Keith Shirley

It seems like forever since I’ve been diving. I miss the peace and tranquillity but I don’t miss the cold. My brother was nice enough to keep me in mind when he came across a website that provides some nice weather info. I will be able to use it before diving and gardening (with the rain this summer both are merging). The fact that Teagasc has an agricultural research facility in Oak park means I can check the current local weather and get an accurate forecast. The research facility has a new automated weather station in Oak Park since early 2007.

Just click on the pictures below to have a closer look at the stats that are available. I know that Met Eireann has a very good website with lots of info but I found this one easier to use.

[caption id="attachment_128" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Carlow Current Weather"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_129" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Carlow Forecast"][/caption]

I’m making a point of posting them here as, being British websites, they might not appear in Irish Google searches. Being Ireland a forecast is likely to change quickly but the buoy off Kilmore Quay (where the dive boat normally leaves from) should also prove quite useful. I’m unlikely to be doing much diving in Carlow.

My father used to have a garage in Court Place – RF Shirley Ltd – It was where I had my first job and had my first dealings with computers. As a child it seemed like the buildings were ancient and had been there forever. I kept finding things that seemed to be from another life – office machinery that was a complete mystery to me – or my Grandfathers business card where his phone number in Carlow was 42 (or maybe 45). It always humbles me when I think of the lives that have gone before. The garage has now been torn down to make way for an entrance to the new Carlow Arts Centre and I do miss it at times.

A YouTube user called CroppyBoy1798 commented on my Carlow Grafitti video and being a good net citizen – I went to have a look at what he does. I found the following two fantastic videos that give an idea of Carlow Past and Present. I encourage anyone that is familiar with Carlow and Graiguecullen to have a look.

The second one is my favourite and is a little spooky at times. They have inspired me to dig out some old photos when I get a chance. If you like the videos then please open them in Youtube and leave a comment for the author. If he knows people like them he might do some more.

First Video

Second Video

Damien Mulley has started a competition to test peoples Search Engine Optimisation skills (SEO). Unfortunately I won’t have time to dedicate to it but I couldn’t resist adding a quick ad for tests when I was messing around with Google Adwords.

So now you know – If you see ads from me for Geansai Gorm it’s not because I’ve gone into the clothes business or gone mad. I’m also not wasting my own money on this – I’m using a coupon.

Update: As I’m not taking part I’d be glad for anyone to gain a bit of link love. Feel free to add a comment here with links. There is a spam filter in place but I won’t be blocking anything that is reasonable.

Update 1 Dec 2008: I will be publishing a new post later today with some details of how the Geansai Gorm ads actually did. Keep an eye out for it.

Update 1 Dec 2008: 15:12: The Geansai Gorm Analysis is now available.