"The Old Homeplace... The Western Shore, Ireland" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"The Old Homeplace... The Western Shore, Ireland"... 18x24" Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"St Mary's Lane, Kilkenny, Ireland" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"St Mary's Lane, Kilkenny, Ireland"... 30x15" Oil on wood by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

Tami and I thoroughly loved the old city of Kilkenny... it's old world charm was enchanting. The architectural treats like this one seemed to lurk down every alley and around every corner. We would have loved to have had more time to explore this medieval city in detail. Check out the links below for virtual tours...

St. Mary's Cathedral

Kilkenny: Ireland's Medieval City

A Kilkenny, Ireland Photographic Tour

Erin Grá Mo Chroí (Ireland Of My Heart)... Vale of Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland.

Erin Grá Mo Chroí (Ireland Of My Heart)... Vale of Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland... 18x24" Oil on gallery wrapped canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

What would a painting series of Ireland be without Celtic Crosses? This scene is set in Glendalough, County Wicklow, near the monastic Church of St Kevin. Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch, “Valley of the Two Lakes”) is a fascinating monastic settlement in a spectacular natural setting just an hour south of Dublin. The monastery was founded by St. Kevin, a hermit monk who died about 618 AD. The extensive ruins of Glendalough include several early churches, a graceful round tower, and various sites associated with the life of St. Kevin.

The title for this piece was inspired by a verse in the song Erin Gra' Mo Chroi (pronounced Erin Grah Ma Cree and translated... Ireland of my Heart). A fitting title since the small island did exactly that... captured our hearts!

Song verse from Erin Gra' Mo Chroi that inspired this painting...

On the day that I did part, well it broke my mother’s heart, Will I ever see my dear ones anymore? Not until my bones are laid in that cold and silent grave, In my own native land so far away..

Chorus: Erin gra mo chroi, you’re the dear old land to me, You’re the fairest that my eyes have ever seen, And if ever I go home, it’s from you I never will roam, My own native land far away.

Interesting links:

St. Kevin - founder of Glendalough

Kevin of Glendalough

History of Glendalough

Youtube video of Shannon Lambert-Ryan & Runa performing Erin, Grá Mo Chroí...

"A view of Kilkenny Castle from the River Nore"... County Kilkenny, Ireland

"A view of Kilkenny Castle from the River Nore"... County Kilkenny, Ireland... 16x12" oil on gallery wrapped canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

Kilkenny: Ireland's Medieval City

Suzanne Barrett's

Ireland for Visitors

YouTube video... Global Treasures KILKENNY Gill Chainnigh Ireland


Kilkenny Castle Shoot, Patrick Barron, cameraman