Mountain Grove

Ireland

One of my first WordPress posts was the one about Jenkinstown Woods. Now, after a year, I am visiting another bluebell forest, Mountain Grove – a loop trail just outside Piltown, Co Kilkenny.

Mountain Grove is an old woodland part of Piltown forest that is located in South West Kilkenny, covering an area of 1,823 hectares. The forest stretches to the Tipperary border on the west and to the Waterford border on the south, along  the river Suir. The main tree species growing in the forest include Sitka spruce, larch, Douglas fir, beech, ash and oak, with the broadleaves dominating in Mountain Grove – as you can see in the images.

Starting off from the tiny parking spot, I meet two dog walkers and from this moment I am there alone for a whole two hours.

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The quietness is almost surreal. The birds are nesting and prefer not to expose themselves, and I don’t see any presence of the mammals either – dogs have scared them away from the grove.

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The bluebells are scarce but nevertheless their fragrance is intense, sweet and alluring. I walk off the trail and feel like I disappear from the world and become a part of the wild woodland.

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Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

The Early purple orchid, once a common plant, is a rare guest in the woodlands. Many wild orchids are legally protected, but this fact does not stop people from picking them… A friend went to the Mountain Grove just three days later and didn’t find a single flower – all gone. People don’t realize that it takes years for the orchids to germinate.

The early purple orchid is the “long purple” of Ophelia’s garland, as referred to by Gertrude in Shakespeare’s Hamlet:

“Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples, that liberal shepherds give a grosser name”

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Different species of Ferns started unrolling their young fronds. In the image below – Hart’s tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium).

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And of course there is a beautiful yet nameless stream.

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I will be back!

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Hope you enjoyed the woodlands.

inesemjphotographyHave a happy week!

51 comments

    1. Thank you! Oh you are saying about those who pick the flowers? Education would help. For some people the “green stuff” doesn’t seem like a part of the life.

        1. I used to teach Botanic. Many people say that they see Flora as a green mass – they wouldn’t even distinguish a leaf from a stem, let alone species.

  2. This makes me feel peaceful and relaxed. I like John Denver songs which include our senses. Your photos could be on calendars since they are so beautiful.

  3. Oh how wonderful it looks there, and so nice you brought us along with you, Ines!! 🙂 What I like about being out in nature is how I feel more centered and regain balance.

    1. Thank you for stopping by. Now after two weeks it is flooded with bluebells, but I love the early spring when the trees start budding.

      1. Same here (near New York City)…we get a rare time where everything is still bare but the weather lets up, followed by that rare time which you speak of…blooming.

  6. What a beautiful clicks my elder friend .. this kind of perception come with age! it made my day.. i am going for a walk!

    Swetank.
    Be Bettr, Stay Bettr! 🙂

      1. Yes, for sure .. i am on my way .. Being Bettr is started for such reason .. to inspire others and foremost myself! 🙂 Thanks for all your lovely stupor my friend. I have learned so much from WordPress community. 98% here are elder than me here.. there is no way to miss the chance from learning from all of you! 😀

        Swetank.
        Be Bettr, Stay Bettr! 🙂

  7. Beautiful place and beautiful photography! Totally enjoyed the blog! Wish I could visit there – on my bucket list to get to Ireland.

    1. Thank you Andrea! I spent there almost two enjoyable hours, just in the very end of the walk I started feeling somewhat uneasy – I think it is because of the silence.

  12. Inese, thank you for sharing these stunning photos! You transported me to an enchanted forest. I could not imagine one so beautiful as what you’ve captured with your camera. Huge hugs. 🙂

  14. Excellent shots! Really enjoyed the slide show and the music!

  18. Blissfully serene, Inese, each picture speaks calm and peace on earth; if only the whole planet enjoyed such gifts.
    Beautiful pictures and excellent text – Thank You

    Big Hugs

    john

  19. Wow! Your photos captured that peaceful silence so well! You caught the light on those ferns so beautifully!

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