Fields Around Knocklayde

Knocklayde, a massive heather covered mountain (1695 ft) crowned by Carn na Truagh (the cairn of sorrow), which gives extensive views over... more

by Paul Morgan

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Price

Not Specified

Dimensions

22.000 x 18.000 x 0.200 inches

Title

Fields Around Knocklayde

Artist

Paul Morgan

Medium

Painting - Oil On Canvas

Description

Knocklayde, a massive heather covered mountain (1695 ft) crowned by Carn na Truagh (the cairn of sorrow), which gives extensive views over Ballycastle, Rathlin Island, Fair Head and Scotland. It is surrounded by mixed rural farmland which is used extensively for grazing and arable crops. The remnants of an old quarry opens up like a giant mouth and can be seen on the side of the mountain from the Glentaisie side of the mountain. This quarry is no longer in operation. I have climbed this mountain many times as a small boy and the views from the top never cease to amaze and inspire me. As such I felt the need to record the beauty of the mountain in all its purple heather glory, and that of the surrounding farmland. The mountain is viewed from the Glentaisie side (one of the nine glens of Antrim) and the glen itself is located just over the brow of the near distant fields running up the hill. The picturesque seaside town of Ballycastle lies at the foot Knocklayde on the North Antrim Coast.

I have added a little additional information below about Glentaisie and the surrounding area courtesy of Wikipedia.
Glentaisie (Irish: Taoibhgeal, English: of the bright cheeks) is one of the nine Glens of Antrim in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It was shaped during the Ice Age by glaciers. The glen is most northerly of the nine glens and lies at the foot of Knocklayde mountain. The town of Ballycastle lies on the coast at the foot of the glen
According to the traditional shanachies, Glentaisie was named after Princess Taisie, the daughter of King Dorm of Rathlin Island. Renowned for her beauty, she was bethrothed to Congal, heir to the Kingdom of Ireland, however the King of Norway also sought her hand in marriage, and he arrived to claim his bride, as wedding celebrations to Congal were underway. The King of Norway and his army tried to capture Taisie but in the subsequent battle he was killed and his army fled leaderless and empty handed.

I hope you enjoy reading about this wonderful mountain as much as I have enjoyed climbing it and painting it.

Uploaded

April 10th, 2013