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Dido in Dublin last night, embodiment of female power, strong performance, she has got better with age, her voice was FLAWLESS! And of course White Flag as a finale. π
#dido #whiteflag #womanpower #diva #songstress #3arena #dublin #music
Today Carys had a day's respite, so it was a good excuse to draw the curtains against the rainy afternoon and retire to bed with this beautiful thing! #perfectlypreventabledeaths by @propermiss I've been reading a lot of beautiful 'grown-up' writing lately (@sineadgleeson #ianmaleney #emilypine @elissa_altman ), but this afternoon I rediscovered my love of YA... this was chillingly dark, beautifully written, and so GRIPPING! I wonder why YA appeals to so many older women. It's easy to gloss over this question with a flippant 'it appeals to their inner child'. I think its more than that. Yes, this middle-aged body has sagged after bearing three children, it has aged with the hardship of raising a profoundly disabled child. But it's not just escapism. This reading experience revived the emotions of my youth, the essence of youth, in fact, the yearning for something inexplicable aroused by the poetry of song lyrics, the desire for flight brought on by music brushing feather-light through my soul, the nameless longing left in the wake of a novel's fine words. All these feelings I have suppressed as an adult moving through the stresses and strains of life. I regain my inner rebel only in the pages of a YA masterpiece. Thanks @propermiss ! π To those who haven't yet read it, do, soon.
#amreading #YA #teens #youngadultbooks #magic #witchcraft #witchy #middleagedwoman #innerrebel #bildungsroman
I graduated today! π I now have a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in English and History. Do I need to say how happy I am? π It's been the best three years.
#graduation #igraduated #universitylife #maturewoman #maturestudent #student #englishmajor #maynoothuniversity
This is where I was on Friday... meeting Janus Man on Boa Island. π
#janusman #boaisland #enniskillen
#ireland #ancientireland #irishmythology #ancientsite #sacredsite #graveyard #grave #ancientmonument #enigmatic #enigmaticface #statue
Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid day sun. Irish women stay in and work on their latest manuscript!
#amwriting #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #holiday #workingholiday #cyprusβ€οΈ
Me in the Tombs of the Kings, Paphos, Cyprus.
#tombsofthekings #tombsofthekingspaphos #paphosharbour #paphoscyprus #cyprusβ€οΈ #cypruslife #holiday #ancientsite #ancientmonuments #sacredsites #travel
Hi Al
you are in the country of my birth Please contact mri
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i share your enthusiasm for a lost past, a sense of who we are, in this crazy world, my father is descended from dainish vikings, my mother was romany, romani, maiden name whitby, im related to the o briens ( breen ) and the o neills, and of course a tolkien fan, so thank you for reminding us, of who we are, and not, as modern history tells us, we should be
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What an interesting heritage you have, Wolfroy! The O’Briens and the O’Neills were both prominent dynasties in Ireland’s history. I am a Tolkien fan too, but not as much as my husband… he is a real Tolkien aficionado!βΊ Thank you for getting in touch, it’s nice to get to know you. And I’m delighted to hear you enjoy the blog.
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Just found your site today, I think… I have found most of my family history which is located on “Ancestry.com”. Recently a cousin who had the DNA done found that our particular family is of the “Black Irish” /Spanish-Portuguese and other Irish lineages (Glasson, McNitt/McKnit, Deney/also spelt Dana? and just maybe Chin’ -pronounced “Shine”). I’ve always enjoyed reading up on the Irish Myths and a great interest in the Megaliths – especially Newgrange. My friend always tease me about my birthday being on Nov 1st and missing Halloweens Eve. But they don’t realize I was born on Samhain. Being a amateur Artist, I have many different kinds of art on Deviant Art. Big fan of Jim Henson & Brian Froud -Their creativity blows me away. Tolkien… Huhh I collect as many books as I can afford. Big believer in Fairies & Spirits I feel my Irish heritage has taken over my other family connections (English, Scot’, French and Dutch). Some say I have been blessed with the 2nd sight… too much weird stuff in my life. really But, your books look fascinating, I am always looking for new authors – especially about Ireland. Looks like you have many talented people conversing here. I am more a artist than a writer. My daughter is the writer in the family.
