Galbally;743939 wrote: Well erm, I would say that yes the Western Coasts of Cork, Kerry, Clare, West Galway, Mayo, Donegal are pretty much the way you think they are, very beautiful and haunting in a way, though the Eastern side of Ireland is more or less like anywhere else in Western Europe though still very pretty. The Highlands of Scotland are also pretty amazing as well, and even more rugged and majestic than over here. I don't know about the enchanted thing, we do have lots of ancient dolmens and fairy forts and all that in the country side, so if you are into that kinda stuff you would like it. Of course Dublin is just a big city like anywhere else with all the same kinda things you would get anywhere.
I do need to point out that Ireland is technically a republic in the south, not a realm, though the North is part of the UK which is of course a kingdom so that could be considered a "realm" if you like that kinda thing. We do have mist, but not that often, we also have fog but not as much as London's east end where Jack the Ripper lives. I wouldn't say its that mystical, unless you hang out in New Grange and take some magic mushrooms (which we have a lot of, and may explain our road sign system)
We think of America as a wonderous country full of helpful Indians, slightly camp but violent cowboys, Texan millionaires, cheerful gun-toting children, and 4 intellectuals who live in New York. I learned in school that you can meet many lumberjacks in America along with contented car factory workers, Irish policemen, and Austrian politicans. You have cheerleaders who are young girls who have devoted themselves to charity, and shoe salesmen called "rappers". You have a thing called "TV" which is a big box where people can get in and try to sell you lots of useful products. Your cars are very large and are called SUVs, you have rivers just like us, but they are made of concrete and called Freeways, and you have many paddle steamers that go on these rivers, that are like floating hotels where black people dress up and sing songs. America had a civil war a few years ago and you can still see the veterans of both sides (known as Liberals and Conservatives and Mexicans), they now stage mock battles called "elections" that involve lots of shouting and brass band music. America was founded by Davy Crockett and his best friend General Alamo in Washington, which is now near Canada as they had to move it in the 1960s when the country electrified. Most Americans have been to the moon for their holidays, though you can only go once. We are also told that Americans live in things called "Malls" which are like wonderful underwater cities, except that they are above ground. It must be a very interesting place, with many strange wonderful customs.
You make me see a lot of things in a new light, Galbally. I can't pass up your wonderful humor although I can sure see shades of truth in much of that.
cheerful gun-toting children, and 4 intellectuals who live in New York.
That cracked me up! Not sure it should have buit it did.
Chookie;744361 wrote: But Red, don't you know a causeway has two ends?
Fingal's Cave on Staffa (and some other bits) display exactly the same geologic formations?
Staffa also inspired a symphony by Mendhelsson.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staffa
I actually have never heard of that Chookie, thank you for telling me about that! This is why I love FG. I can talk to people the world over and learn so many things from them and they're always so willing to share their homelands with me. :-4 I did a bit more surfing on Staffa and learned quite a fee cool things.
mikeinie;744530 wrote: I have been there, it is very unique and beautiful.
The Legend has it that the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) built the causeway to walk to Scotland to fight his Scottish counterpart Benandonner. One version of the legend tells that Fionn fell asleep before he got to Scotland. When he did not arrive, the much larger Benandonner crossed the bridge looking for him. To protect Fionn, his wife Oonagh laid a blanket over Fionn and pretended he was actually Fionn's baby son (in a variation, Fionn fled after seeing Benandonner's great bulk, and asked his wife to disguise him as the baby.) In both versions, when Benandonner saw the size of the 'infant', he assumed the alleged father, Fionn, must be gigantic indeed. Therefore, Benandonner fled home in terror, ripping up the Causeway in case he was followed by Fionn.
Thank you Mike! Folklore is something else I love and I hadn't heard this before!
That's a really cool tale!
pinkchick;744532 wrote: I live about 40 miles from Giants Causeway......It is a beautiful place :-4
I think you're lucky to live so close to something so neat Fuzzy! Of course I think I think I'd give my eyeteeth to live anywhere in either Ireland or Scotland. I'm envious (in a good way) of you guys who do.
