"Ladies View of Killarney Lakes" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

Title: "Ladies View of Killarney Lakes"... Ring of Kerry, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
Artist: Bernie Rosage Jr.
Size: 6x8"
Medium and Surface: Acrylic on canvasboard
Price: $40

Click HERE to see more detailed images and purchase safe and secure online from my Etsy Store.



About this painting:
Ladies View is a scenic point along of the Ring of Kerry, in Killarney National Park, Ireland. The name comes from admiration of the view given by Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting during their 1861 visit. Ladies View is the most famous and photographed view of Killarney and is approximately 11 miles from the town of Killarney, one of our favorite stays during our visit.

"Green Hilltops of Kerry" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

Title: "Green Hilltops of Kerry"... Ireland
Artist: Bernie Rosage Jr.
Size: 5x7"
Medium and Surface: Acrylic on canvasboard
Price: $30

Click HERE to see more detailed images and purchase safe and secure online from my Etsy Store.



About this painting:
Countdown to St Paddy's Day...

Thought for the Day... An Irish Prayer

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

"Ross Castle"... Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland

"Ross Castle"... Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland... 14x18" Oil on gallery wrapped canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr. 2009.

This was our view of Ross Castle as we were enjoying our jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park. It rained on and off that day... you get a sense of those ominous rain clouds rolling in in this painting.

Ross Castle sits on the edge of Killarney's lower lake and was built by O'Donoghue Mór in the 15th century. It was the last stronghold in Munster to hold out against Cromwell. It was eventually taken by General Ludlow in 1652.

"Ladies View"... Ring of Kerry, County Kerry, Ireland

"Ladies View"... Ring of Kerry, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland 14x18" Oil of gallery wrapped canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

Ladies View is a scenic point along of the Ring of Kerry, in Killarney National Park, Ireland. The name comes from admiration of the view given by Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting during their 1861 visit. Ladies View is the most famous and photographed view of Killarney and is approximately 11 miles from Killarney town, on the N71 to Kenmare.

Short YouTube video of "Ladies View" on the Ring of Kerry...

There are Umbrellas and then there are Irish Umbrellas! The quest to get WET in Ireland!

A trip to Ireland without rain would be like going to Disney World and never seeing Mickey Mouse. Some people dread rainy days but I have to be honest by saying "I love them"... I enjoy gray rainy days as much as I do bright sunny ones. Give me a day with ominous gray clouds where the sunlight streams through illuminating the landscape making the 40 shades of green POP and I'm in Heaven! Our trip surpassed our expectations and Tami and I got wet on several occasions. The rain didn't slow us up at all and we took to the streets of Dublin, Kilarney, and Galway City like ducks to a pond.

As an artist... I saw all the painting opportunities from the great scenes of the masses with umbrellas in hand and reflections galore... I must have taken 200 rain scene photos as references for future paintings. Below is a painting I did for my "Enchanting Ireland" series from one such photo. Above is a scene set in the Temple Bar District of Dublin.
"A Stroll in the Rain"... Dublin, Ireland by Bernie Rosage Jr.
8"H x 10"W x 1 3/4"D... Oil on gallery wrapped canvas. 12-2008. Click on painting to enlarge.

Tami and I soon came to the realization that there are two types of umbrellas... "Regular Umbrellas" and "Irish Umbrellas"! This young man obviously sports an "Irish Umbrella" as he strolls the streets of Dublin. The next sequence of photos show those of the "regular" type...

Here we are at the Dingle Peninsula on our tour of the "Ring of Kerry". We hope to visit the "Ring of Kerry" again on a clear day... you can see from this photo that the visibility was limited and we missed some spectacular views.

Tami in Temple Bar with her "Regular Umbrella" while it was still in fairly good shape.

Bernie at the Parade Ground of the Collins Barracks at the National Museum of History in Dublin with his...

At one point "Regular Umbrella #2" flew up in the air, circled through the street stopping traffic, and landed at my feet... all the while the handle was still in my hand and the locals were rolling with laughter.

Tami and I learned an important lesson on our trip to Ireland... stay away from those "Euro Store" umbrellas they stack by the register and ask where they keep the "Irish Umbrellas"...

Who let the DOGS out?!... Irish dogs have moxie!

Out tour guide, Allie, mentioned that men from County Kerry referred to as "Kerry Men" had a certain presence and charm... here in the south we call it swagger or moxie. We found it to be true with our Jaunting Car driver Billy and also with a sheep herder/dog trainer named Brenden Ferris (pictured below). In fact... he had the charisma and looks of Tom Selick. In addition to being a dog trainer, Brenden owns the Kells Sheep Centre. He has won awards from shepherding competitions all over Ireland. We had the pleasure of seeing Brenden and his dogs in action...



He impressed us with his knowledge and skill in working his Border Collie sheepdogs. These dogs were amazing... with a whistle here and there Brenden was able to get them to do anything.



A certain whistle would have them separate the sheep into groups, another would bring them down the slopes, etc... These dogs were well trained and very smart...



probably the smartest dogs I ever saw until...



I saw this one on the streets of Galway City reading a storefront sign...



Seems even the dogs in Ireland have swagger and moxie...
~
~
swag·ger –verb (used without object)
1. to walk or strut with a defiant or insolent air.
~
mox·ie –noun Slang.
1. vigor; verve; pep.
2. courage and aggressiveness; nerve.
3. skill; know-how.
[Origin: 1925–30, Americanism; after Moxie, a trademark (name of a soft drink)]
~

Here is a video of a sheep herding demonstration by Brenden and his dogs at his Kells Sheep Centre, County Kerry.

Kells Sheep Centre

Billy and The Irish Jaunting Car...

Tami and I got a real treat while staying in Killarney... a ride on a real Irish Jaunting Car. The real treat however was our driver, Billy... what a character!

Tami and I sat right up front in the driver's seat with him...

MISTAKE!!!!... he took a quick liking to my wife!

Of course I soon found out he took a liking to ALL women in general and my jealousy was soon replaced by his charming/witty entertainment! I wish I could remember his "1001 one liners"... everyone in the car took a fondness to him as he took a shine to ALL of the ladies. I came across this youtube video of an Irish Jaunting Car ride... can you guess who was driving?... that's right... our charming Billy!... a true Kerry Man according to our tour guide, Allie!

At one point Billy had Tami take over the reins and drive the car leading Rosebud (the horse) while he fixed the wheel. She did a great job... wish I had a photo of her doing so. The ride cost 13 euros per person and lasted about an hour. The ride and Billy's antics were worth the price but add the beautiful scenery of the Killarney National Park and the excursion was priceless!... especially when coming upon a scene like this...

If you are ever in Killarney... give Billy a call and set up a tour... you'll be glad you did!

Check out his website... Killarney Jarvey Billy Tangney of Killarney Jaunting Car Tours