Flower fairies: Foxglove and fuschia feature prominently in folklore

The warn sunny conditions of late have created the ideal climate for our wild plants, such as foxglove and fuchsia, which are growing in glorious profusion across the country

The National Folklore Commission recorded foxglove’s close associations with fairy lore and, therefore, people once believed it was unlucky to bring the plant into their houses. Picture: Brian Lawless

A mixture of heat and rain has created ideal conditions for our wild plants which are growing in glorious profusion across the country this summer. Foxglove and fuchsia, for instance, are blooming in the Beara and Dingle peninsulas.

One of those warm, sunny days, of late, was just ideal for doing a loop of the Beara Peninsula, beginning and ending in Kenmare. Winding roads on the northern, or Kerry side, may slow you down, but that only allows more time to admire the tree-clad hills, verdure and seascape.