• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Archives
  • Privacy Policy

Irish American Mom

Celebrating Our Irish Heritage Together

  • Irish Cooking
    • A Taste of Ireland
    • Recipe Index
    • Bread, Muffins, Pancakes And Scones
    • Drinks And Cocktails
    • Favorite American Recipes
    • Irish Appetizers And Party Food
    • Irish Breakfast
    • Irish Cakes, Cookies And Desserts
    • All Recipes
    • Irish Main Dishes
    • Irish Side Dishes
    • Irish Soups And Stews
    • Reader Recipes
    • Irish American Mom’s Pancake Roundup
  • Irish Culture
    • Blessings
    • Irish Books
    • Irish Crafts
    • Irish Expressions
    • Irish Life
    • Irish Movies
    • Irish Music
    • Irish Poetry
    • Irish Superstitions
    • Irish Television
    • The Irish Language or Gaelic
    • Symbols Of Ireland
    • The Irish Psyche
    • The Spud Saga
    • What I Miss About Ireland
    • Wise Old Words
  • Visiting Ireland
    • Ireland – County By County
    • Land and Culture
    • Why Tourists Love Ireland
  • Immigrant Tales
    • Stories of our Ancestors
    • Stories from the Present
    • Genealogy Resources
  • Ramblings
    • My American Journey
    • Why I Love America
    • Blogging
    • Holidays
    • America the Beautiful
  • Giveaways
    • Giveaways
    • Gifts
  • Buying Irish Food
You are here: Home / Ramblings / The Metal Gate – Ireland’s Picture Frame

The Metal Gate – Ireland’s Picture Frame

September 13, 2016 by Irish American Mom 10 Comments

Metal farm gates are found dotted around Ireland’s countryside. Whether separating fields, or protecting the entrance to verdant green pastures these functional entryways are part of my Irish memories.

An old shed on th Mizen Peninsula County Cork Ireland

These gates are so widespread around Ireland I am going to venture so far as to say, I consider them a symbol of Ireland. I know, you probably think I’ve lost my marbles, when I decide to write a blog post all about gates.

A gate by a field in Sligo Ireland

But by the end of today’s ramblings I hope you’ll understand why many of my Irish memories are framed by iron or steel farm gates.

A rusty iron gate

And as you all know, my Irish inspired blog posts are definitely not found anywhere else on the world wide web. Who else, in their right mind, would try to convince you the utilitarian farm gate should be considered a symbol of Ireland?

Except me of course, Irish American Crackpot (that’s the new name for my blog around our house).

Mountain View beyond an iron gate in Ireland

But let’s get back to the gates. Here’s my rational for calling them “Ireland’s Picture Frames.”

When driving in Ireland many of the roads are bordered by dense hedgerows, which unfortunately block the view of the surrounding landscape.  To catch a glimpse of the magnificent Irish scenery drivers must watch carefully for a gap in the tree line and pray the view will open up.

An Irish Farm Gate

Most of these openings occur only where a farm gate has been strategically placed for cattle or tractor entry.

But for those of us, who love to stop our cars to truly appreciate the grandeur of God’s creation, these gate openings are sometimes our only chance to catch a little glimpse of heaven.

Horses by Barley Cove Strand in West Cork Ireland

As you peer through your car window at a spectacular mountain, or a windswept beach, the scene is often framed by a metal gate.

And so I bestow upon these metal gates, the honorary title of ‘Ireland’s picture frames’.

Looking at Knocknarea through a rusty iron gate

I have lovely childhood memories of driving around Ireland with my grandaunt or great aunt as we say in America.

My sisters and cousins would climb in to the back of her mini cooper, all packed in like sardines. I grew up in the 70’s when we all squashed in with little regard for seat belts, booster seats, or modern day safety rules.

Red painted iron gate in Ireland

As we drove around the beautiful Irish countryside, my great aunt would pull over at a farm gate, whenever she thought we should stop to take in the beauty of the world around us.  These childhood memories of Ireland are framed by metal gates.

Rusty Gate in Ireland

Some gates are sturdy and utilitarian. Some are old and rusty but appear to be portals to another world completely.

iron-gates-in-county-wexford-ireland

Image Credit

How about these tall pillars which probably supported a more elaborate gate in days gone by?

a-snowy-field-and-farm-gate-in-county-tipperary-ireland

Image Credit

I love this photo of a snowy field framed by a farm gate in County Tipperary.

 

no-trespassing-sign-on-a-steel-gate-in-county-kerry

Image Credit

And always remember, no matter how alluring the view may be, heed those “No Trespassing” signs.

an-old-wheel-frame-as-an-iron-gate

Image Credit

And how about the focal point of this wonderful gate? My father told me, when he was a young boy in the 1930’s in County Cork, he remembers gates being made out of old wheel rims. Truly ingenious.

I hope you enjoyed this collection of Irish gate photos.  You can’t beat a little bit of nostalgia – even if just talking about gates.  Let us know if your Irish memories are framed by metal gates.

