Garden design, garden planning, garden layout, planting plants and planting schemes

The beauty of Oughterard with or without you

Posted on May 28th, 2009

Just a short distance from  Oughterard and heading in direction of Rossaveal one encounters a landscape which can be simply described as an extended but intrinsically Nature made rockery.  At first glance the area apart from rambling sheep appears desolate and deserted. There is little evidence of human habitation, there are hardly any road signs or names and in fact much of the roads bear a greater resemblance to dirt tracks or country lanes. There’s hardly a straight line to be seen anywhere, as far as the eye can see, rocks protrude on a gentle undulating landscape which at first sight appears harsh and incapable of sustaining any form of life human and/or wild life.  

So much rock is visible one could probably take a lifetime or more to count them all and still not be finished. Today the weather is far from kind and a deep dullness overhangs much of the area, dense grey clouds appear to complement the light grey tones of the rock infested fields. The random haphazard distribution of rock bears much resemblance to an almighty event of scattering of stone at some point. Probably more to do with the aftermath of some glaciated drifts, the precious soil well in the sense of been thin and probably poorly because there is little evidence of if being capable of sustaining any crops? Instead one can see many examples of marshy conditions and here and there discreet examples of some person’s efforts to extract turf for burning. 

On a grey day and a seemless endless lines of stone stretching as far as one can see left and right and also upwards. There are few trees to be seen, in fact much of the local flora would be best described as scrub and growing less than 900mm high. Today the scene appears very familiar and  resembling an image one might see in an artist’s painting. Colour has been bleached and reduced to perhaps two or three tones.  The greyness of the overcast sky seems to re-inforce the flat tones of grey and brown today. I would be sure that on a sunny day, the view is somewhat different and other hues are more visible.  Ther is also a mist visible with the result that the view reflects a delineated image  and a popular perspective sometimes to be seen  hanging on an art gallery wall.

Looking around there is no significant evidence of any cultivation, instead one is confronted by the solemnity of the grey and brown tones. There is little evidence of any current habitation unless of course you happen to take (very easily done) the wrong turn on a meandering road which may lead you to a private residence set deep in a natural hollow but hidden from view by the casual visitor.

Here and there one comes across an old ruin of a small cottage. Generally roofless,  the walls are testament to the great skill and craft of local stone masons? These empty ruins are witness that at some point someone lived here but not anymore.

With the absence of colour the prevailing greyness takes a leading role in demanding your attention, much like a sepia photograph might do, it can time date but also provide an almost tangible link to the past.

Looking at these remains of some of the old deserted dwellings, one wonders who lived here? An individual, a Couple or an extended family?  The casual visitor can see no evidence of any link with today’s world, instead the links might be  simple home grown access routes which have become link roads to larger journeys deeper within Connemara.

There is no doubt that the view is impressive and on a warm cloudless summer’s day, the view can only but be impressive. Like the artist who paints with minimalist flair the hen which escapes from a built another pen.

Essentially the random twisted direction of the roads, the deep hollows and the prevailing lack of any substantial and visible signs of infrastructure makes for a more ‘untouched’ natural outward appearance. The thinly veiled soil supports rough vegetation enough it would seem to suustain sheep grazing which appear in great numbers here and there. The empty ruined dwellings serve as reminders that people once lived in these parts but wher are they? One wonders what has happened to the individual(s)?  Are these the ghostly remains of dwellings lost out to emigration? Does the ghost of yesterday’s Past still linger here?

Despite the lack of bold colour and distinctive foliage of more cultured plant species, the wild desperate colours of the low growing grasses and weeds appeals along with that of the boggy and craggy surfaces. Along these roads with no names, looking for a sign in these parts is more likely to be found somewhere in the star studded night sky?

Despite the sadness of deserted ruins one can sense a potential glowing experience of peace and harmony to be found in these parts. Nature is the star performer here and the beauty of this area to the west of Oughterard remains here, with or without you.

Wild & wonderful Nature nearby Oughterard

Posted on May 4th, 2009

Leading out of the village square, not far from the  junction with the N59 in Oughterard village centre, the main road which leads travellers to the ‘Gateway to Connemara’, Clifden and beyond is the Glann Road. Beyond the many beautiful stone built houses, The Glann Road eventually leaves the outskirts of Oughterard village behind and disappears under a continuous mantle of trees buzzing with bird song, becoming a country lane running parallel and close enough to clearly hear the waves lapping gently along the shoreline of the great and famous Lough Corrib. Wild by Nature and famed throughout the world for its great fishing, the Corrib is flanked by low lying rolling hills reminiscent of pastoral scenes.

Here too dotted throughout the green landscape is the sound of spring with the innocent appeal of newly born lambs. Lurking in the background are the awe inspiring mountains stretching beyond.  

