More images from Galway Cathedral. I was able to briefly visit the cathedral on two different days.
The first day was cloudy but on the second there was a period of bright sun.
As I tried to capture the colors of stained glass shimmering on the wall, I was reminded of light dancing on water and nature’s colors reflected and rippling on the surface.
A magical moment, indeed.
Posted in Inspiration, On the Road | Tagged abstract, architecture, art, churches, colors, Galway Cathedral, Inspiration, interiors, ireland, light, Photography, stained glass, travel, walls | 3 Comments »
Of all the buildings that I was able to step into in Galway, I was able to spend the most time at the Galway Cathedral. Dedicated on August 15, 1965 by Cardinal Cushing of Boston, it is noted as the youngest of Europe’s stone cathedrals. Its art and architecture reflect many different styles and periods from Byzantine to Gothic to Romanesque.
Detail from St. Michael, by Patrick Pollen of Dublin
Online, there are many images of the exterior. My camera tended to focus on the variety of stained glass windows, mosaics and carvings on the interior walls. In addition to learning the larger story of the building’s creation, it has been a pleasure to research and learn about the individual artists, like Patrick Pollen, who dedicated so many years of their lives to producing artwork for this cathedral.
Detail from St. Gabriel, by Patrick Pollen of Dublin
It will take me a while to sort through the images and continue my research. There are always stories to discover! Until I pull together my words and images about this beautiful structure, here are few images to peruse.
Posted in Inspiration, On the Road | Tagged architecture, art, artwork, beauty, cathedrals, churches, colors, faith, Galway, Galway Cathedral, ireland, Patrick Pollen, religion, stained glass, travel | 1 Comment »
during my travels
of all the herbs and plants left behind
the marigold alone did not survive
except
there is a single blossom
autumnal orange with patches of gold
broken off I suppose as its green stem dried
that blossom it still thrives
without water or soil yet warmed by the sun
at rest where I found it upon returning home
on the tabletop next to the kitchen window
we’ll see how long it lasts
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes | Tagged artwork, autumn, botanicals, colors, flowers, gold, Inspiration, marigolds, musings, prose | 6 Comments »
Last year, I created a “book of thanks” for folks who made me feel very welcome in my travels around Dublin. As simply the guest of one of the conference speakers, I was free to ramble about the city and especially St. Stephen’s Green. This year, I was lucky enough to attend again (and even visit Galway). I decided I should do another book, to thank folks, and to highlight just a tiny bit of the beauty I saw as I meandered, this time, about the UCD Belfield Campus and its wonderful system of walking paths. The images are sorted into three sections: Amidst the Trees and in the Fields, Among the Birds, and Reflected in the Many Waters. Below are a few excerpts and the entire book is available via this link.
Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes, On the Road | Tagged abstract, birds, books, colors, dublin, gratitutude, Inspiration, ireland, landscape, nature, nature photography, photobooks, Photography, travel, UCD Belfield, water | 2 Comments »
Back home, I was racing up and down the stairs trying to photograph the morning sun as it struck the burnt orange leaves of the oak tree. As I turned around to walk back down the stairs, I noticed the silhouette on the wall. For a while, I photographed those shadows, the subtle shift of the shapes as the wind stirred the branches outside, and inside, how my motion stirred the butterflies on the mobile hanging from the ceiling.
As for the orange leaves that first drew my attention … to my eyes, they are like stained glass.
Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes | Tagged abstract, autumn, butterflies, colors, Inspiration, light, motion, nature, orange, perspective, Photography, shadows | 6 Comments »
As I’ve written about before, one of the great pleasures for me of stepping into a church is to see the wide variety of artistic expression through stained glass. Such is certainly the case with a quick visit to St. Augustine’s, a Gothic church in Galway completed in 1859.
Apparently during renovations in the 1970s, the original window over the main altar was replaced by a new window depicting the Resurrection. The artist is George W. Walsh.You can read a bit more about Mr. Walsh via this link. His father, with whom he apprenticed for several years, was a pupil of stained glass artist and illustrator Harry Clarke.
While no one seemed to mind me meandering about with my camera, I focused mostly on that window above the altar with its many lovely parts making an incredibly beautiful whole.
The other window that caught my attention happened to be a depiction of St. Augustine himself. Later I discovered that Mr. Walsh also composed and completed that window.
It was a bit rainy that day so I did not take many exterior shots, but via this link you can view the building. On this webpage, you can read just a bit more about the history of the Augustinians in Galway and more about the construction of this particular building.
Posted in Inspiration, On the Road | Tagged architecture, art, beauty, churches, colors, faith, Galway, George William Walsh, Gothic church, Inspiration, ireland, Photography, religion, St. Augustine, stained glass windows, storytelling, travel | 3 Comments »
I’ve been on a bit of whirlwind travel for work and pleasure. In addition to spending time among swans, I managed to step into a few churches along the way. Here’s a bit of the beauty to be found at the Priory of St. Mary’s, The Claddagh, Galway, Ireland. I hope I have the opportunity to return one day.
Posted in Inspiration, On the Road | Tagged architecture, art, churches, colors, faith, Galway, Inspiration, ireland, Photography, Priory of St Mary, religion, stained glass windows, The Claddagh, travel | 3 Comments »
Recently, a family of swans swam past me. As they did so, several spread their wings in the sunlight. Slow movements that made me think of motion and music.
I took many photos, and I wondered what am I to do with these images? Then, I listened to a particular piece of music and suddenly wanted to put the images and that music together somehow.
I’m going to give it a try. I’m not sure that I will be successful, but it is good to have a goal. I’ll let you know what happens. But until then, here are a few images of the beautiful birds.
p.s. As for the music that moved me? Just one of those very popular pieces out there in the world, Adagio in D Minor by John Murphy, composed for the film, Sunshine (2007). So many variations on the theme available online, but here’s a link to a nice one. Enjoy.
Posted in Inspiration, Music, Nature Notes | Tagged abstract, adagio, adagio in d minor, beauty, birds, colors, feathers, Inspiration, movement, music, nature, Photography, Swan, wings | 9 Comments »
and this is what I saw. Nothing fancy. Just light shining on silken threads.
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes | Tagged color, Inspiration, light, nature, Photography, spider web, spiderweb | 3 Comments »
Posted in Inspiration | Tagged abstract, blue, colors, Inspiration, Photography, water | 3 Comments »
Words + Images 