The Cormorant or Black Shag photograghed in Ounavarragh River by Mick O Callaghan I was walking home along the Burrow Road in Courtown when all at once I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of a Broigheall or cormorant, neck held high and with wings fully stretched. It was such a striking posture  I come from a seaside village and spent a lot of my youth in Blennerville, Derrymore and Fenit pier and island. We did a lot of fishing and watching the comings and goings of bird

'Fungal Magic' at Spike Bridge , Courtown Woods. Photo by Mick O Callaghan I went for my daily stroll early this morning while the weather was fine. I parked in the main Courtown carpark and proceeded along the forest path between the canal and the Active Tribe complex. As I entered the woods I noted a motto attributed to John Muir (1838–1914) who was a  Scottish-born American naturalist, author, and environmental philosopher known as the " father of the National Parks " . 

Photo of A woodland tangle on Courtown Beach after Storm Chandra by Mick O Callaghan   I drove down to the Burrow Car Park in Courtown and parked my car, laced up my strong walking boots and headed for a beach and forest walk . I walked over The Burrow or White Gates Bridge which was the Earl of Courtown’s private entrance to the beach. I turned right and onto the forest path and right again over the little foot bridge while viewing widespread desolation caused by trees and

Photo of the entrance to The Souteraine in Courtown Woods by Mick O Callaghan  I am lucky to live close to Courtown woods and beach. It is fantastic to be able to ramble freely in this majestic area with its well maintained paths and trails, . My most frequent rambles are in the 25-hectare woods which date back to the 12th century. This forested area has had a very chequered history since then with many owners until they were acquired by the state in 1950.They are a real trea