We were driving, close to home, when we saw a little swallow, on its back, flapping its one wing ferociously, and the other...not so much. I stopped the car, and both me and my daughter were out on the road, to pick up this little creature. We knew if we left him, a car would drive over him. He was big enough to fly alone, but we also knew his family was nearby. They were watching us from a distance...
He must have swooped down, a little too close to a car, and banged his little head.
So at first, we did the sensible thing: we put him in a somewhat safer spot, went back into the car and watched. Nothing. We waited a few minutes. Still nothing.
We decided to pick him up again and see if we could get him better at home. Or the vet the next day. I've picked up quite a few birds in my life, but this one was different. His heart wasn't beating out of his chest like with most others. He kept really quiet, and hung on to my hand. It was as if he knew we weren't going to harm him, and were only trying to help.

At home, I checked the internet about how to care for hurt swallows, and followed their directions on how to build him a little nest so he'd feel safe.
I put the little guy with the nest in a pet carrier, to prevent the cats from trying their luck with him. My youngest came into the house with a little worm.
The bird took it! We also put a little bit of water in the cage, and closed it for the night. When I checked on the little guy hours later, he looked quite comfortable, and fast asleep.

The next morning, very early, the kids woke me to tell me that the swallow was trying to fly, so we all hopped in the car, and brought him back to where he came from. As soon as I opened the cage, he hopped on my hand, paused for a few seconds, as if he was thanking me. Then he flew off.

Our encounter was short but powerful. And the experience quite beautiful.
I already knew swallows were quite intelligent but this little guy showed me just how much. There's something quite comforting and serene about them, almost spiritual.

The ocean

So my sister came over for a visit in May. Because there are lots of places even we hadn't been to yet, we decided to go to Achill and Achill Island. I personally think it's one of the most natural places in Ireland. Aside form some places in Kerry and Cork. It's so lovely and quiet. The photo below is at Keem Bay, Achill, County Mayo, Ireland. It's THE place to spot Basking sharks who come to mate in the spring and early summer. Unfortunately we didn't see any that day. Two weeks later, the people at the beach had an amazing encounter with these creatures. A few of them came so close to shore, people could almost touch them without to much effort.

Keem Bay, Achill, Co.Mayo, Ireland

And a better look at the little beach

Unfortunately, Keem Bay doesn't have the best history. Up until not very long ago, this bay was also known as Blood Bay. Because it attracted the Basking Sharks, it also attracted fishermen who'd use the opportunity to hunt there amazing beings as they'd cut off their way out. I'm glad this doesn't happen anymore now. They're now endangered, and protected, so they get to come back here, year after year, in peace.

One of my very favourites

Easky is not very far from us, in County Sligo.
The village in itself consists of nothing more than two tiny grocery stores, a pub, a school, and a church. In my opinion, it also has the best shoreline. On a clear day, you can see Donegal, and the tallest cliffs of Ireland on the other side.
We've gone camping here a few times. There's nothing better than going to sleep and waking up to the sound of waves crashing down on rock.
I don't think I could ever live in a place without the ocean near. I'm quite spoiled these last years here, and there's just something that doesn't feel right deep within my soul when I'm too far from it.

Our view in the morning

From all the places we've lived in Ireland, our house now has to be the best.
It's the smallest, and we're all sharing rooms. But it has the best features (it's an old coaches house) and the scenery surrounding the house is just stunning.

When we walk out of the gate, this is what we see:

Isn't this one of the nicest views you've seen? I absolutely love it, especially early in the morning, when the fog is hanging around for a bit.
It always reminds me of this powerful Irish song, originally sung by Luke Kelly.
But I believe Sinead O'Connor and the Chieftains did an amazing job with their rendition:

source

Then, when we walk a few steps down the road, our own private road (the luxury!),
there's the old mansion ruin, that once belonged to an English baron, before it was bought by the Reed family who turned it into a guest house. In the 1950's, a farmer, and our landlord (who just passed away last year) bought the buildings and the land, but since he only wanted the land, and the taxes for a house like that were incredibly high, he removed the roof from the building.
Now, the earth has almost completely reclaimed it, with only a few remnants of the majestic place it once was.

Conclusion

I've not always seen eye to eye with this country. Especially the people. But there is breathtaking beauty here, even in the smallest things. When we leave here, I will always keep that beauty close to my heart. I won't miss the rain and the hardships we had to endure here at times, but the scenery, and the ocean...I always will.