An Tiaracht, otherwise known as Inishtearaght, or Tearaght Island is the most westerly of the Blasket group in Kerry and that makes it the most westerly point of Ireland and also Europe.
I attempted a visit here in December 2009, but the helicopter couldn't land due to unfavourable winds. On this occasion we were able to land, and the visibility was better, to boot.
This image was made as we were leaving the island and shows the major features very well. Inishtearaght is really two islands connected by a natural arch - the lower peak is 106 meters high and has the lighthouse built on it. The lantern is at about 84 meters above high water. The higher peak is just about 200 meters high and thwarted my attempts to climb it - for more detail see my account on the blog.
This island is an inhospitable place. There was never any permanent habitation there that we know of before the lighthouse was completed in 1870, but I did hear recently that there's some evidence to suggest that the Skellig monks may have attempted to build something here. I have nothing to substantiate this, however - if anyone knows differently please contact me and let me know.
Also visible in this photograph is the inclined railway which was used to haul supplies up from the derrick landing lower on the slope to the lighthouse itself. When the light was made automatic in 1988, the railway was decommissioned, but until that point it was the westernmost railway in Europe.
On the horizon above the island is visible Inis Tuaisceart, the northernmost of the Blasket group. Part of the Great Blasket is visible to the right of frame.

Inisfallen Island in Lough Leane, one of the Lakes of Killarney, houses an ancient monastic settlement.

The wonderful thing about being a landscape photographer is the continual discoveries you make, sometimes in areas where you think you’ve already seen everything.
This little inlet on the north shore of Ballinskelligs Bay is one such discovery. I enjoyed the shape of the small cliffs at the western end, contrasting with the pastoral elds beyond. There’s even a blowhole ringed by a stone wall in one of the elds just behind the cliffs.
The snow-covered peaks of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks can be seen at the top right of the image. It’s rare enough for snow to fall on the coast, but the peaks always have a dusting in the wintertime.

Made on a blustery summer's afternoon, this view shows Ross Castle and Island with the town of Killarney in the background.

The ruins of Ballinskelligs Priory from the air.