A new Irish country tradition that I love

is having fresh holly

strewn about the house for the holidays.

This year, Grandad ventured down to the wood

with his determined lil’ helper in tow

And as they were foraging for holly,

they stumbled upon

a faerie ring of magical mushrooms…

And a glistening green pine

covered in ice drops…

Then, down by the shore

they discovered one berry-less tree

that some hungry little birds had feasted upon

But just beyond

the babbling brook…

hung the most beautiful holly branches

covered with pointy + deep green leaves

and bright crimson berries

And those were the ones

that the foragers brought home

and placed on the mantelpiece.

Happy Holidays

Slan Abhaile,

Imen

photos by Imen McDonnell

Tags: farmer, food, foodie, foraging, holidays, Holly, ireland, Irish, tradition