Ian Bailey, the man accused of murdering a French woman, Sophie Toscan du Plantier, died today. Here he is in 2019, when he was selling his book, “The West Cork Way”, at a market in Skibereen.

Christmas lights line a wall heading to Abbeystrewry Church in Skibereen, Co Cork. Brightening up a dull, overcast, day with a cheery glow.

There’s no ceiling on this building. For the younger reader, watch. 🙂 This long derelict building in Skibereen is an unfortunate eyesore that’s surrounded by a lively town, and shops and buildings decorated for the Christmas season. It stands opposite the entrance to the lovely Abbeystrewry Church and nearby Aldi. I went back in time…

The bridge spanning the river outside Abbeystrowry Cemetery near Skibereen in County Cork. My wife was driving, I was able to enjoy the scenery! 🙂

The roofed gates of Abbeystrowry Cemetery near Skibereen in County Cork.

Abbeystrowry Cemetery is located near Skibereen in County Cork. It is the site of some of the mass graves used in the area during the famine around 1845. I didn’t know, or had forgotten there was a famine in 1740/1741 when 400,000 people died. That many people died on this little island of ours in…

A few months ago I posted a photo of General Michael Collins on the wall of the Eldon Hotel in Skibereen, Co Cork. That hotel received the “Best Business Premises” award in 1997. Unfortunately it appears they’ve run out of business judging by the state of the exterior.

Michael John (“Mick”) Collins (Irish: Mícheál Seán Ó Coileáin; 16 October 1890 – 22 August 1922) was an Irish revolutionary leader, Minister for Finance in the First Dáil of 1919, Director of Intelligence for the IRA, and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations. Subsequently he was both Chairman of the Provisional…