This morning's swell is a good 2 foot with a very light force 1 westerly onshore breeze.
Tides
Low 01.12 0.7m
High 06.41 3.8m
Low 13.23 0.8m
High 19.00 3.8m
Tide information sponsored by Finnegan's Shop Rossnowlagh
Below, apple blossom in bloom, 30 yards or so from the cliff edge.
An apple tree in bloom is a reminder that apples have been growing in Rossnowlagh for thousands of years. The word 'Rossnowlagh' means 'Headland of the apples' or 'Headland of the apple trees'. This is the translation given in Joyce's Irish Placenames, the scholarly 19th century text on Irish placenames. Certainly, apples still grow well in Rossnowlagh's mild climate and local farms still have several old orchards coming into bloom right now.
The rather hippy and incorrect translation floating about online dates from the 1960s. 'Heavenly cove' originated with a booklet written by a Franciscan Friar, Fr Simon, better known back then for his mission to the hippies which occasionally made newspaper headlines.
The ancient Irish didn't do hippy placenames. Their placenames referred to the uses or ownerhsip of land or any mythological, historical or religious association or some distinguishing topographical feature. eg Kilbarron, the church of St Barron, Coolmore, the big back (of a hill), Coolbeg, the small back (of the hill).
Anyone who wants to argue with me about this, go ahead. I have Joyce on my bookshelf. Meanwhile, everybody else enjoy this morning's apple blossom. Growing in Coolmore, actually, not quite Rossnowlagh but close enough. .
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