This is one of the most peaceful views in the country. You are slowly driving uphill watching for pheasants and cars coming in the opposite direction, and when you finally reach the top of the hill you stop for a second to take in the view of the green fields dotted with ancient trees – a pastoral landscape rolling towards the Comeragh Mountains. Curraghmore Demesne, beautiful like a picture.
I parked my car at the Clonegam Church gate and used the stony steps to get on the other side of the wall. The whole herd of cows stopped grazing and stared at me. I crept along the wall and tried to blend with background. My target was too far away, and I didn’t want any cow companion to follow me. First I had to reach this group of trees encircled with stones.
If you enlarge this picture, you will see the object I was heading to in the distance.
I am getting closer.
Finally there. Good afternoon, Mother Brown!
No one really knows what Mother Brown is. She is not listed in the Archeology inventory, and majority think that she was made 300 years ago. Not me. I am sure that her presence right near the stone circle and the grove of beech trees, which make you think of druids, has a meaning. If you still believe that all of this – the Mother, the trees and the stones are a folly, you have never stood in the grove, and never looked in Mother Brown’s face.
Mother Brown looks down the valley at the Curraghmore House, the ancestral home of Lords Waterford. I will write about my visit to the house later in November.
I fight the temptation to touch Mother Brown. How can I be sure she won’t find it disrespectful. I also mumble my apologies when I am taking pictures of her. Wishing her well, I retire to the beech trees and step over the stone circle fighting my doubts that I might get it all wrong again. But suddenly I feel peace and know that I am not offending anyone by standing there. I pat the tree trunks and we have a small chat.
I take a few photographs from the grove.
There are many tree stumps at various stages of decay.
Some of them are quite recent.
I have a thing for beech trees. Not only are they majestic and beautiful, but they also feed an army of wild creatures. They are like an autonomic world, an entity that will function long after we are all gone.
In the picture below you see the Clonegam church I have already written about.
As I was walking between this point and the church, many things happened.
First of all, I came across two sheep corpses of which I took pictures but won’t display them in this blog. I am afraid that the sheep died due to the complicated labor, and wild foxes and other predators finished the job. Sad.
Then I investigated the wall trying to figure out what was that sound that scared me on my visit last year. I didn’t find any answers on this side of the wall and decided to go to the graveyard again since it was still light. I have never forgotten that knocking sound. I know that at the steps of the church there is a footprint from goat, and it is haunted. Was that the sound of goat’s hooves clicking on the stone path?
To my surprise, the back gate was closed, and there was a small horse trailer standing at the front porch. I thought that was very strange. I kept walking towards the hole in the wall to climb over to my car when just behind my shoulder, someone said “huh” twice.
I jumped in the air and turned around. There was no one.
Slightly shaken, I walked faster, and then there was another ‘huh’. This time I realised it was coming from above. I lifted up my face in horror, and saw a group of goats looking down at me.
I was never so happy to see a goat…
The goats came running to the front gate where I stood. I think they were left in the graveyard to clear it of weeds, and thought I brought them some snacks to add to their boring diet. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any goat snacks with me.
As the front gate was closed, I tried to stick out my lens between the rails, but it didn’t work well and my pictures came out ‘framed’. Still, it was a fun photo session.
This one was a true sweetheart. He was standing and looking at me after all the other goats left. He pressed his forehead to the rails, and I was scratching his head and patting his back, and he loved it.
One of the Clonegam mysteries was solved.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Making memories 
How wonderful. The countryside there is just beautiful.. I think that “huh” would have scared me too! Thank goodness for the goats. Another fab walk Inese! xx Have a great weekend xx
Thank you so much :). I though somebody had been watching me all the way and finally made themselves known. These goats scared all air out of me, but man, how happy I was to see that it was just them 🙂
Oh, I believe in Mother Brown! Thanks for taking us along
Thank you for coming along. This land is sacred, and you can feel that.
What a nice place for Mother Brown to hang out over the centuries.
You would love the place. Such peace there, and the famous house sits under your feet. Today I am posting something about the house 🙂
I would have totally jumped out of my skin!! What a wonderful walk, thank you for showing me Mother Brown!!
