This photograph is the triumph of perseverance and optimism in the face of pessimism and the Irish weather!

The Small Skellig is a dramatic rock thrust out of the Atlantic off the coast of Kerry. The smaller sibling to Skellig Michael, featured in the recent Star Wars movies, it's every bit as dramatic, if not more so. During winter storms, the entire island has been known to be overtopped by huge waves.

I'd long wanted to produce a photograph giving some hint of that drama, and found the opportunity on a late summer's day a few years ago. The only way to get the angle I wanted was from a boat, so I needed a willing skipper to take me out on a suitable day - one where most people would be happy to stay home on dry land!

On this day, the fog was thick along the coast and the waves were high enough to make the trip an unpleasant one. My friend was hesitant to go out - he wanted to save me the charter money as he was certain I wouldn't get anything worthwhile out of it. However, on the satellite imagery for the area I saw there were one or two thinner spots of fog scattered about. If one of those coincided with the Small Skellig, I knew it would look incredible. If it didn't, then the trip would be a wasted one!

So much in photography depends on going out in marginal conditions - you'll either come back with something spectacular or you'll come back empty handed. There's rarely a middle ground on those days.

I convinced him to go out, and for most of the journey you couldn't see more than 30 yards in any direction. However, as we got closer to the Small Skellig, the fog began to thin out, and sure enough it ended up being exactly what I hoped - not so clear that the island was just set against a gray background, but exactly thick enough to show the layers of  rock receding into the distance, and emphasise the drama and ruggedness of this incredible rock.

Capturing the image on a small boat while it was pitching and rolling was difficult - especially as I'm prone to sea sickness (despite spending a lot of time on the water for my coastal work)! It's made all the worse when the camera decides to have a tantrum and refuses to work properly at the critical moment! However, between my friend's expert boat handling and my loud curses at the camera, and suppression of my rebellious stomach while I carefully framed and exposed the image, I was able to achieve my goal and I couldn't be happier with this image.

My own copy hanging on my wall at home brings me a lot of joy and I know yours will too!

The famous Skellig islands, Skellig Michael (on the left) and the Small Skellig are seen on a calm evening near the Vernal Equinox at sunset.

Clogher is the place to be in a westerly storm. It's a fairly narrow bay and the wind and waves coming through it are always amplified. Never more so than on this stormy afternoon in January 2014. The wind was so fierce that it was a challenge to stand, let alone make photographs and the spray was constant.
Inis Tuaisceart, the Sleeping Giant, is visible on the horizon just past the breaking wave.

The monastery on Skellig Michael dates from the 6th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perched on a man-made terrace 600 feet above the Atlantic, it's possibly my favourite place in the world. This photograph was made looking into the rising sun - a rare privilege!

Ireland took a beating in early 2014 with storm after storm crashing into the coast from the Atlantic. This image was made on February 8th at Cromwell Point on Valentia Island. A huge wave threatens to engulf the lighthouse.

Mizen Head is the most south-westerly point on the Irish mainland and the home to a fog station and lighthouse since 1909 and 1959, respectively.
Seen here at sunset on an evening with heavy swell, the location shows its remote and forbidding character.
The lighthouse and fog signal were automated in 1993, and in 1994 the station was opened to the public as a visitor center. Worth a trip if you're in the area!

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.

A stormy afternoon at Slea Head. Just above Coumeenole Beach, the characteristic jagged rocks stand defiant against the wild Atlantic swell.

Storm waves batter the cliffs on the west coast of the middle Aran Island at sunset.

Geokaun Mountain is the highest point on Valentia Island. In this classic panoramic view looking east, Fort Point and the Valentia lighthouse are visible in the bottom right. Beginish Island and Doulus Head also make an appearance.
I was even able to bribe some sheep to wander into the frame at left for the authentic rural Irish experience!

Inis Tuaisceart, or as it's also known, the Sleeping Giant or an Fear Mearbh is blanketed in low cloud as the sun sets behind it, illuminating the sea around it with rich golden light.

Ireland's coast is at its best during stormy weather. Nowhere more so than the tip of the Dingle peninsula.
In this image, the Great Blasket Island is battered by storm force winds and large waves as the sun sinks to the horizon.