Grey Skies and Happy Sighs...

18 July 2026

March 2026, Spring Sunshine and Showers.

Hello my loves, and happy weekend. I hope you're all doing well? I am still hanging in there, thank you again for those of you that have checked up on me, I appreciate you all so much!

Here are some photos and videos from March this year. It was another very wet month, weather wise, but I tried to take advantage of the good weather between the showers and get out on some walks. I had several medical and other appointments to go to, as well as post office runs for my new Vinted obsession, so those were good excuses to get out. I got to see a few friends and catch up with them as well, which is always lovely.

One highlight was discovering Farren's Bar in Carndonagh, a new favourite of mine. It feels like the bar hasn't changed in decades, it really felt like stepping back in time, walking in. They serve food on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays, from 12:00 until about 16:00, and it is ABSOLUTELY worth a visit for lunch if you're in the area. They have no online presence, so I can't share a link with you, but if you're looking for some proper home-cooked food, please check them out. They serve three courses for €17.00, which is an incredible deal, and you're bound to meet some interesting local characters in there.

Other than that, I don't have much to tell you. I was/am still struggling with my mental and physical health, which affects every part of my life. Some days it's all I can do to drag my sorry carcass out of bed and feed myself. And while I love the walks I take, they also take it out of me, and I am aching for days afterwards. This is the price I have to pay. I have to plan my weeks around necessary errands, and see whether I'll have enough energy left over to do anything else. The weather might be beautiful, but I can't force myself to go out every day, because I simply don't have the energy. I do enjoy the views from my windows though, as you know.

I try not to let all of this get me down TOO much, but it is difficult. I can't help but grieve for what these illnesses have taken from me. I used to be extremely fit and active. Now, I don't leave the house for days, and sometimes weeks at a time. All I can say is, I am extremely grateful for the internet, and the fact that I am able to keep in touch with people from long distance, because without that, I would be much more isolated.

Blue skies over the hills, Ardagh Road.

Farren's Bar in Carndonagh.

Rainbow over Pollan Bay.

St. Paddy's Day Selfie.

Blue skies over Pollan Bay.

Cliff walk, Pollan Strand.

Sunset over Binnion.

New hair dye, yay.

Bulaba.

Friendly horse, Clonmany.

Ardagh Road after the rain.

Rain moving over Pollan Bay.

Sunlight over Crockaughrim.

14 July 2026

February 2026, Friends, Food, and Eating My Feelings.

Hello again my loves. I hope you are all well and happy wherever you are in the world?

I wanted to thank all of you who have reached out to check on me lately, it means so much to me. Please know that when I write personal things on here, it's not for sympathy or attention, but because I believe we should be open about mental health concerns. I think it's very important that we break the stigma and conditioning that most of us were likely raised into. Even now, I have people saying things to me like, "What have you got to be depressed about??" Please. It doesn't work like that!!

Yes, I am lucky to live where I do, and to be surrounded by such natural beauty. But you know what? My brain chemistry doesn't give a fuck about that. Years of trauma and abuse rewires your brain, (this is a scientific fact) and no amount of therapy or medication will fix that. So, I struggle, like so many of us do. And, I speak about my struggles openly, because for most of my life, I wasn't able to. I have had people reach out to me, privately, and thank me for this. Because it helps them to know that they are not alone. I have been told by more than one person, that when they face challenges, they ask, "What would Sinéad do?" - which is immensely flattering, but also a little terrifying. I certainly don't feel like I am any kind of a role model, considering the poor choices I've made in my life, haha! But, if my openness about my struggles helps even one person, then I know it's the right thing to do. And anyone that thinks I am "too much" for sharing, can kindly fuck off.

Anyway, these photos are all from February this year. That was another difficult month for me, particularly around Valentine's Day, and the anniversary of my last break up and heartbreak. It was inevitable that painful emotions would be dredged up, and especially difficult when the whole world seems to be celebrating love in all of the over the top, commercially driven ways. (Yes, I am bitter!) I did get out a few days though, I had some meals with friends, and otherwise tried to get out of the house and distract myself from the painful memories, which were causing me to spiral badly. So, I have a few food pics to share with you, because I was absolutely eating my feelings that month. As always, there are some beautiful views of my surroundings as well. Enjoy!

Inquisitive Sheep, Ardagh.

McFeeley's, Clonmany.

Delicious Breakfast at Nancy's Barn.

Delicious Lunch at Nancy's Barn.

Delicious Breakfast at Corner Cafe, Carndonagh.

Delicious Breakfast at the Market House Cafe, Clonmany.

Glashedy and Pollan Bay.

An "I put makeup on" Selfie.

Starry Night.

11 July 2026

January 2026, Happy New Year.

Hello again my lovelies, how has your week been? I am still just about holding things together, and trying to catch up with everything I feel I should be accomplishing. These photos are all from January this year, so now I'm only about six months behind with this Blog, so that's... good? Better? Whatever, enjoy the views, haha.

I can say that I took my Christmas tree and other decorations down on the 6th January, which is the earliest I have EVER done that! I know that for many people it is traditional to take their decorations down by the Epiphany at the latest, but that was never the case in my family. We all hated doing it, and put off that chore for as long as possible. So, while that may seem like a really minor thing, I actually felt quite accomplished! Of course, then it feels like the house looks so bare, and even though the days were getting longer, January is still very dark in this part of the world. So I attempted to counteract that with some fairy lights, and lots of candles.

After procrastinating for a couple of years, I did finally set up a Vinted account that month, to attempt to make a little money, and have a clear out. I wish I'd started years ago, as it is a little bit addictive, haha! Or that might just be me and my ADHD/hyper-focus/obsessive compulsive personality. I think I have mentioned before about my sentimentality, and how I have held onto pretty much everything throughout my life. I simply could not bear the thought of getting rid of things that have always meant so much to me, which has meant that I have kept everything, and moved it all with me over the years. However, knowing that I am able to pass something so cherished onto another good home, where things may be used and loved for many years to come, is a good feeling. And if I am able to make a little money too, even better! So, I have been having a purge of many items, and every time I sell something, I need to get out of the house to go to the Post Office, and the exercise is another bonus.

There really isn't much more to tell you about January this year. My mental and physical health was/is still not good, so I didn't get out as much as I would have liked. I did have some doctor appointments to get to, and those post office errands to run, so I tried to make the most of those days. It was a cold and wet start to the year, and we even saw some snow, which is not common in this area. As you can see, I did get to enjoy some lovely views from my windows too, which I am always so grateful for. I honestly don't know where I would be without those, but I survived another month, and prayed that 2026 would be easier for me.