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Galway Road Trip Galway Bay
Fishing.com
“And then take heed lest you fall upon
the island of Ireland for fear of the harm Boat Trips
that may happen unto you upon that
coast” c0a8ll6 854 7890
[A warning contained in the sailing instructions or kevin@galwaybayfishing.com for info
to the Spanish Armada invasion fleet if having
failed in their attempt to invade England in 1588 DayTrips 9am - 6pm
and were forced to circumnavigate the British evening trips 6 - 9.30pm
Isles.]
Spiddle- An Spidéal
“the hospital”
“about twelve miles from Galway one reaches Spiddal, a
village which lies on the borderland between the fairly
prosperous districts near Galway and the barren country
further to the west. Like most places of it’s kind, it has a
double row of houses - ... a large police barrack among
them, and a little to one side a coastguard station, ending
up at either side of the village with a chapel and a church.”
(Synge writing at the turn of the last century.)
Naomh Brigit - Brigit’s Garden
For an unforgettable excursion into Ireland’s Celtic Spirituality and ancient seasonal celebrations it is well worth
making the trip to Brigit’s Garden. Named after the Irish Saint and ancient Celtic Goddess, Brigit, this garden
centers itself around the theme of the seasonal festivals celebrated by the ancient Celtic people. There are four
gardens – Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasa, each named for the festival and designed to represent the
seasons as well as stages of our cycle of life from conception and birth through reproduction and death. These
gardens complement beautifully the native landscape features of western Ireland.
The Samhain Garden marks the beginning of the Celtic cycle, celebrated with the festival at Halloween. The
design represents the quiet reflective time of the winter season, in preparation for the new beginnings of the
birth of spring. The Imbolc Garden is representative of spring, and the festival celebrated on February 1st, also
known as St. Brigit’s Day. The garden features an orchard and meadow, and a play area with basketwork swings
representing beginnings and childhood. The Bealtaine Summer Garden is set in a meadow and features the
bed of Diarmuid and Gráinne, the young lovers. A ring of wildflowers surrounds it. The sculpture called The
Flame Figures, as well as the throne made of oak, symbolize the season of coming into adulthood and claiming
power in the prime of the cycle and life. The Lughnasa Autumn Garden is named for the mythical hero Lugh
Lamh Fada. Each year a festival bearing his name begins in August and celebrates the harvest. According to the
mythology, so long as Lughnasa is celebrated, “Ireland shall not be without song”. An invitation for us to appre-
ciate all that we have in our lives, our own personal “harvest”. Here, a group of standing stones mark off an area
for dancing so feel free to get into that ancient Spirit! Three yew trees at the exit represent death and the end of
the yearly Celtic cycle. At the centre of the four gardens sits a roundhouse, built as a shelter for meetings and
meditation. The park also features a nature trail and provides educational sessions for both adults and children.
These amazing gardens were designed by Mary Reynolds, winner of the world famous Chelsea Flower Show in
2002.
146
Fishing.com
“And then take heed lest you fall upon
the island of Ireland for fear of the harm Boat Trips
that may happen unto you upon that
coast” c0a8ll6 854 7890
[A warning contained in the sailing instructions or kevin@galwaybayfishing.com for info
to the Spanish Armada invasion fleet if having
failed in their attempt to invade England in 1588 DayTrips 9am - 6pm
and were forced to circumnavigate the British evening trips 6 - 9.30pm
Isles.]
Spiddle- An Spidéal
“the hospital”
“about twelve miles from Galway one reaches Spiddal, a
village which lies on the borderland between the fairly
prosperous districts near Galway and the barren country
further to the west. Like most places of it’s kind, it has a
double row of houses - ... a large police barrack among
them, and a little to one side a coastguard station, ending
up at either side of the village with a chapel and a church.”
(Synge writing at the turn of the last century.)
Naomh Brigit - Brigit’s Garden
For an unforgettable excursion into Ireland’s Celtic Spirituality and ancient seasonal celebrations it is well worth
making the trip to Brigit’s Garden. Named after the Irish Saint and ancient Celtic Goddess, Brigit, this garden
centers itself around the theme of the seasonal festivals celebrated by the ancient Celtic people. There are four
gardens – Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasa, each named for the festival and designed to represent the
seasons as well as stages of our cycle of life from conception and birth through reproduction and death. These
gardens complement beautifully the native landscape features of western Ireland.
The Samhain Garden marks the beginning of the Celtic cycle, celebrated with the festival at Halloween. The
design represents the quiet reflective time of the winter season, in preparation for the new beginnings of the
birth of spring. The Imbolc Garden is representative of spring, and the festival celebrated on February 1st, also
known as St. Brigit’s Day. The garden features an orchard and meadow, and a play area with basketwork swings
representing beginnings and childhood. The Bealtaine Summer Garden is set in a meadow and features the
bed of Diarmuid and Gráinne, the young lovers. A ring of wildflowers surrounds it. The sculpture called The
Flame Figures, as well as the throne made of oak, symbolize the season of coming into adulthood and claiming
power in the prime of the cycle and life. The Lughnasa Autumn Garden is named for the mythical hero Lugh
Lamh Fada. Each year a festival bearing his name begins in August and celebrates the harvest. According to the
mythology, so long as Lughnasa is celebrated, “Ireland shall not be without song”. An invitation for us to appre-
ciate all that we have in our lives, our own personal “harvest”. Here, a group of standing stones mark off an area
for dancing so feel free to get into that ancient Spirit! Three yew trees at the exit represent death and the end of
the yearly Celtic cycle. At the centre of the four gardens sits a roundhouse, built as a shelter for meetings and
meditation. The park also features a nature trail and provides educational sessions for both adults and children.
These amazing gardens were designed by Mary Reynolds, winner of the world famous Chelsea Flower Show in
2002.
146
