New arrivals

Yes, it’s that time of year again – lambing time! Spring has sprung, the snowdrops are out and the lambs have started arriving at a steady pace.

Now that it’s finally warming up, we put this batch out to the front garden to graze.

The next picture reminds me of a certain Michael Jackson song….

While skipping and frolicking about is all well and good, some of us just want some “me time”.

We also have some new pets…but that’s for another post!

New Year’s Day Swim at Culdaff Bay

What better way to see in the new year than stripping off and dashing into the freezing cold waters of the Atlantic! A well established tradition, the swim is a popular event which raises money for local charities.

Hundreds of people gathered for the annual event, which kicked off at 2.30pm. I’d estimate there must have been 80-100 brave souls who actually entered the water. Here are some photos of the madness.

Lovely day for a swim


People gathered to watch the event.


Rearing to go…


Must be too cold for this guy…


But at least there’s a hot drink to warm you up!


Dressed for the occasion.

Winter visitors to Inishowen

Inishowen is a very important place for migratory birds to spend the winter. Last week we had the pleasure of seeing the Brent and Barnacle geese who have arrived from Greenland. They seem to enjoy our rich grasslands here in Inishowen.

Brent Geese

Barnacle Geese

Winter sunset at Culdaff

22nd Charles Macklin Autumn School

Last weekend we visited some of the events in this years Charles Macklin Autumn School held in Culdaff. The theme this year was “Celebrating the rich literary landscape of Inishowen and beyond”

The programme consisted of a wonderful mix of music from traditional to classical and for those wishing to learn there were creative writing workshops and medieval craft and combat demonstrations. We were also treated to some poetry readings,”Artikulture” and lunchtime theatre. All in all a very varied and pleasant weekends entertainment. Look it up at www.charlesmacklin.com and perhaps try to visit next year.

A guided walk in the footsteps of Amy Young of Culdaff House

Medieval craft and combat demonstrations on the Village Green

Guest post: The beach is only a stone’s throw away!

We’re always delighted to get photos from people, here’s a guest blog post by Sandra Ondraschek who visited in September.

If you’d like to write a guest blog post, just send it and your photos to treanhouse (at) gmail.com and we’ll post it here.

The beach is only a stones throw away

Contributed by: Sandra Ondraschek

As many Trean House guests will have noticed, Spike is always happy to accompany you on your walk to the beach. You just have to say ‘beach’ and he’s off, setting a pace that few two-legged beings can match. When you catch up, he’ll be waiting at the water’s edge, barking enthusiastically. For those of you who don’t speak Donegal border collie dialect, he’s saying ‘throw a stone!’.

Some people mistake the word stone for stick and wonder why their efforts are ignored. Sticks float, silly! There has to be a splash that he can jump at, bark at and bite into. But be warned! You will tire of this game before Spike does.

And if you’re short of time, the river is also good.