Homes, Castles, Cottages and Green Hills
I'm not sure exactly why, but I've always been interested in the homes, castles, cottages and green hills of Ireland. I've learned a lot about the picturesque, the plain and the absolutely astounding while traveling through Ireland this month. So to answer those of you who have wondered about my travels in Ireland, here are few random thoughts and some words on real property there.
Even though family lore (the O'Donnell Family of Donegal) and stories of rich farmlands, lace curtains and thatched roof cottages intrigued me as a child, having grown up in the Motor City, I never knew that much about the Old Sod, just that Asheville and surrounding areas reminded many of my relatives of Ireland, and tidbits from tales passed down. After various sets of my cousins returned from their visits to Ireland,to regale us with stories of beauty and storms, I imagined so much. But this trip was my "first time" to our ancestral home, and all the Cousins were going together this time. Twenty-four of us. On a bus.
I wonder if award-winning tour guide, Ronan McNamarra, possibly the only Buddhist in Ireland, who joined us in Derry, had ever encountered such a crew. What must he think of all the tears shed when he explained history and politics in Northern Ireland. He mentioned that some thought delving into this subject could spell disaster. Ronan, however, has turned the experiences into a breath-taking story, explaining historical and political significance of the sights and landmarks with utter diplomacy. We all thought he might be the next President of Ireland, so magnificent was he.
I asked Ronan about the housing market today. Northern Ireland's housing market has been riding high on the back of a strengthening economy, but the significance of peace to the region is clearly evident as prices have shot up by 281 per cent since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. The average price paid for a house in Ireland in July now is t €301,267. Here's a bit of history on the housing market.
I' m certainly no expert on the homes, cottages, green hills of Ireland and castles, but I do know a bit about the ancestral home of Our Family. Having heard about it for decades, this was the trip all of us saw it on a sunny day. Built in the 1400s, it stands in Donegal centuries later, still an amazing structure. I don't know if I would like to live in a castle. What do you think?
Certainly, there's a lot more to the housing market and land use in Ireland than what follows, but I wanted to pass along a few photos and things I've learned.
•· Huge Growth in Housing Market: According to Global Property Guide , "... price rises have one major explanation, the exceptional growth of the Irish economy. In 2006, Ireland experienced 5.6% real GDP growth, and 6.5% real GNP growth. Ireland's economic growth is way beyond EU average growth. Unemployment has fallen from 15% in the early 1990s to 4.4% in the first quarter of 2007.
Ireland experienced average GDP growth of 9.8% during the six years 1995-2000, with no less than 10.7% real GDP growth achieved in 1999, and 11.7% in 1997. In 1993, GDP per capita was 84% of the EU average, but by 2002, it had risen to 126%. Few countries experience such stellar growth GDP rates without setting off major property price rises. "
•· From Thatched Cottage to Developments I was expecting to see many thatched roof dwellings as we toured Ireland. But things have changed, and the one photo you see (above) here is my only find.
In fact, according to MSN Encarta , "... most Irish people live in [concrete] houses, although apartments are growing in popularity as urban densities increase. In the countryside, traditional farmhouses constructed of stone or dried peat and covered with thatched roofs have been largely replaced by modern dwellings. Today, most homes are made from concrete, brick, or mortared stone and have tile roofs. In rural areas peat is still cut and dried for use as fuel for cooking and heating."
Next installment: The Flowers in Ireland!
What an interesting blog! I've been away for so long, and am now just catching up. Have you taken a trip to Ireland recently? I've been in Greece for the past 5 weeks or so taking care of my sick dad, and have been fascinated with the real estate industry there. Luckily I can read Greek and I have been spending all of my free time reading the real estate ads in the newspapers (and even brought some home with me!) All of the homes are concrete or stone, I guess just like in Ireland. It has made me jealous for a strong concrete home!
By the way, I can *definitely* get used to living in a castle!!
Hey janeAnne, we get to see photos! :) I don't think that I could live in a castle either..
Their growth is amazing! Wow. It also sounds like Ronan was an excellent tour guide! Thanks for sharing with us and I can't wait to see the flowers. :)
I am gree with envy! My inlaws (Connors) have roots there and just visted Dublin as well. I cant wait to see more of your journey and love your housing report!
now, wheres the fun photos of 24 cousins on a bus! :-)
janeAnne, faith and begorrah! 24 cousins? one bus? OMG. Did you pick up any of the Gaelic?
