English version follows the Gaeilge!
Mí na Marbh mo thóin!! Tá'n áit seo beo le hoibreacha athnuachana. Cloistear cnagaíl an chasúir agus druileáil ó dhubh go dubh sa tigh seo anois.Tá obair mhór ar siúl againn ag athchóiriú is ag uasghrádú an tigh chun a chinntiú go gcothófar na caighdeáin is airde chompóird dár n-aoínna! Cé gur obair mhór í is fiú an tairbhe an trioblóid! Idir seo agus ár n-athoscailt ar an gcuigiú lá de Mhárta 2020 beidh an áit péinteáilte, athchóirithe agus níos compordaí ná riamh. Tá an gairdín á fheabhsú chomh maith; marsin níl aon áit anseo timpeall inar féidir leat do shúil a leagadh gan obair agus dushlán eile a fheiceáil romhat! ( is fíor don té a dúirt- ná bíonn deireadh riamh le hobair na mban!) Roinnt blianta ó shin nuair a bhuail stoirm Ophelia sinn, leag sí na crainnte móra agus leag na crainnte móra an balla timpeall ar an ngairdín agus ó shin i leith táimid ag caint ar an tslí is fearr chun an bearna a líonadh, bhíomar chun balla nua a chur in áit an tseancheann ach anois tá fál nua curtha isteach againn. Chaitheamar go leor ama ag plé an rogha plandaí is fearr a d'oirfeadh don áit. Bhí dian -chaith ann faoi cé acu crainn duillsilteacha nó crainn síorghlasa is fearr a d'oirfeadh. I ndeireadh báire bheartaíomar meascán a chur ann a sholathróidh fothain don Lonn Dubh, agus bia dos na héiníní beaga i rith an gheimhridh agus a chuirfeadh neachtar ar fáil dos na beacha. Chuireamar isteach Sceach Gheal, Cuileann agus Róiseanna. Plandaí iad a fhásann sna áiteanna is lú fothain. Cuirfidh siad le háilleacht an ghairdín agus cothóidh siad éiníní, feithidí agus beacha; méadóidh na plandaí seo gnathóga agus méadóidh sin an bhithéagsúlacht sa cheantar. Táimse ag súil anois go mbeidh taispeántas deas de bhlathanna áille, sméara agus duilleoga ildaite ann dúinn ar feadh an blianta romhainn amach agus fiú má thagann stoirm eile ar nós Ophelia ní dócha go loitfidh sí na plandaí seo!.Tharla ócáid stairiúil ar an oileán inné, seoladh an jin, '3 SQ. Miles'. ó Dhrioglann Inis Cléire, is í an drioglann seo an t-aon drioglann ar oileán ar Chósta na hÉireann. Is táirge álainn é, le blas na háite go smior ann. Tá blasáin Deora Dé, Féithleann agus Ceilp ann. Táimse ag súil go mór leis an jin a úsáid mar chomhábhar san ardtae tráthnóna a bheidh againn arís i rith na féile 'A Taste Of West Cork'. Is eacht mhór í agus is cinnte to mbeidh tóir ar an jin sainiúil seo.
November is often referred to as the month of the dead, well I thought I would be relaxing after a wonderful season but no! Its as busy now as the height of summer. We are undertaking some substantial renovation works, painting and even the garden is getting an overhaul, in fact anywhere I look now all I can see is another challenge/ job to be done! By the time we open again on St. Ciaráns' Day.March 5th the whole house will be upgraded, painted and offer more comfort to our wonderful guests. The garden wall was severly damaged when storm Ophelia knocked down our lovely mature pine trees and since then we have been debating the right approach to fill the gap. Initially we awere going to rebuild the wall but over time the arguments moved to a decision between using evergreen or deciduous plants to create a new hedge. Finally we have decided to use plants that will withstand any storm no matter how bad. These plants will offer a home for blackbirds and food for small birds in winter as well as offering nectar to bees in May- hopefully adding to habitats for biodiversity, We chose to replant with Hollies, White Thorn, Dog Roses and a lovely rose called Hansa. In theory we will have a nice mix of evergreen and varigated leaves, as well as blossom and berries providing interest all year round. The coppice has also been further extended to include an area of trees planted just because they are pretty, included are Silver Birch, Paper Birch and Lime trees. In time these will create a woodland and offer another area of habitat for birds, insects and bees. Yesterday was a historic day on Cape, the very first batch of gin from the local distillery was launched. '3 Sq. Miles' is really a distillation of a taste of the island, it includes local botanicals, Fuchia, Honeysuckle and Kelp. Drioglann Inis Cléire is the only Irish island distillery and the gin tastes fantastic, I am looking forward to using it as an ingredient for treats as part of our afternoon tea event during 'A Taste of West Cork' festival next year.Of course November is also Christmas Shopping time and no doubt you are having to buy something special for the friend -who-has -everything well the answer to your woes is here! Get in touch and order a gift voucher from us and your special someone can enjoy a wonderful break here in our newly renovated house and garden in 2020!! Now I have to dash, get my boots on and plant in the remaining new trees! Beir Bua!
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