Today the weather was very changeable, and during a series of alternating brief exchanges of warmed rain showers and joyful sunshine, the scenery takes on an almost momentous air of great grandeur. Throughout this area the sense of rising sap is overwhelming. Trees, shrubs, meadow flowers are on the verge of bursting forth with all the promise and colour of the new season. Trees of all types are bearing new  buds, rhododendrons heavy in bud are already showing early glimpses of iminent magical colourful displays, whilst the Fuchsia lined hedgerows full of leaf, are patiently waiting for their moment of magical display.  Here in this wild and wonderful corner of this famous region, Nature is putting on an early but stunning display of sunwashed bliss. Today however most travellers come well prepared. As soon as the sun takes shelter behind the clouds, the skyline quickly takes on a menacing look of deep foreboding, light levels drop, so too do the temperatures and suddenly sheets of rain are unleashed. Within minutes the rain has passed and the sunwashed scenery resumes with little visible evidence of any intermittent rain showers.  

Closer inspection reveals the gritty harsh realities of this wild, beautiful and natural landscape. All around are relics of the weather beaten environment, twisted trees some with incredible grotesque shapes, permanently disfigured are testament to all of how harsh and cruel nature can be. Here and there throughout the fields and hills are reminders of weak and poor draining soil conditions. 

Rocks protrude throughout the area, many reminders of the famous rock culture to be found throughout the wider region. Wind swept and weather beaten reminders can be found everywhere in this area which is an awe inspiring panorama of wild Nature. 

The small haphazard free standing walls used to divide the fields are built using the unearthed stones. Sheep graze between these iconic walls, reminders not just of man’s great resourcefulness but perhaps the greater strength  and power of nature. Here in abundance are many reminders of the beauty of wild by Nature. 

A very natural occurence in Oughterard

Posted on April 11th, 2009

Simple but striking and much in abundance in this beautiful corner of western Ireland. On one side swept by Atlantic westerlies but coarse easterlies coming in across from the Corrib, the demand on natural fauna and flora is plain to be seen. But as a few isolated photos show, despite the harshness or otherwise of the prevailing climate, the onward march of Nature to green over is relentless. It is awesome to realise just how so much of Nature’s own soft green mantle,  in many cases taking decades if not centuries and more to accomplish, can often go unnoticed.

I only wished I could have photographed the night sky, I cannot remember ever seeing so much darkness and so many stars in the night sky. 

Winter Garden Wildlife

Posted on December 16th, 2008

Outside the weather is becoming cold, very cold during these harsh days and months of the oncoming Winter. It is very important to spare a thought and make some provision and offer some much needed winter cheer to our feathered friends with whom we share our garden spaces.

Recent surveys all conclude that the bird population and varieties are in decline, and in some urban areas some species are in rapid decline and on the verge of becoming extinct. Much of this has to do with the urbanisation of our towns and cities, but also the development of rural areas. There is perhaps a sense of powerlessness to prevent the relentless development and consequential loss of valuable hedgerows and green spaces in the countryside, but within our urban environments, especially in our gardens there is much we can do. During the winter months, when food sources become scarce, there are a number of things we can do to help our feathered friends survive this very challenging and harsh time of the year.

Planning Plants – yes, planning makes sense, choose varieties that can provide dense cover for the smaller birds and protection for the larger species. Clearly plants which are also a source of food are ideal. Select shrubs which provide berries, fruit and/or hips. Popular choices include pyracantha, wild roses, cotoneaster, mountain ash, holly, berberis and crab apple are all excellent choices. Leave an untidy pile of timber and/or leaves in one hidden area, an ideal habitat for hibernating hedgehogs, which incidentally are natural predators of slugs.

Providing Food – if your garden isn’t quite ready or sufficiently developed to provide natural sustenance and cover, you can provide much needed daily food supplements to help the local bird population. There is an enormous range of bird feeder types and sizes as well as foodstuffs to choose from and most good garden centres, DIY stores, even the local Hardware grocer, will all be well stocked with product at this time of year. So whether your preference is for feeder tables, boxes, nets or balls, be very careful in selecting the position. Avoid any areas where predators such as cats could be a hazard, best to choose open locations where smaller birds especially can access area safely and yet have good visibility of lurking predators and larger birds etc.

Regular Feeding – sometimes, one can be very enthusiastic and provide copious amounts of food, this is not a good idea. Better to provide small amounts on a regular basis, e.g. provide a daily feed, in this way, no food will be wasted or left to linger which might potentially attract rodents. During very cold spells, be sure to provide a source of water which has become frozen.

A few simple but regular measures can make a huge difference to your local winter garden wildlife.