Thursday, April 12, 2007

Only Two Sheep
















Even though there were hundreds of small stone walled field/paddocks, we saw only two sheep and about 30 cattle. Not so many animals anymore. We wondered what the islanders did for income and found out that if you are a long time resident of the islands, you get a stipend from the government to just live there. The government is trying to preserve the islands and its way of life, so supplements the income from fishing, farming or selling trinkets to tourists.

Inisheer Home


We saw only a couple of homes like this. Most of them either fell down or were taken down and more modern houses built. Too bad, because these are so charming and the others, not so much. But I can see where these would be very dark and damp and small.

Tractors Go to the Pub
















Island folks got around on these tractors. Inisheer is only 2 x 2 miles and we saw a lot of tractors. They could've just shared a couple. As you can see, they make good transportation to the local pub.
Not only the locals partake of the deliciousness of the Guinness. We took the last ferry (5:00 p.m.) off the island and on board were many people that had clearly downed a few beers during their stay. There was one guy in this large group that got lulled by the rocking boat into a 'nap' (passed out). He was easy prey, so his friend got out her makeup kit and proceeded to paint his closed eyelids a bright lavender, his cheeks a rosy pink, his gaping lips a crimson red and his eyebrows a dark black that made him look like he was surprised. (He probably was when he later looked in a mirror!) All of us in this part of the ferry were cheering her on, "More, more"! He finally woke up (came to) 10 minutes later. There were a few kids in this group that really got a kick out of this. One little boy about five years old, pointed to his own eyes, his own cheeks, and his own lips, trying to hint to this guy what was on his face, while the rest of us were "ixnay on the ellingtay". But the painted fellow thought this was a game and just pointed to his own eyes, cheeks and lips. Clueless! It was great fun. I wish I had a picture but Houston and the camera were out on the deck.

Rusty Tractor


Pub-mobile and hay hauler.

Bareback Rider on Inisheer

Island Gardening


Came across this prepared garden. Deep furrows of rich dirt, then a layer of sand on top. Didn't find out what they'll be planting, (probably spuds) but whatever it is, it won't escape out of the stone walls!

Stoned


Many of the graves had this decorative stonework on top.