if I said, this is a 4in1 shop. Its not just a local grocer store, its a convenience store with, bar and bookies..lol  You can put a bet and watch the horse race, meantime, enjoying a pint of Guinness  get yourself a sandwich and on you way back, tell you wife you go get a milk.....

I know its hard to read, double click it and expand. While I was reading this plaque, my mind was wondering back to the dark ages. I felt myself there except, I can't wait to get back to grill my yummy steak.... Have a good day folks.

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Ashbourne the land of crops

If you have not much time and like to see some crops and take some pictures of haybays and country scene, drop in Ashbourne. Its about 10 km from Dublin city.

On you way, you find many interesting artifacts which is still display along the road. Don't think you can find any bronze age stuff here.

A boring coolie chained to the ground.

Shooting a nice portraiture out in the field, there are few taboos you need to observed, be it padi fields or any field with one or two colors background. You don't want your subject grinning at your lens, you have to tell them to keep their fingers. They love to show peace sign all the time and have no meaning at all.

Quite often many camera holders makes the same mistakes over and over again. If you visit a beautiful scenic spot. They are so engross over the place and forget the details. As they start looking through his collection. He wonder why he did not capture the crops.

 Think of bread, beers, stout and breakfast. The Chinese proverbs says 'Every grain is equivalent to 100 drops of sweat'. I remember my mum used to teach us never waste a grain of rice as you suffer for the rest of your life looking for it. I don't understand that.

However after going through the stage of life. I look at every one across the WWW. I think I understand what she is trying to say to me now.

Everyday you open up your facebook, you see sickness, politic, children, abuse, drugs, killing, humor and sadness. You see lots of people posting pictures of good foods they eat, where they went for dinner, what they drink. But they never post the most important of all. Its the staple food they grew up with, be it potatoes or rice. Its the unsung hero of all images. Ask a kid today where do Chicken Rice come from or where does Chips comes from? They will answer Melaka or Chicken rice stall and Mc Donald. Funny!

Through your lens, wherever you go, I am sure you bound to capture something be it from your samsung or iphone. It is very important to capture not just the food when you eat. Try capture their hand movement, their gestures, the waitress, the chef, the laughter and many more things going on around you.

King George IV was here so do many celebrities such as Guns and Roses, U2 and many more to mention.
This is Slane Castle the venue for super big concert.

Time to head back home, the leaves about to change colour, Autumn is getting nearer, Summer is gone.
Ashbourne have nothing to shout about except Slane Castle and the fields of Gold.