Passage Tomb - Slieve Gullion

Slieve Gullion Passage Tomb

Slieve Gullion 573m is the highest point in County Armagh. The Neolithic burial chamber in the photograph is the highest remaining passage tomb in Ireland.

Slieve Binnian

Slieve Binnian in the Mournes

Slieve Binnian and Wee Binnian are located in the south eastern corner of the Mournes. Slieve Binnian at 747 is Northern Ireland's third highest peak. 'Sliabh Binnian' means 'mountain of the little horns (peaks)'.

The granite tors on the summit ridge of Slieve Binnian are the result of glacial action.

Newry Ship Canal - MV Balmoral

The MV Balmoral on the Newry Ship Canal

(Photographed on Thursday 31st May, 2007)

Photographer : Gerard McLoughlin

Newry Canal Swans

Swans and Seagulls in Newry Canal

Black Swan in Newry Canal

Black Swan in Newry Canal

The Australian black swan (cygnus atratus) is, as its name implies, a native of Australia. It is very rarely found in the wild in Europe.

Eric Dempsey of Birds Ireland said: "Yes, it seems that your Black Swan is quite at home in County Down. No doubt an escapee from a collection somewhere. Collectors keep their birds from flying by clipping their flight feathers but of course these grow again and so many birds can then fly. Black Swans are non-migratory so would never ever occur naturally in Europe. Still, they are very beautiful additions to a lake."

Richard James, Wildlife Advisor of Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, told us: "There are many black swans that have escaped from captivity. There have been reports of a few pairs breeding in the UK. There doesn't seem to be a problem with black swans and our native wildfowl but, as with all introduced species, it is worth monitoring."

Photographs of the black swan in Dromantine lake in 2005

The Albert Basin, Newry

The Albert Basin, Newry

The Albert Basin is situated behind the Quays Shopping and Leisure Complex, Newry.

Completed in 1850, the Newry Ship Canal connects the Albert Basin and the Victoria Lock on the road to Omeath and Carlingford.

Two Donkeys

Two Donkeys for Sale

These two donkeys were peering from the back of a trailer at an Irish horse fair.

The Donkey

When fishes flew and forests walked

And figs grew upon thorn,

Some moment when the moon was blood,

Then surely I was born;

With monstrous head and sickening cry

And ears like errant wings,

The devil's walking parody

On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,

Of ancient crooked will;

Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,

I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;

One far fierce hour and sweet:

There was a shout about my ears,

And palms before my feet.

G.K.Chesterton, 1894 - 1936

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