Dramatic

The Fastnet is the southernmost point of Ireland, and known as "Ireland's Teardrop" as it was often the last sight of home for emigrants heading to the New World.

Seen here in the aftermath of a storm, the trough of a swell passes by the rock, revealing details not normally seen.

Dramatic fingers of rock reach out from Galley Head at sunrise.

The rising sun paints Mount Errigal in tones of pink and purple over the lake.

A fiery sunrise over Loop Head in Clare. This point is the culmination of the line of cliffs along the clare coast that start with the Cliffs of Moher further north. The Shannon Estuary lies to the right of the frame, and the Atlantic Ocean to the left. The "Eire" sign near the tip of the peninsula was placed there during WWII to assist US pilots ferrying aircraft across the Atlantic with their navigation.

The lantern of the Fastnet lighthouse glows as the first rays of sun strike it on a beautiful spring morning.

Valentia is a large island just off the north coast of the Iveragh peninsula. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, it's a lovely place to visit and has some stunning scenery. This image was made while returning from the abortive attempt to land on Inishteareaght and shows the north coast of the island being battered by a storm.
It's a rare privilege to see this kind of weather in action from the air, so I'm pleased to be able to share it with you.

Aranmore lighthouse perches precariously above the shattered rocks of its headland.

Mizen Head at sunrise, from the air.

The westernmost point of Ireland on a blustery January day.

Valentia Island seen at sunrise with Bray Head in the foreground.

An Tiaracht is an island of many names. Also known as Inishtearaght, The Tearaght and Tearaght Island, all these names mean the same thing - 'The Westerly', or 'Westerly Island'. This is a pretty good description, as not only is it the westernmost of the Blasket Islands, it's also pretty much the westernmost point of Europe, with the exception of the nearby Foze Rocks.
In my opinion, the lighthouse on the island, which was constructed in 1870 and made automatic in 1988, is the most dramatic of any of the lighthouses around the coast. It's also one of the least well known as it's invisible from the mainland - sitting as it does on the western end of the rock.
The island is a pair of jagged, steep-sided pyramids reaching a maximum height of 656 feet above the sea. Joining them is a saddle pierced by a natural tunnel. The light itself is at a height of 275 feet on top of a 55 foot tower.
This image was made during a maintenance flight out to the lighthouse, but due to the stormy conditions we were unable to land. However, it did provide me an opportunity to photograph the island as it was pounded by an angry sea.

The dramatic eastern end of Tory Island.

An aerial view of the Owenroe River flowing towards the Macgillycuddy's Reeks and the Bridia Valley.

Eagle Island, with the Stags visible in the distance. A rain squall and rainbow are visible on the horizon also.

Puffin Island is one of the more beautiful islands on Kerry's coastline. The nearby Skelligs play host to the setting sun.