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 " .  ” And into the forest I go to lose my mind and fin

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

Thoughts for 2026 Image of the two faced Roman god Janus   I hope you have all recovered from the Christmas festivities and New Year celebrations as we head into a brand-new year with the welcome stretch in the day. My grandmother told us annually about the cock’s step or céim an choilligh, of 4 minutes extended daylight from the winter solstice on December 21 st.  The myth that there was a stretch of 4 minutes each day in daylight hours was not quite accurate. Ac