Between Christmas and New Year – that time of year when we all make resolutions of some sort or other – we managed to get out for a couple of walks. Despite the best efforts of the weather to spoil the opportunities!
We are lucky here in Redwood to have some lovely walks within a short distance from us, and one of my favourite winter places is Lough Boora Parklands. It is a stark, bleak place which is especially beautiful on a cold, crisp, winters day.
However the day we visited recently it rained. What’s new? But the rain did ease very very slightly for some of the photos. (It really is a challenge to take photographs when all about you is GREY!)
Lough Boora Parklands are managed by Bord na Mona who for years harvested the peat, but now are trying to give the area a new lease of life.
Can you imagine how busy this place must have been at one point?
There is an amazing diversity of birds to be seen in the area – and some wonderful bird watching stations.
This guy was very very curious…. and followed me all along the way looking for food!
Once when we were there we were also amazed and mesmerized watching people with their model airplanes – now that’s a hobby I think I’d love!
But what Lough Boora really excels at are the sculptures! I think it is every second year an artist from somewhere around the world is invited to come and create. The only stipulation is that they use materials that are available within the area and reflect its history. Over the years there have been some terrific pieces created from stone, old railway sleepers and even the old rails themselves.
The Sky Train is my favourite – there is something really surreal about it, isn’t there? I am sure this is not the correct name – but the ‘triangles’ are wonderful too – especially when the light is right and the sun catches them.
I was disappointed to note that the Willow Sculpture which is only a few years old has been allowed to deteriorate so much – it was built almost like a willow maze and was a beautiful piece.
But don’t let that deter you – if you are in the area stop by, it is a really wonderful place to walk and enjoy the peace and quiet – the noisiest thing there are the birds!
What’s your favourite spot of all to enjoy peace and quiet?
A Year In Redwood 
Margaret –
We have to take the kids here. Once Spring is in full bloom we will pack a picnic and head to you and we can go on a nice walk and have a nice lunch there with the kids and might even bring the husbands too xx
Mona,
They would love it! Lots of space to run wild! (and no child can resist the temptation to climb the pyramid!)
It’s a date! (And I’ve some new picnic recipes too!)
M
This is a place I keep meaning to visit but I’m always heading down to Tipperary or back home to Roscommon when I pass the signs.
Bridget,
You’ll have to find yourself a half an hour to stop by on your next trip. It is worth even pulling up in the car for a couple of minutes!
Margaret
Gosh it really was grey and I suspect may be the same this weekend! But sure, if we let the rain stop us doing everything we’d be at nothing! Will pack some waterproofs and a brolly!
As they say around here ‘sure you’d be at nothing’ if you were to be worrying about the weather!