Nano Nagle

A most enjoyable and relaxed book club and opinions were much divided over audiobooks but I think it will be physical books from now on. We all enjoyed the book though - The Living Mountain - and discussed our special places. Mine would be here, (the Sheep;s Head) the Essex marshes and Glastonbury Tor.

A big day as we headed off for Cork city, stopping enroute for a coffee in Clonakilty with Robert and Finola who were also going in the same direction but for different reasons. I was plying my wares! I visited Waterstones and Vibes and Scribes and the Nano Nagle centre leaving copies of the book for various retail managers to inspect it and hopefully get back. All noises sounded positive. Whist at the Nano Nagle centre I had a wander around -  more about it here if you're interested. A remarkable story about a well off  and educated young woman who devoted her life, at first secretly, to looking after and educating the poor - especially girls. She eventually set up her own religious foundation which is still going today. The grounds are lovely and there's a good book shop and cafe. My main is the sculpture commemorating her - vivid blue and green glass with waterfalls. Her coffin tomb lies in front - it has a memorial slab on the top but the sides are clear and a small window has been cut out of the glass  so pilgrims can insert their hand and touch the coffin within. The other sisters are buried nearby, their tombstones higgeldy piggledy and jostling each other affectionately.  Inside the convent, I was interested to see some of the painted ceiling was being painstakingly restored- by hand and scaffold, much the same as Michelangelo must have done!
Himself told me it was National Coming Out Day and there's an extra to commemorate that - actually it was yesterday but who's counting. Cork city is never dull.