The full team

Summer at Fruit Hill

Some lovely photos from a French family who spent their summer holiday with us last year. The picture of the little girl was taken at Hook Head.
Lots of children here again this year, enjoying mostly fine weather so there have been picnics on the beach and trips to Kennedy park. We've also had three honeymoon couples staying - a summer of romance
The Tall Ships Race at the end of June was a
great weekend, and this year's Dunbrody Festival in
New Ross had sunshine all the way.
This is Kilkenny Arts week with a great programme of events;
the sand sculpting festival in Duncannon is coming up next, and Heritage Week with free events all over the County.

Easter

We've had beautiful weather this Easter, and visitors from Wales, Dublin, France and England to enjoy it. The bluebells are in bloom; the peahens are thinking about nesting, and everyone's had more than enough chocolate.
Sadie and I did the tour of the new Waterford Crystal Visitors' Centre and found it very interesting. Also they have a cafe there which is run by the same team as our favourite place in Waterford - the Park Lodge Cafe.
On the subject of food, congratulations to Billy Whitty of our local restaurant, Aldridge Lodge (http://www.aldridgelodge.com/) who is Wexford's top chef of the year. He'd certainly get my vote !

Kilmore Quay

Happy 65th birthday to Jim who spent the past week staying in the Garden Cottage. Jim and Susan are from Kent and this was their first time in Ireland. Here's what they put in the visitors' book :

"Came to relax and enjoy Ireland: Mission accomplished, but we will have to return as there is so much to see and do.
Travelled as far as Limerick and Cork, explored many small villages and sampled a lot of Irish cuisine. All rather splendid ! Favourite place was Kilmore Quay - spent most of the day there exploring the beach and dining in the Crazy Crab bistro.
Fruit Hill will stay in our thoughts for a long time. The place is amazing and hosts Susan and Richard the best !
Thank you for making us so welcome. Hope to come back soon, perhaps with the rest of our family."
We hope you will come back soon - it's always nice to see people coming back to us.

Buzzards in Wexford

The Buzzard population in Ireland has been making a steady recovery, but the bird-watchers' websites don't seem to know that there are two pairs at Fruit Hill. Yesterday was fine and sunny, and we were treated to an amazing display of aerobatics high in the sky over our heads.


This is just an approximation !

St. Patrick's Day today, and there are parades all over the place. It hasn't rained yet, but the buzzards won't be flying high today judging by the clouds.
Happy St Patrick's Day

Drama, fire, delicacy, humour and virtuosity on

RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s all-Mozart Spring tour with

pianist and director Finghin Collins

The Mozart Piano Concerti cycle continues…

WIT College Street Chapel, Waterford | Friday 11 March | 8pm

www.rte.ie/nationalsymphonyorchestra

Skyfest in Wexford 19th March

Address:

On the Quay ,
Wexford Town,
Wexford,
Republic of Ireland

Description:

On the 19th March 2011 Skyfest in association with The National Lottery takes place in Wexford Town. A spectacular night is anticipated on the Wexford quays, the biggest ever, awe inspiring fireworks, and music extravaganza will light up the sky.

This is just the forth time that the fireworks and musical spectacular will take place outside Dublin. OVER 50,000 people are expected to pack onto Wexford’s quays for the biggest one-day festival to ever come to town.

The Hook in February

The whales and dolphins are back off the Hook again ( see Irish Times report http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0201/1224288694464.html).
Gazing out to sea is always a great way to recharge the batteries, but when there's an aquatic display going on it gives you a real boost. The Hook Penninsula in winter is just as spectacular as any other time of year - more dramatic even. You need to be warmly dressed of course.

Our new web site is nearly ready; designed and built by genius webmaster Ed Devane. I hope it will direct more visitors to this blog, and lots more visitors to this beautiful and unique corner of Ireland in 2011.

Festivals 2011

Tall Ships returning summer 2011