It has been a late night here at Panoramic Ireland HQ (a field on the edge of Ireland) as the full moon, supermoon, harvest moon combo was partially eclipsed by Earth's shadow at 03:44 this morning.
Still processing images in the quiet of the cold night but here is the first from this fine celestial event, that saw clear skies across much of Ireland.
A small portion of the top of the Moon was cast into shadow as it moved partly into Earth's shadow.
There will be a total lunar eclipse visible from Ireland in March 2025.
Why not join me then, or between now and then for some astrophotography adventures in Ireland.
Red Sails in the Sunset, the famous song penned by Irishman Jimmy Kennedy in 1935 has been recorded by dozens of artists in its 89-year history including Bing Crosby, Vera Lynn, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington, Earl Grant, Fats Domino, Connie Francis, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Frank Patterson, Engelbert Humperdinck and most recently by Van Morrison.
That's an impressive list of musicians, and to top it off even The Beatles covered Red Sails in the Sunset.
Kennedy came from County Tyrone but lived for some time in Portstewart, County Derry and there he is said to have watched a ship with red sails called Kitty of Coleraine, itself named after an old song by Edward Lysaght, composed in the 18th century. There was also a steamship with the same name that made journeys from Coleraine upstream on the River Bann to Toome on the edge of Lough Neagh but this was not a vessel with sails. Interestingly, Bing Crosby also performed Kitty of Coleraine on film in 1949's Top O' the Morning.
The lyrics go:
Red sails in the sunset way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me
He sailed at the dawning, all day I've been blue
Red sails in the sunset, I'm trusting in you
Swift wings you must borrow, make straight for the shore
We marry tomorrow and he goes sailing no more
Red sails in the sunset way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me
Swift wings you must borrow, make straight for the shore
We marry tomorrow and he goes sailing no more
Red sails in the sunset way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me
Red Sails, Isle of Mull, Scotland
But Kennedy didn't just write this one well-known song, he also penned The Isle of Capri covered by Gracie Fields, Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Fats Domino and Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney; South of the Border first recorded by Gene Autry and later covered by Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Patsy Cline, Mel Tormé, The Shadows, Dean Martin, Fats Domino, Herb Alpert, Bing Crosby (lol), Chuck Berry, Willie Nelson and Chris Isaak; Istanbul (Not Constantinople) covered by Frankie Vaughan, Bing Crosby (as if you had to ask), Bette Midler and perhaps most famously by They Might Be Giants; Teddy Bears' Picnic covered by, you guessed it, Bing Crosby again and so many others; and that Hokey Cokey (widely disputed), please don't!
Isle of CapriVia Krupp, Isle of Capri, Italy
Of course there are many that I haven't mentioned, including Harbour Lights, first recorded by Frances Langford and later covered by Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Engelbert Humperdinck, Willie Nelson and Vera Lynn. What, no Bing Crosby for this one? Of course, Bing Crosby recorded Harbour Lights in 1950 reaching #10 on Billboard.
Jimmy Kennedy certainly has an impressive catalogue. Here, in this post are some images inspired by his songs.
There are some red sails from Ireland and Scotland, the Isle of Capri and lovely Harbour Lights from County Down.
Red Sails, Staffa, Scotland - Red sails in the sunset way out on the seaGalway, Red Sails in the Sunset, IrelandHarbour Lights, County Down
Electric Picnic moved to a mid-August slot in 2024, away from it's usual early September placement. Friday saw American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan take to the Main Stage to headline the opening night.
The Grammy-nominated artist performed to a rapturous crowd in Ireland's County Laois, so much so that he took a pit walk at the start of his set.
A set that included Dial Drunk, New Perspective, Northern Attitude and finishing with Stick Season.
Kahanis continuing to tour with upcoming concerts in Berlin on August 27th before heading back to the USA and Canada.
Wexford has just had the Fleadh but the Irish town is not finished with summer as another fine outdoor event, Wexford Walled Town Day, is taking place this weekend at Westgate Park, Abbey Street in Wexford Town.
Wexford Walled Town Day is part of Heritage Week and the medieval walled town will be filled with history walks and talks from Wex Walks, traditional music by Craobh Loch Garman Comhaltas, face painting, falconry and owls display from the Irish National Heritage Park, and jewellery making using traditional, medieval techniques by Irish goldsmith Christina Keogh, pictured above.
Come along and discover what medieval life was like in Ireland hundreds of years ago with interactive fun for all ages on Saturday 17th of August from 12:00 to 17:00. You might spot medieval drummers walking around Wexford too.
