Dawn at Newtown Cove on Tramore Bay.
and Newtown Head. The third part of a trip around Southern Ireland.
Dawn at Newtown Cove on Tramore Bay.
Dominating Great Newtown Head is the Metal Man, a huge 18th century sailor at the top of one of the pillars built as a warning to approaching ships. Local legend says that if a girl hops around the base of the statue three times on one leg, she will be married within a year......I wonder if it has anything to do with the saying...hopping mad?
An interesting sign at Guillamene Cove next to Newtown Cove. A preserved 60 year old sign...but not a sign of the times. The writing underneath says that it is retained as a relic of times past.
One of the better sites in Ireland. Camping is a mixed experience here.....a short season, sites few and far between, very variable standards, and expensive by UK and Continental standards.It's not recommended to camp wild. But the Irish are very helpful and friendly....if you ask you can usually stay on someone's land.
Kilkenny Castle and Parklands. The National Ploughing Championships this year are taking place at nearby Cuffersgate.
Agricultural shows, particularly Ploughing and Hurling, seem to be amongst the most popular outdoor activities in Ireland rivalling football and is extensively covered on both the radio and TV. The tailbacks on the roads here, have been 10 miles long and over 200 thousand visitors are predicted during the three days of the show.
Ploughing Championships have taken place every year since 1931, when two neighbours argued which county had the best Ploughman. Ploughing as a sport between neighbours has been going on for hundreds of years. There are over 300 competitors, and many different categories....it is one of Ireland's biggest outdoor events, and one of the biggest Agricultural Fairs in Europe.
Arrivals are also by Helicopter....including the Irish Taoiseach, Brian Cowen.
The Tractors earlier......
.......now mainly the Horse drawn ploughs.
The trade areas cover over 70 acres.
....and a Fairground as well.