Bill Roberts
JaneAnne - what an interesting trip and how wonderful you were able to get 24 cousins together at the same time! No doubt just a small part of the family! I would love to live in a castle like that! Someday I would like to take a journey over!
I have several books from our family and interestingly enough, one of them is titled "The O'Donnell Dynasty." There is a photocopy of the O'Donnell Donegal Castle in the book! Looks very similar to the picture you have above! Could it be the same? The connection would be my maternal Grandfather, John Foley, who is a decendent of the O'Donnell's. I am perhaps a long lost cousin who did not make the trip?
janeAnne, I was wondering where you were lately !
My Father's side emigrated from Ireland to North America in the 1700s and early 1900s so I find your post very fascinating. Ireland is very beautiful and I read last year that it is rated the number one country in the world for 'quality of life'.
I'm looking forward to your next post...beautiful writing.
Jo
JaneAnne:
Thanks for the touch of beauty. That is incredible. Makes me want to move right away. Ha.
Have a great day!
Todd~
You bring up an interesting point about simplicity. This does seem to be a theme in many of the homes in Ireland.
Sally~
Good-Eye! It IS a "small" castle as castles go. Just three stories high...the lowest floor (ground floor) was the storage shed...goods fro trading...above that the eating and festivity rooms...and the third florr was for deep and not-so-deep sleep depending on who was marauding.
Dena~
At least 5 of my cousins on this trip are REALTORS...so we really were aware of the housing market and construction happening in Ireland.Good topics for discussion, and interesting perspectives.
Jeannie~
First of all...hope your Dad is recovered.
I want to know more about your perspective on real estate abroad. How "green" is it?
Barbara-Jo & Bill~
Well...your comment made me smile. I have a huge collections of photos from this trip to Ireland. I will try to drop a few in to my posts over the next month or two. I really appreciate your kind words.
Stephanie~
If you ever go across the sea to Ireland, be sure to go on a walking tour with Ronan. he is a master story-teller and diplomat. As I listened to him share his experience of life now and during the Troubles, I was reminded of how we can provide context for our clients in diplomatic ways...
photos of flowers...look for the really good ones in about a week...=) (I'm still about two weeks behind from my vacation and have clients in town...) ..hope to be able to get back to reading posts and commenting very soon
Michele~
Ireland is just a short hop away.Be sure to go. No problem with air travel. As for bus trips with 24 cousins...if you insist...I'll post a photo. What an experience! YOWZAH!
Janie~
One day as I was getting off the bus, I noticed a lone horse in a rich green field..at the same moment he noticed me. He raised his head and looked right at me. I think he was saying to himself..."she looks like she has an apple..." It was a highlight of my trip...and I have a photo! As we both are horse property specialists, I thought you'd like that story...and it must be a good omen, eh?
Leigh~
I have heard about that castle since I was a wee-thing upon my Daddy's knee...and he could say the same thing....and so could his Dad...So, you are right, it was an amazing experience, especially when sharing it with 24 cousins. We formed a circle on the green grass in the courtyard, joined hands, sang a song...and offered a prayer for those who came before us and are still to come. . .
Bill~
And I would guess you might be one who could easily speak "THE Irish"? Did you know that there are places in Ireland where that is all that is spoken? The road signs are in "The Irish" and English. I have a photo I'll post one of these days...
Lysa~
It was very strange to find that the several castles I visited were not cold or damp. But maybe that was because I had on five layers of clothes, eh? At night, when lit by candlelight and with the music of the 14th century in live performance, I will tell you, castles can be joyful places...but so can cottages...
Mary~
Have you been to Ireland? I hope you get a chance to visit (again)...I would like to see the north coast in every season. Michigan and Washington State and Western North Carolina have much in common with the terrain in Ireland...where, in good times, everyone is either someone's cousin or friend...
Susan~
isn't it amazing to notice various buildings from the standpoint of a REALTOR?,,,Do you think there were real estate people back in the 1400s?
Jo-Anne~
you commented that , " Ireland is very beautiful and I read last year that it is rated the number one country in the world for 'quality of life'." I didn't know that but I could see why many think it so...especially the Irish! One suggestion for our friends in Ireland...It would be nice if we could see a little more GREEN on our plates at dinner-time...some organic vegetable farming might help...
janeAnne, Ireland has always been on my list of places to visit - thanks for the reading enjoyment about the structures and people there. My ancestors are Flaherty, it would be fun to go there and meet some of them. Have you been to Ireland?
