graveyards.

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Every summer during our return to Ireland, our extended family always makes it a point to visit our beloved Auntie Kitty, who is peacefully buried in the little town of Cahir, Tipperary. I took loads of photos of this remarkably beautiful place this summer, so I could look back and relive those divine, obligation-free summer days at my leisure.

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Somehow I can’t find the right words to describe what we actually do when we’re visiting Auntie Kitty, because for that one afternoon, the hustle and bustle of life seems to evaporate entirely, leaving us astounded and somewhat dazed at the tranquil environment encapsulating us. We pack a small picnic in Granny’s picnic basket, and we dine amidst the damp grass in the shade of willowy trees. Dappled shadows smother the ground on which we laze, and a clear river trickles down from the mountains beside us.

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I have the fondest memories of this beautiful place; frolicking for endless hours in the adjacent sun-drenched fields (Irish weather seems to cooperate with us when it comes to Auntie Kitty!) and tumbling around atop hay rolls. There’s no better feeling than letting go and being a child again, even just for a day.

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Auntie Kitty couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful resting place next to her brother, and the little tradition of us going to see her once a year is something I hope will never cease. I believe Auntie Kitty is still alive in all of our hearts; busying herself in the kitchen baking her signature delicacies, or perched in an armchair, knitting us our very own winter woollies. Her scone recipes have lived on in all our kitchens, and her legacy of faith and indescribable zest for life is well ingrained in all of us. As Dad says, "the cold weather was what kept Auntie Kitty alive for so long.”
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a floral escape.

During my last few days in Ireland, I made a request to revisit the breathtaking garden of Maureen Ahern in Cahir, co. Tipperary. Maureen's garden is certainly unique; she's tended to her garden for years and in turn has crafted two sprawling acres of lush foliage and unmistakable beauty. We took a leisurely stroll through the manicured bushes and breathed in the luxurious countryside air mixed with the stunning aromas of the flowers encapsulating us. It was such a treat for me to see the place again, but for Maureen it must be daily routine to escape all worries and burdens by taking a short walk and allowing her mind to be captivated by such simplistic beauty. The quirky interiors of her adorably disheveled house brought a smile to my face too; from the ornate lamps and tapestries that smothered the walls to the many religious statues that dotted every room in the house (much like Tavi Gevinson's crucifix-covered crib). I had the most amazing afternoon away from all the distractions of modern life, and that certainly made for the perfect ending to my summer vacation in Ireland.

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