Arrived in Dublin and toured Kilmainham Gaol, (Jail) were many irish were held for their part in the many uprisings against England.
It is an amazing piece of Irish History.
Some of the things I have seen over the past three days were major eye-opening experiences. I am not sure how they will translate into paintings without seeming cliche. That is my challenge.
This is a painting I have been working on for a couple of days. It is of an older gentleman we met in the Aran Islands. We were on Inismore, it is 10 miles by 2 miles. This gentleman was in his eighties and has only left the Island twice! He was a very interesting fellow.
Coming home tomorrow and I am very excited to see my family but wish I had more time here. Because of missed and canceled and flights I did not have a chance to go to where my ancestors are from in Ballyheigue, Kerry.
That only means I have to go back. I thought it would be great to come with a bunch of artists.....Anyone interested?
Have a great 4th of July Weekend!
Tim
What a lesson in history. To be in Derry and Belfast in amazing. There are so many stories about what has happened here. At this time in history most people seem ver hopeful for peace. Both cities are divided by "peace" walls to protect the factions against one another.
While in Derry and Belfast we toured some of the places of the first violence during what was called 'the troubles". The people, on both sides, have lived through so much.
Here is a quick watercolor from one of the four entrances of "the Walled City", Derry, Northern Ireland.
I have some sketches and paintings that I will download when we get to our Hotel in Dublin.
Home Tomorrow!
Can't wait to paint in my studio. So much much inspiration!
Today I toured County Sligo and County Leitrim, these were the favorite stomping grounds for William Bulter Yeates, Ireland's Nobel prize winning Author. It was quite an experience we visited Glencar Lake and Waterfalls, this setting inspired the poet to write the "The Stolen Child"
Here is a painting I just painted this morning of Croagh Patrick Mountain, County Mayo, Ireland. We climbed it yesterday. It was an amazing experience. Many climb it as a pilgrimage to St. Patrick. It is a very rocky, rough, stone filled landscape and these people on the pilgrimage climb it bare footed, some praying the Rosary while climbing. It was very inspirational.
I am going to post this on my website also so you can see it better. Type in "Croagh Patrick" in the seach.
Hope all is well in Chicago, I miss Sue and the kids.
Tim
Hello all! What a great trip....spent 2 days in the Aran Islands. What an amazing place. Rode a bike all over the islands and Hiked to two amazing ancient forts Dun Aonghasa and the Black Fort. These forts were build on the edge of some amazing cliffs thousands of years ago.
Today, I climbed Croagh Patrick Mountain and stood in the clouds at a chapel dedicated to St. Patrick and had a bird's eye view of Clew Bay, In Mayo.
View from my window...
Photo of a ruined Chapel on Inismore, Aran Islands....
Photo of one of the Cliffs near the Black Fort on the west Coast of Inismore...
More later.... I have a bunch of paintings started!!!!
After 36 hours, 6 airports, 5 flights and countless hours of waiting I made it. That first Guiness tasted amazing! 
I will be posting Paintings as soon as I can. I think the WiFi availability will be sketchy the next two days we Aran Islands. I will post as soon as I can.
On June 23 I will be leaving to go on my first trip across the pond to Ireland. I am going with sole purpose of capturing the beautiful landscapes and interesting people that make Ireland so wonderful.....from what I have herd so many times over the past 42 years.
I will be sketching, painting in watercolor, and taking as many photos as I can and I will post as many as I can on my blog along the way. When I return I plan on completing a new series of oils and watercolors and hope to have showing at the Gallery at the end of July. I hope you can all make it!
I am very excited but also a little anxious about leaving Sue and the kids for 9 days.