Thank you so much! Yes, my heart just stopped beating for a second. I was walking under the crosses along the 2,5 m high wall. You can find more pictures of the place if you click on the link in the text. The place looks mysterious from the first moment you arrive 🙂
I remember the first post you wrote about the place, and the strange knocking sounds!! Glad that there was a perfectly natural explanation!! 🙂
Thank you 🙂
LOL… darned sneaky, mischievous goats! (But their faces are so lovely.)
Inese, I love the mix of past, present, folklore, and mystical that you give us in your narratives. The photos are always breathtaking. These scenes calm my soul. Thank you for bringing us along on another adventure. Hugs!
Thank you so much, Teagan! I am happy you like these walks. There are places where the myth and reality get so blended that it is easier to just enjoy the moment rather than try to comprehend it 🙂 Hugs.
I just love the commentary you add to your photography Inese, so entertaining. That final photo of the goat, so cute! Also a big fan of tree photography too. 🙂
Thank you so much, Marje! That goat was something else 😉 Glad you find this walk entertaining. It is one of my favorite places to be, and a source of many of my adventures 🙂
Oh so lovely to come on your special walk with you Inese. 🙂
Glad to have such a wonderful company 🙂
Glad to have such a wonderful company 🙂
I’m truly fascinated by your little trips and explorations. 🙂 You come across the most interesting objects and curious animals. Beautiful captures as always.
Thank you! This place always surprises me 🙂
Nothing is more scary than a gang of goats! I’m glad you made it out alive.
A gang of haunted goats is much worse, but this time I got through ok 😉
Your blogs always amaze me! Absolutely entertaining and the photos are great! I love the goat pictures and found it funny how all the cows looked at you as you tried to be inconspicuous. Of course the landscape is totally beautiful. Wish I was there.
Thank you Syd! It is difficult to blend in when you have to cross a field of grass 🙂 I don’t know what I would do if the cows ran behind me. There is a stone wall all around the pasture. I would probably have to cling to Mother Brown’s lap 🙂
Well there is nothing like close up pics of cows!
From behind the fence, may be ;(
A beautifully written and photographed trip. I really identified with the respect inspired by Mother Brown
Thank you Derrick!
Wonderful Ireland, I have never been so thank you for showing us some of the more gorgeous parts of it. I thought Mother Brown was quite amazing but loved the dear goats, especially the one who wanted some attention. ( I hated the ear tags though).
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the walk.
The ear tags look so humiliating on these intelligent animals.
What a lovely mysterious place. I would hesitate to go there on my own though. 🤗 💙 your photos amd story as always.
Thank you Imelda! I am watching my back 🙂
The account read like a pilgrimage. It is tranquil, picturesque, pristine and surreal. The grove of trees standing guard on the downs, and the goats among the graves beckoning the lone visitor add up to the aura of mysterious Mother Brown. Are you sure those caprine beings you met were real?
Thank you so much! No, I am not sure at all. The haunted goat footprint at the church steps is a serious source of concern. Everything in this place looks mysterious. I am going to be in the area in the end of December, so I will stop by again.
Really a great post! The goats, however, are totally upstaging. What adorable creatures they are. Luv this part of the world, and TY, Inese for showing it!
Thank you for loving the goats, Resa 🙂 Them and the donkeys are my favorites.
I love all animals! I told my hubby that I would love a pet goat if we weren’t in the city. He said goats were scary. Then I showed him pics of goats reacting to & with people. He fell in love! ❤
They are not scary at all. Sweet and loving, like most of animals. Some old wild goats can have a diabolic look, but it is only a look. Just show them some love and see what happens. ❤
❤ ❤
Precious animals. It certainly is a magical place isn’t it. Your pictures have captured it so beautifully.
Thank you so much, Michele!
Thank you for yet another magical – and mystical – journey:))
What a gorgeous post, full of fun and mystery, love and cuteness. Loved it. 💜
Thank you Miriam!
What a magical experience Inese. Mother Brown watching over the field below. Goats grazing in a graveyard. Ancient beech grove. All of it sounds like a wonderful getaway. Thanks for taking us with you.
Thank you so much Gabe! I am glad you like this peaceful corner of our countryside 🙂
Beautiful landscape, and photography!! 😎
Thank you Kevin! 🙂
What an interesting glade with Mother Brown sitting peacefully at its center watching over the valley. I enjoy the photos, Inese, as well as your reverence for the sacredness of the place. And thank goodness you were only hearing goats! They’re adorable.