The word 'Orc' in old Irish means 'little pig' and was perhaps a borrowing for LOTR. It's most associated with place names i.e Orkney Islands: 'island of the pigs'.

Kylemore Abbey in beautiful Connemara, Co Galway. Founded in 1920 by Benedictine nuns who fled Belgium in World War I. #Connemara #Galway

The Gothic Church at Kylemore Abbey, Co Galway. Described as a ‘Cathedral in Miniature’ this elegant building was completed 1885.

'We have in our keeping the hopes of all the children yet unborn, and that those hopes must be safeguarded and shepherded to fulfilment.' - James Connolly

St Canice's Cathedral and Round tower in Kilkenny, Ireland. Built between 1202-1285 on the site of an early Christian monastery.

Tomb of Piers Butler and Margaret Fitzgerald - St Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny. Earl of Ormond & Ossory, died 1539.

St Canice's Cathedral - Also known as ‘Ireland’s finest medieval Cathedral', completed in the 13th century, Co Kilkenny.

The Black Abbey of Kilkenny was founded in 1225 as one of the first houses of the Dominican Order in Ireland. Its name comes from "Black Friars", a reference to the Order who wear a black cloak over a white habit.

Theobald Wolfe Tone the founding father of Irish Republicanism and leader of the 1798 Irish Rebellion was born the 20th of June in 1763. "From my tenderest youth I have considered the union of Ireland with Great-Britain as the scourge of the Irish nation"

The 8th cent. bronze crucifixion plaque from Rinnagan, Co Roscommon is one of the earliest surviving Irish images of the crucifixion.

Good Friday Irish tradition consists of maintaining a period of quiet from noon until church services, devoting our attention to Christ.