Ireland was a magical trip. We lived my motto of “work hard, play hard”. It was an amazing week, with a wonderful group of people. Our charismatic hostess Rosita Gilsenan made us laugh and brought us right into her heart and home. The planning of events and flow of our schedule with meals … was comfortable, fun and beautiful. Every morning there were walks around the farm. Some mornings we did yoga on the patio with the rising sun above the rolling green hills.
The people of Ireland were super friendly; I love all my new Irish friends. Ireland is so rich with history. Whether it be about the settlers, or the monks in Kells, the Queen of Ireland in the Hags chair, the lighting of fires from the Hill of Tara, or the solstices at Loughcrew. Rosita and her family shared stories and the love of their land.
We painted in Kells, at the Hill of Tara, Loughcrew Cairns, Rositas mother’s house, an old courtyard, the backyard, her sister’s garden, and the rapeseed field. On Thursday, Rosita led us through the creation of a batik, this was a new experience for me. We went to Carlingford for the day where the Mountains of Mourne meets the Irish Sea. We went to Dublin twice and visited the book of Kells at Trinity College and the National Gallery. We did watercolors, not everyone ventured into oils, but everyone did brilliant work. The beginners amazed them selves and me.
It was a warm dry week and in Dublin the pubs were spilling with people into the streets enjoying the fine weather. It did not rain while we were there! I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I really look forward to our show this fall- details to follow.
See my facebook album for more photos.
5 x 7″ watercolor, Cottage garden inside the gated church area in Kells, County Meath, Ireland