Traditional music at the castle the other night. Mary called when I was working in the studio - so over I went, climbing the stairs to the top. There was a roaring fire and everything was decorated with flowers - earlier in the day there had been a wedding. An Irish woman and a Japanese man - in full Samuri regalia (him). Long trails of ivy hung from the balcony - red and white roses glowing in the light of the candles. The wedding had a visit from the strawboys - a west coast tradition - dressing up in straw disguises and crashing the party to play tricks.

But tonight - some of the best musicians around - traditional Irish harp, concertina, pipes and fiddle. Background and stories for every song they played...and I am reminded again and again how rich in tradition and history this country is - how proudly it is kept alive.

The lights of Galway flickered across the bay (is it a bay?) as the outside light faded and the fire and the candles flickered. We were a small but passionate group - of mostly locals.

Jim (an uncle of Micheal Green - founder of the college) tells me a wonderful story about celebrating the millenium at the castle. A party was held on that new year's eve....the lower floor reserved for the young people...the middle floor for refreshments - and on the upper floor people were asked to come as someone they had most admired in the past 100 years and present a talent of some kind. By the time they all finished performing for one another...they were well into the new year...the new millenium.

Wonderful images to have....even second hand.