 

Slán agus beannacht,

(Goodbye and blessings)

 

Irish American Mom

Share my recipes and ramblings with the world
  • 6
    Shares

Filed Under: Ramblings, Symbols of Ireland, What I Miss About Ireland Tagged With: An Irish Farm, Beautiful Ireland, Gates, Irish Landscape, Irish Scenery, Memories of Ireland, Photos of Ireland, Symbols of Ireland

Recent Updates from Irish American Mom

  • This Christmas May You Have Walls For The Wind
  • The Light Of The Christmas Star To You
  • May You Be Blessed With The Spirit Of The Season
  • May Peace And Plenty Be The First To Lift The Latch On Your Door
  • The First Christmas Sweater – A Christmas Tale From Ireland

Comments

  1. Cheryl Barker says

    September 15, 2016 at 6:33 pm

    Hey there, Irish American Crackpot! Ha! Leave it to dearly loved family members to come up with nicknames like that for us, huh? I loved your gate post, Mairead. I have some metal farm gates in my memories, too, since both sets of my grandparents farmed. Their farms were here in the U.S., but we did have Irish ancestors 🙂

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      September 17, 2016 at 4:46 pm

      Hi Cheryl – Family and loved ones do have a way of summing things up in a nutshell. Glad to hear you too have some metal farm gate memories.
      Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
      Best wishes,
      Mairéad

      Reply
  2. Alice Morrison says

    September 16, 2016 at 2:12 am

    I loved all your gates, however I think you left one out. The rock gate that can be opened by
    taking down the rocks and built back up again. I tried to paste a photo but it didn’t let me.

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      September 17, 2016 at 4:44 pm

      Hi Alice – What a great suggestion for this post about gates. Thanks for sending me your photo. I’m going to add it here for other readers to enjoy….
      Stone Walls on Inishmore

      I also thought of another idea – a post all about stiles and gateways designed to keep cattle and animals out.
      Thanks for stopping by and checking out my gates.
      All the best,
      Mairéad

      Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    September 27, 2016 at 9:13 am

    Hi Mairead, long time no reply. Nice idea, very creative. Are the first photos yours? I love when you hit the iconic Irish nail on the head.

    Cheers, Oh and by the way daughter Number one is studying this year in Dublin, I’m jealous.

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      September 28, 2016 at 3:55 pm

      Hi Brian – Yes, those top photos are all mine. So glad you liked this little idea about our rustic rural Irish gates. But let’s face it, they’re everywhere around the country.
      I hope your daughter has a wonderful time in Dublin – what a fantastic opportunity to experience Ireland. You have every reason to be jealous, but maybe you’ll get a chance to visit her at least one during the year.
      All the best,
      Mairéad

      Reply
  4. irishnannie says

    September 29, 2016 at 5:27 pm

    haha, Mairead*…you are no crackpot! Loved your pictures and your thoughts about the all prevalent Irish metal gates. I did particularly love the wheel one!
    God bless you!

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      September 30, 2016 at 1:19 pm

      Hi Irishannie – I really liked that wheel one too – it so ingenious.
      Best wishes,
      Mairéad

      Reply
  5. Cathy Tardive says

    August 10, 2018 at 6:09 pm

    I loved this post! It is so true! I remember driving through Ireland trying to anticipate when the gate “window” would appear so I could catch a breathtaking view of the other side! Some roads were just impossible to stop on to take it in, and the driver always missed out. Many times as a passenger I would tell my husband “slow down as much as you can, I want to take a picture!” and I would roll down the window and try to capture the beauty so I could share it with him, and savor it later.

    This was a stroll down memory lane for me! Thank you for your perspective, and for your post!

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      August 11, 2018 at 2:09 am

      Hi Cathy – I’m so glad this post brought back good memories of your trip to Ireland and that you too appreciated my perspective about these metal gates. When driving in Ireland I am always looking for the gap in the hedges to drink in the view.
      Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my ramblings.
      All the best,
      Mairéad

      Reply

Leave a Reply to [email protected] Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search My Site

A Warm Welcome From Irish American Mom

I believe it’s never too late to explore your Irish cultural heritage and celebrate your ancestors’ spiritual legacy. Read More About The Irish American Mom Community

Mom’s Recipes and Ramblings Are Featured On Irish Central

A green background around the letters I and C in the Irish Central Logo

Thanks For Visiting

Advertising
Comment Policy
Disclaimer
Disclosure
Privacy Policy
Contact
FAQ's
Sitemap

 

© Copyright 2011-2019, Irish American Mom.

All Rights Reserved.

Previously Featured On Irish American Mom

Cladagh wedding rings from Ireland

Introducing Claddagh Design – A Modern Twist On Traditional Irish Jewelry

Georgian house in County Sligo

Lissadell House – A Family History

Puffins sitting on the rocks of Skellig Michael

Skellig Michael

Mweeloon Bay in County Galway with the sun setting

Memories Of Irish Sunsets

Blue graphic for triad of Ireland number 204

The Triads Of Ireland

Many Thanks to the Irish Blog Awards – Irish American Mom Won the Silver Award in the 2018 Diaspora Category

Silver glittery b for the silver winner badge in the Blog Awards Ireland 2018

Recent Reader Comments

  • Irish American Mom on Homemade Mincemeat
  • Mariana on Homemade Mincemeat
  • Irish American Mom on May Peace And Plenty Be The First To Lift The Latch On Your Door
  • Kathleen on May Peace And Plenty Be The First To Lift The Latch On Your Door
  • Nuala Kelly on The First Christmas Sweater – A Christmas Tale From Ireland
  • Mary Alice on How To Cook Rutabaga Or Turnip Irish Style
  • Lori Powell on The First Christmas Sweater – A Christmas Tale From Ireland

Copyright © 2019 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This site uses cookies: Find out more.