winifredcreamer

Harry Clarke, stained glass superstar

Harry Clarke isn’t a name well known outside the world of stained glass, though he should be. An Irish artist who died at age 42 (in 1931), at the time of his death he had completed 40 commissions, including one in Dingle for the convent of the Presentation Sisters. In the 1990s, the order decidedContinue reading “Harry Clarke, stained glass superstar”

Summer came on Monday–at Great Blasket Island

The boatman made the quip as we left, “Tell them this year summer came on Monday!” That’s because the weather is never forecast to be as fine as it was on our trip out to Great Blasket Island last Monday. The sun shone all day long. The boat ride from Dunquin to Great Blasket wasContinue reading “Summer came on Monday–at Great Blasket Island”

Jonathan takes the Prize–at Féile an Phráta

Months before we arrived in Dingle, Jonathan read about a local potato festival and decided that he wanted to participate. He emailed the organizers, sharpened his potato peeling knife, and marked the date. It wasn’t as easy as jumping in the car, because all the publicity for the festival was in Irish. Diligent work withContinue reading “Jonathan takes the Prize–at Féile an Phráta”

An Epic Day: Star Wars and Puffins in the Skellig Islands

Had my sister Paula not read in her guide book about an offshore rock group with an ancient monastery at the top, we might never have visited the Skellig Islands. We considered hiking to the top of the 600+ steps to see the domed stone cells that may date back to 600 AD. If thatContinue reading “An Epic Day: Star Wars and Puffins in the Skellig Islands”

Summer in Dingle

Ireland is very green and lovely, and when the sun is out the views are spectacular. When I asked my daughter, Lillian, how she dealt with the changeable weather when she was here she said she always wore her rain jacket. That’s a must. We tried scheduling activities according to the weather report this firstContinue reading “Summer in Dingle”

Ireland!

We made the move to Ireland from Italy, landing in Dublin and staying overnight in Limerick. On Saturday morning, there is a weekly market called the Milk Market. It is a perfect size and holds a wide variety of goods. Vendors carry delicious salami (fennel, wild boar), and cheeses (Irish cheddar), bread, fruits and vegetables,Continue reading “Ireland!”

Good to know about Florence, and Arriverderci

Arriverderci means “until we see each other again.” We will return to Italy in September after cooling off for two months in Ireland. I’ve already commented on dealing with crowds (“Top Ten” post), so here are a few interim comments on Florence and our Italian travels in general. Arriverderci significa “hasta que nos veamos deContinue reading “Good to know about Florence, and Arriverderci”

Hill Towns of all Sizes

We visited three of the smaller hill towns: Monteriggioni, Montepulciano and San Gimignano. All of these have most of their ancient encircling walls intact, and a central area with narrow streets and relatively tall buildings that date from times when people felt safer living within the walls. Each town has its charms. Visitamos tres deContinue reading “Hill Towns of all Sizes”

Try Parma

I wasn’t thinking about visiting Parma, but Jonathan asked how we could pass up the place that is home to PARMAsan cheese, Eggplant PARMAgiano, and PARMA ham. We had to go. What we found is a city with impressive historic sights, a Duomo painted and frescoed from floor to (a very high) ceiling, great shoppingContinue reading “Try Parma”

Pisa, Festa di San Ranieri

We arrived in Pisa midday to see the sights. The Cathedral, Baptistry, Leaning Tower, and Camposanto were all established around the same time on what was then the edge of the city. Unlike churches in other cities they are set apart in their own grassy park, the Campo dei Miracoli, the Field of Miracles. TheContinue reading “Pisa, Festa di San Ranieri”