Here on the Dingle Peninsula I am emerging from one book to the next in The Rough Month of the Cuckoo.
Scairbhín na gCuach is the name given in Irish to the uncertain weeks between mid April to mid May when chilly winds from the north and the east can blast the early growth in the garden and send us scuttling home from walks on the mountain to nights of music by the fire.
Yet bright sunny days can tempt us out for lunch on the stone table in the garden under the sally tree. And last year's chard, sprouting broccoli, turnip tops and rocket struggle gallantly on, offering new shoots and flowers for salads, while fresh parsley, marjoram, garlic chives and fennel are springing in sheltered beds.
Last week I was standing around in a t-shirt in Killarney National Park posing for photos to promote Enough Is Plenty.
This week I'm wearing woolly socks under wellingtons and bundling up in a fleece. By the time we get to the book launch at The Dingle Whiskey Distillery on May 8th I'll either be shimmying around in crepe de Chine or wearing a Cossack hat. Feel free to join us if you happen to be in Dingle. Dress code will depend entirely on the Scairbhín.
Read about Enough Is Plenty - The Year On The Dingle Peninsula in the Sunday Independent's Country Matters column.
Hi Marina, Thank you for your lovely blog post about The House on an Irish Hillside. I'm so glad you're enjoying the book. ~ All good wishes, Felicity.