Monday last started with the trade mark heavy rain of 2012 in Dromcollogher. Travelling east through Limerick city it lightened and by eleven o’clock it had totally cleared in Newport and at Clare Glens.
The river Clare brown and foaming from the night’s rain roared and quietened as we entered the Glens at the bridge and made our way to the first opening of the gorge. Here the river was deeper even than the brave wellies of the advance party, so the word came take a detour by the higher way.
Passing under tall Spruces and dribbling Ivy arches, we eventually made it into the first cutting of the valley, with cliffs ten times our height, reminding us of an ice age some ten thousand years ago.
The waterfall was spectacular as always, but on Monday had an extra misty cloud which rose up, making the yellow Ash the ghostly Star of the Glen.
A few moments reflection on the top bridge set the mood for listening to the veins and arteries of the earth and the capacity of humans learn from, enjoy, repair or further destroy it.
Here the seanfochail in Irish seemed made for the place.
“Éist le gleór na habhainn is geobhar breac.”
Listen to the sound of the river and you will get the trout!
Glenstal Monastery and Arboreteum is always an oasis.
Br. Anthony was in full form as he blended the history of the place with events in Europe and in Ireland right up to our current economic crisis.
Affirming the need for committed organic graduates, he told how individual trees had evolved, from the Monkey puzzle of South America to our Native Scotts Pine.
Walking under these giant “Cathedrals of Nature”, Redwoods that withstand the worst forest’s fires and native sturdy Sessile Oaks, was both energising and humbling.
The care and management of these in a sustainable way was regarded as a duty of every mature nation, organic horticulture students were the front line of defence of our Natural Heritage.
Looking at plants from invasive Japanese knotweed, to the towering 150 year old Sitka Spruce, Douglas Fir and the Cedars of the Middle East, we were also reminded too of devastating diseases of Elm, Ash and Horse Chestnut and of how we need to care for the natural diversity we already have.
The afternoon concluded with trademark hospitality of unique home made jam and scones from Br. Patrick,followed by the centuries seasoned Gregorian Chant completing the abiding, multisensory experience which is Glenstal and Clare Glens.
All photos were supplied by Caoimhin Brosnan one of our diploma students.