Can a Sycamore tree live 450 years ?

I ask this question, not that I'm interested if a sycamore can or not live 450 yrs. I am interested, just not right now. What I am interested in is the man who told of this particular tree, and how we started talking.
Meet Johnny, an old soldier. In the UN memorial park at the rear of Arbour hill cemetary, Johnny was minding his own buisness this Sunday morning last. I happened into the park as a curios photographer does, always looking about, seeing what captures the eye or imagination, and Yes - I did have the camera.
Johnnys attire was not the best presented, shoes were ragged and open, wearing raintrousers and an old coat. He is probably in his 70's but his eyes don't show that - they still sparkle. He was freshly shaven - not sure if that meant anything, sure it did - why else would such detail be out of step with his clothes ??

"That Gun is 1935" he called. I had noticed him sitting in the corner amongst the leaves, playing with a stray dog. First impressions were typical, down+out, drunk, homeless. That wouldn't bother me, live and let live.
But Johnny was above that. He had interest and knowledge in the area and was willing to pass it on if anyone was interested in listening. I had time,  I listened.  

When Time came to part, Johnny had grown on me. I have a spate of knowledge on Irish history and military. Not extensive by any means I might add. But Johhny - he was living military history. Probably only a private, I don't know. But he spent his life in uniform. A marksman he says - could hit a fly at a hundred yards. Couldn't go to the Congo because of it. He loves Ireland. His talking of the graveyard - "see those trees, there's 19 of them there, and look - there's 16 of them there. 19+16 ...1916 - there should also be symbols like that, makes you look, makes you think"

The graveyard - Arbour hill is the resting place of the leaders from the 1916 uprising.

And the sycamore tree - it stands tall and wide looking over the graves. Its roots stretching wide, and it's where Johnny hangs out.

Blue Sky Blue

Summers over, Autumn is upon us and after 16years of waiting, Dublin win the All Ireland Senior football championship. And against Kerry, sublime champions of last year and many others.
This is Gaelic football. Along with its sister code of Hurling - they form the heart and soul of the Irish psyche.
To understand us as a nation, just look into the games we play. The passion, the determination and physicality. Frienships forged in contest, loyalty to the club which is invariably where you live or were born... And this not forgetting to mention the Irish rugby team the day before ...but I digress.

The game over, I'm driving home. Totally euphoric, but having to remain calm due to the fact I'm driving. I do what I do. I stop to take photographs.
After the images are taken, I'm back in the car and on the radio is an interview with a former member of the band 'Hothouse Flowers'.
Eventually the song 'I can see clearly now' comes on. (Full lyrics at end of Blog.)
Sometimes things just match, 16 years waiting. The song starts off, piano giving a slow almost meloncholic air. Then the lyrics - I can see clearly now the clouds have gone.... I'm taking pictures of the landscape with blue sky starting to break through.  Look all around, there’s nothin? but blue skies.
The tempo in the song builds and Liam O'Maonlai gives it his all.
Ireland gave it all on Saturday
Dublin gave it their all  on Sunday
Dublin: All Ireland champions 2011 !

The picture by the way - is from Skerries Co Dublin. Home of Bryan Cullen, Captain of the All Ireland champions 2011 !


Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

 
 
Full lyrics.;
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,

I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.


I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin?for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.


Look all around, there’s nothin?but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin?but blue skies


I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.