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Hi Janice nice to meet you and thanks for getting in touch. Nice to know you enjoy the blog! π There must be some significance in your being born on Samhain. Send me a link to your Deviant Art page, I’d love to see it. It sounds like you have a very talented family, and an interesting heritage. π
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Ali, thank you for replying, My Art page is on Deviant Art, here’s the link https://tlachtgadreamartist.deviantart.com/
Let me know what you think,
Janice
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Cara Ali, your site is awesome and it reminds me of my Kaiako (Tutor), she is Irish and has encouraged the growth of my Celtic side, at present I’m involved in indigenous studies and would love to know more about the social values of the Celtic (Irish) communities.
Beannacht leat,
Alex
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Hi Alex, thank you for getting in touch. Glad you like the blog, that is music to my ears. π I’m guessing you must have Irish Heritage. I am a student myself, and I guess I am also trying to develop my inner Celt! π Nice to meet you! π
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Ah the lovely Ali so pleased to make the connection… and the nails!
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Hi Ellen! Thank you for calling by my blog. Happy to connect too. It seems that even in Iron Age times, or at least in Medieval times, women would paint their nails. ππ π
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Okay I was a slob neglecting to paint is disgraceful buttttt… broken from moving house, gardening, refurbishing, sanding etc.. had taken their toll. π To-day I have blue and pink toenails so not quite a slob ππ
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Lol! You were not a slob, you had a gorgeous dress on and you looked lovely. But I’m not interested in the outer covering, anyway. Anyone who’s dazzled by that is not worth bothering over. Inner beauty shines far brighter.
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I warmed my hands on your glow and read by the light . X
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Omg! See what I mean??? Such a way with words! I thought I had an inner void of darkness! Lol!
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Blarney that is your magic xx
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Hahaha! That is quite probably true. π
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Pleased to find you Ali – looking forwrd to looking over your blog and your books and meeting you at the bash!
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Hey Simon, sorry I somehow missed this comment! It will be great to meet you at the bash!
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No problem – same here! Lot’s of great bloggies to meet including yourself! π
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Lol yes! Can’t wait! π
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So pleased to meet you. Congrats on making several of your dreams come true already! That just means more time to keep reaching higher. π
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Thank you Nerissa! That’s such a lovely thing to say. π We must always keep striving. I don’t think we’d achieve anything if we didn’t have a dream to reach for. Thank you for following.
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Hi Ali, just to let you know that I nominated you for the #Girllove Blog Challenge in case you’d like to take part here’s the link: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2016/01/11/girllove-blog-challenge/
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Thanks Marje, what a lovely post you wrote! π
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Interesting site!
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Thank you, Daniel! thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it!
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No problem. Ed’s site has compelled me to check out related more “Ireland-ology” and story-telling… so thank YOU for blogging int he first place! π
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Ah you found me from Ed’s blog, fantastic! I love Ed’s blog, his photos of Ireland are just beautiful and unique. He is doing us a great service, and deserves some recognition for it.
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I always wanted a chopper bike, but I did love my Raleigh π I’m fascinated by your many languages too. What an amazing gift π My half-Irish dad told me stories all the time as a girl, and I now love to do the same, ever searching like you for that distant past, weaving stories into the present, giving hope for the future. I am so glad to meet you dear Ali! Sherri xxx
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Hi Sherri, I’m sorry but I somehow missed your comment! Unfortunately, most of the languages have drifted into the ether, never having been used beyond childhood, and now I no longer seem to have the same aptitude… or memory! So glad to have met you too!
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Hi Ali, and no worries! I’ve just discovered a few I missed on a post and have no idea what happened. And yes, that is the way of things isn’t it? I know it’s not the same thing, although a sort of a language, but I used to use shorthand for everything in my job as a PA, minutes of meetings the lot, then decipher it back and type it all out. I can’t even imagine doing that now, no way. In fact, I can’t believe I ever did!!!
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Ha! That’s funny! Looking back on our early lives is like looking at a movie about someone else… we were such different people then, weren’t we? At least, I was!
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Haha! Yes, I am definitely not the same person I was back then. And here we are now π
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Lovely to meet you here and I look forward to seeing you in the flesh at the bloggers bash!! π Your bio has intrigued me and I shall explore some of your posts after work.
See you Saturday!
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Thank you Elissaveta! It should be a fun day, see you Saturday!
