09/11/2024

Our ramble this evening is down towards Nanbrackalan lake, along the Donegal/ Fermanagh border. I don’t know the exact meaning of the lake’s strange name, but ‘breac’ is the Irish word for trout, so maybe ‘Lough na breac álainn’ - lake of the lovely trout? The usual gamut of autumn colour was on display, punctuated here and there with clusters of sulpher tuft fungi & the ubiquitous mini-geranium, herb robert, prettying up the deadwood and the scutch grasses. Herb Robert - Ruithéal rí is its Irish name - has associations with the cure of bleeding and blood disorders, in people and cattle. Its red stems and bright pink colour are a jolly sprinkle of disco to the muted November palate. Further joy was sparked by watching two happy doggies take a quick bath!
#donegal #rambles #wildflowers #folklore #studyabroadireland