Malahide, Dublin - Sunset

The Sun Sets on the Celtic Tiger

This photograph was taken in Malahide, County Dublin, in 2007. The crane (Ireland's thriving construction industry/materialism) is towering above the church (decline in religion/spirituality). The jet highlights the flourishing travel industry and Ireland's international aspirations.

Carrickfergus Castle, County Antrim

Carrickfergus Castle, County Antrim

"I wish I was in Carrickfergus

Only for nights in Ballygrand;

I would swim over the deepest ocean

Just to see my love before I die.

But the sea is wide and I cannot swim over

Nor have I wings so I could fly;

I wish I could meet a handsome boatman

To carry me over my love and I.

In Kilkenny it is reported

On marble stones as black as ink

With gold and silver I did support her

But I'll sing no more till I've had a drink.

Well, I'm drunk today and I'm seldom sober,

A handsome rover from town to town;

But I am sick now my days are numbered

Come all you young men and lay me down."

Traditional

County Wicklow - Ireland

The Wicklow Hills

Tranquillity and serenity among the Wicklow hills.

"Wicklow, where the fields are sharply green, where a wild beauty hides in the glens, where sudden surprising vistas open up as the road rises and falls." H.V. Morton 'In Search of Ireland'

"It was as if a wand had touched him; it was as if the solid land of Ireland about him had become unreal." Maurice Walsh 'Come Back My Love'

Among the Wicklow Hills

The Stag's Head, Dublin Pub

The Stag's Head, Dublin Pub

1 Dame Court, Dublin

The Stag's Head, a former haunt of James Joyce, has featured in a Guinness advertisement and in many films, including 'A Man of No Importance', 'Educating Rita' and 'The Treaty'.

Pass between the marble pillars and enter a world of polished wood and glass, confidential snugs and partitions, engaging conversation, great pub grub and peerless pints of Guinness.

Savour the atmosphere, the ambience of this quintessentially Dublin bar.

Phil Lynott - Thin Lizzy

Phil Lynott - Thin Lizzy

"I sure miss you ......

Now you're not around

You're not around

This old town."

'Old Town'

(Bain, Lynott)

The bronze statue of Phil Lynott in Harry Street (off Grafton Street) in Dublin attracts thousands of tourists and music fans from all over the world.

Philomena Lynott, his mother, said: "I'd like him to be remembered as a wonderful son, a kind and gentle soul, a great musician, poet, songwriter, lyricist. That's 'mother' talking, but I know he was great. That's why the fans are still there, and that's why they wanted him honoured."

Phil Lynott sings Old Town

Raglan Road, Dublin

Raglan Road, Dublin

"On Raglan Road on an autumn day ... "

The nostalgic words of Patrick Kavanagh that prompt "thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears".

Listen to Luke Kelly singing Raglan Road

Patrick Kavanagh Statue

Statue of Patrick Kavanagh

By the Grand Canal, Dublin

This statue of Kavanagh was inspired by his poem 'Lines Written on a Seat on the Grand Canal, Dublin':

"O commemorate me with no hero-courageous

Tomb - just a canal bank seat for the passer-by."