Clifden's big anniversary celebration begin tomorrow May 25 and there is  a fantastic programme of events on over the next ten days.  Music, arts, geneology, regattas, photo and painting exhibitions, markets, childrens activities, dancing, and major craic are on the programme. See all the details on Clifden2012.org and on Facebook.com/clifden2012. 

Ryanair are taking their website down on Friday night until midnight on Saturday to install new software to make the site run fast.  Airlines all over the world install new software and upgrades all the time without having to go offline. Why do Ryanair have to close down everything?  Customers travelling from 4pm GMT on Friday until Sunday morning will not have access to their bookings and will be unable to print of boarding cards.  I hope Ryanair will give some leeway to those customers who did not get the message and 

I visited the Hill of Tara on Sunday - the first time in many years are was reminded of running about here when we were young.  I was surprised to see a fairy tree festooned with all sorts of bits and scraps ianlcuding babies soothers (did they really want to leave them behind) and a sports medal.  I thought about all the wishes that were hanging on that tree.  Are we still just one step away from our roots? It seems that the fairy tree could be and answer.

On Sunday I was invited to Ballymagarvey Village, near Ashbourne Co Meath to have a look at the fantastic restoration of a Georgian estate.  A labour of love is the only description for the work that Vincent Callan and his team has put into Ballymagarvey.  It is a beautiful wedding venue, and also perfect for small groups and family get togethers.  There is accommodation for about 50 people in the main house and the village houses and apartments. It is on 107 acres of landscaped and tended land with a lake, orchard, gardens and wood.  Have a look at Ballymagarvey.ie.