The Giant’s Causway

When I first visited the Giant’s Causeway many years ago, the thing that struck me was how small and unremarkable it looked like from a distance. But as one drew nearer along the narrow winding pedestrian road leading to the site, the unique drama of the thousands of basalt rock columns became apparent. Experts say there are as many as …

Toormore Dolmen #2

Quite a different image of the altar wedge tomb overlooking Toormore Bay in West Cork which is said to date from the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age – making it around 4,500 years old. As the name indicates, it was originally a pre-historic burial site. But during the period of the Penal Laws in the 16th and 17th centuries …

Red Cottage, Beara Peninsula

Vibrantly painted houses are a common feature adding an extra dash of colour to the already dramatic Irish landscape. This is most often seen in the south west of the country where nature is built on a grand scale. This image comes from the Beara Peninsula where the counties of Cork and Kerry meet in a truly glorious combination of …

Liquid Sunshine

Liquid sunshine is a common weather phenomenon in Ireland. And this image from the Beara Peninsula in West Cork is a classic example. The rapidly changing conditions can make for dramatic colours and contrasts. Like this glorious vivid patch of light through a gap in the clouds as the summer rain shower retreats across the sea and mountains. The little …

Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park, just 15 kilometres from Letterkenny, has it all. Rugged mountain views, fabulous walking trails, shimmering lakes, walled flower gardens, and a restored 19th century stone castle. Rich in native wildlife, Glenveagh is designated a Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection.

Bettystown Beach, Summer 2020

The coastline of County Meath is just seven miles long – but it is unique in being almost entirely beach. People in the adjoining villages of Laytown, Bettystown and Mornington share this wonderful shoreline with many thousands of visitors throughout the year. But 2020 has been different – and not just because of Covid19. This year, following much local debate, …