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What a wonderful blog! I met you here thanks to Roy McCarthy. Cheers!
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Thank you for stopping by… great to hear you like it! And thanks too to Roy!
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I’ve just been nominated for the ‘Amazing Blogger Award’ and in turn would like to nominate you for your wonderful Blog site. The choice is entirely yours if you accept the award or not. Should you wish to proceed, further details can be found on my post I’ll publish later tonight.
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Thank you Carole! That is very kind of you! I will be delighted to take part and will look out for your post.
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Hi Ali. Congratulations Iβve nominated your lovely blog for the One Lovely Blog Award. I hope you will accept. Details here: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/one-lovely-blog-award-thank-you-2/
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Thank you! I am delighted to be nominated, very kind of you, and will respond shortly!
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Hi Ali, just to let you know that I have tagged you in the Workplace Blog tour – do hope you will have time to share your creative space and surroundings. best wishes Sally http://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2014/10/13/my-workplace-blog-hop/
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I surely will, Sally and thanks for tagging me! Any excuse to show off my shiny red desk and equally shiny red laptop lol!
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Great love a bit of colour….look forward to it. Catch you later.
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Happy to meet you Ali. I too once lived in Greece! I love myth and story telling!! I will be perusing your blog when I return from my trip.
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Pleased to meet you too CybeleMoon! I look forward to chatting with you soon…enjoy your trip!
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Great blog. Just sent you a message on Facebook page. Loved the article in Irish Central regarding bog bodies.
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Thank you! They did cut quite a bit out, but then it was quite a long article!
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I mentioned to you on Facebook that I have a theory myself about the burial sites of the bog bodies. I find them fascinating. Have you ever watched The Perfect Corpse? Great documentary.
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Hmmmm… good old fb isnt showing me your comment yet, but you got me intrigued! I haven’t heard of that film, but perhaps its on youtube. I’ll check it out. They definitely are fascinating for sure, although it really irritates me when experts rush to the conclusion that something must be ‘ritual’ without proper evidence to back it up. Gruesome injuries are not proof. But it does grab media support, appeal to the macabre sensitivities of the general public, and perhaps lead indirectly to futher funding. What… me, cynical?!!
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You cynical? Never! But we just met! π I believe that due to the significance of the elemtents or earth, wind, water and fire, the sites, usually borderlands, and the fact that bogs were neither solid earth or liquid water meant that the spirits of those killed were trapped in a no man’s land, well a celtic no man’s land. And I think it might have been a punishment/revenge for crimes. So that’s my theory. The book I wrote is called Mona The Body in the Bog. And The Perfect Corpse is on Youtube.
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I like that idea! I’ll check out your book too!
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Fab, thanks. I will leave a review for yours on Amazon.com. There’s a festival in County Galway, The Shorelines Arts Festival in Portumna. You might want to contact the organizers and see if you could speak at the literary brunch next year. It is on this year from Sept 18-21. Great exposure for up and coming writers.
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Any excuse to visit Galway! Thanks for the tip!
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Dia duit mo chara! I just bought your book on Amazon and I’m looking forward to an enjoyable evening with Conor. π
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How are you getting on with Conor? Thank you for buying my book, and I sincerely hope you enjoy reading it!
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Good morning. I came across your blog through a reference to a post on Ogham, and let me say how very glad I am I read that post, as it took me to your post on Ogham. I read it, and I know I, a big fan of Irish mythology (of which I use in my own writing) will be spending a lot of time on your blog. π
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Hi Ali, nice to meet you. Looks like you’re busy, busy, busy. I look forward to reading your posts π
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Thats funny! I was thinking the exact same thing about you! Nice to meet you too and thanks for stopping by my blog.
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What a great find. . . finding your blog here, am excited to dig in and read more of it. I loved your comment on Laurie Buchanan’s blog today, which prompted me to come visit – well, that and the fact that I am half Irish:)
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Another Alison…hi! Nice to meet you and thanks for your lovely comments. I hope you find something you like here. Please feel free to comment as much as you like! I welcome opinions, questions and discussion! Its a great way to make new friends with similar interests. We are very lucky to live in the digital age! Laurie’s posts always get you thinking, don’t they? She makes me surprise myself sometimes lol!
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