Pat~
Top of the day to ya'... I just returned from a family visit to Ireland . I hope you get to visit Galway Bay one day. ..especially since you mentioned being a Flaherty. We heard a good bit about the Flaherty's (O'Flaherty's) from a tour guide while we were in Galway . They were reputed to be a strong and bright clan. (Good ingredients for a real estate professional, eh?)
Here 's Wikipedia confirming that:
O'Flaherty is the anglicized version of the Gaelic Ó Flaithbheartaigh, which is commonly translated as "bright ruler". The clan motto is Fortuna Favet Fortibus, or "Fortune Favors the Bold". There are many incarnations of the name, including Flaherty,Fleharty, Flaverty, Faherty, Fairty, Laverty, and Lafferty. The O'Flahertys were war-like, as evidenced by the sign which is said to have hung over the west gate of the city of Galway: "from the ferocious O'Flahertys may God protect us". Unlike their merchant neighbours in this Anglo-Norman city, the O'Flahertys kept the Brehon Laws, in which The O'Flaherty, the clan leader or taoiseach was chosen from among the extended family of the clan chief as opposed to his eldest son, as would be the case in English Law. The O'Flahertys controlled their lands from a series of castles, the largest of which, Aughnanure, near Oughterard, is open to the public today.
JaneAnne - I have not been there. My sister has been a couple of times....one of these days!
Yes, the likening to Ireland is why my relatives settled in the thumb of Michigan. Also, I understand, to get away from the war. They had enough of fighting in Ireland! I can't wait to hear more!
Mary~
You mentioned your family left Ireland to get away from the fighting...Hard to raise a family in such circumstances.While in Ireland, I saw a huge mural that took up the entire side of a 2-story building that depected a 14-year old girl who was the victim of "the fighting"...in most recent times called "The Troubles"...It brought a tear to my eyes..
Kathleen~~
I wondered how many layers the ladies would have to don to keep warm...but then..when I am out showing land, I do the same thing =)
janeAnne, Hi and thanks for your comments and all the information about the Flaherty clan. Aren't you a bunch of fun! I would love to hear more about Ireland. Please do a blog about your trip. I'm subscribing to your blog.....I'll be watching for the Ireland report!
janeAnne,
I am glad you had such an interesting experience on your trip, I am also happy to have you back with us in North Carolina.
Pat~
You can expect more posts on Ireland and impressions for the real estate professional in the near future. I am on the notion of "curb appeal" these days. With a listing where the sellers have devoted much time and effort to creating an inviting first impression, it's on the front burner of my consciousness...So look for a post on green flowers or something like that in the next week...=)
THANKS for subscribing to my BLOG.
Gabe~
Nothing like a vacation to make ya' appreciate Home!
Kathleen~
You mentioned the "historical" aspect of travels. I find this to be fascinating. As real estate professionals who often work with relocating clients, often (I've found) they are intrigued with the history of a place. of course here in the Asheville, NC area, there is much history to share. Going abroad helped me put this in perspective in a new way.
janeAnne: How do you do. I've been watching and appreciating you from a distance, but pop my head in today to say (among a dozen OTHER things) that I love your connection to family, to culture, to history. We, in this country, are so lost in our own disposable culture. Don't get me started here, but when I refer to disposable, I mean just about everything. I'm the daughter of an international air line pilot; grew UP on an airplane, and spent enough time in airports before I was 15 to understand that being North American was a bit of an embarrassment. Too few of us then, and too few of us now, appreciate the depth, sacrifice, quality, and spirit of those who have come before, and those who live elsewhere.
I bow to you, my dear. My DNA speaks with Irish, Scottish, English, and German accents. Of course, I naturally sought a South American husband to properly flavor the soup, so my children are simply confused.
More later, Ms. janeAnne....this has been a pleasure!
Cheers! from DC...
Jaynee
Jaynee~
Ah, yes---the days of yore--it took me back into the history and mornings full of shades of green. And though I love the night and all the constellations--this trek, mostly by day--- showed me, once again, the world as a whole.Guy~
More coming soon! Wait until you see the flower close-ups!