PeaceNIreland - Information and inspiration from Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland

March 10 2023

Snow: Seasons

Couldn’t resist a walk round the lovely Hillsborough Lake in County Down in the snow this morning. I was reminded of our seasons and the fact that one season is for sowing and another is for reaping. We don’t do both in the same season. If your life or business feels like it’s in its winter season right now, then hang on, because Spring is coming. It’s a law and it never fails. Your Spring and Summer season will come.

PHOTOS & TEXT: John Callister

Hillsborough Lake, County Down, 10th March, 2023

March 1 2023

Past/Future: Theodore Roosevelt

Ruin of St Cuthbert's church, Ballytober Road, Bushmills, County Antrim

February 1 2023

January 1 2023

Happy New Year

A frozen Hillsborough Lake

December 20 2022

October 20 2022

Gratitude: Cicero

Botanic Gardens, Belfast

October 10 2022

Trees losing Leaves: Donald Miller

October 1 2022

Kindness: Henry James

Mussendon, County Antrim

September 7 2022

Who You Are: Bob Proctor

Killyleagh, County Down

August 17 2022

Focus and Consistency

Avoca Weaving Mill, County Wicklow

August 8 2022

Opportunities: Francis Bacon

Spelga Dam, County Down

August 2 2022

Leadership: Ted Ward

Castlerock clifftop looking towards Mussenden Temple, County Antrim

July 28 2022

Peace: Maha Ghosanada

Clough Castle, County Down, with Mourne Mountains in background

The small village of Clough in County Down houses the ruin of this motte and bailey castle, built in the late 12th century as part of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ulster. Its construction was managed by the prominent Knight, John De Courcy, who masterminded a programme of castle building to establish Anglo-Norman authority.

This castle at Clough would have controlled one of the main routeways into the area from the south and may also have acted as part of the defence of a larger castle at Dundrum, just a few miles away.

In the sixteenth century, the ruined ‘keep’ was rebuilt as a tower house. The castle sits on a 25ft artificial mound, giving a vantage point for lovely views over the surrounding countryside, including the Mourne Mountains.