Photographs from "The Irish Light"

An Searrach (the foal) is a prominent sea stack on the Dingle coastline near Lispole. This image was made in the late afternoon on a fine summer's day. A long exposure was used to blur the movement of waves and clouds.

Made on my second visit to the north Antrim coast in 2009, this view of Fair Head from Colliery Bay is my favourite of that trip.
The weather was threatening in the pre-dawn hours, but there was a band of clear sky right where the sun was due to rise. The low clouds are lit from beneath as it rises over the Scottish Hebrides, but all too soon the show was over and it vanished behind the advancing cloud cover.
Being in the right place at the right time is crucial for successful landscape photography. On this morning I realized the shot I had planned, which relied upon golden sunlight on the scene, was not going to happen - so I shifted gears and went to a location where I'd be able to shoot directly at the Sun as it rose.
The tactic paid off in this case, and this image - made at the peak of the light show - shows that the red light wasn't quite strong enough to fully light the underside of the clouds nor to illuminate the rocks. The result is a contrast of warm and cool colours which I feel work very well.

A favourite image of mine, this heron was fishing for his breakfast as I was just finishing up a dawn shoot. As I returned to my car, I noticed him, but had already put all my equipment away. I debated whether to haul it all out again, as Murphy's Law would indicate that he would fly away as soon as I had everything ready.
Thankfully, I ignored my misgivings and made the effort. He was most co-operative, hanging around for a few minutes so I could pick my moment precisely!

Made during my trip to visit the Bull Rock Lighthouse in early Summer, 2010. This image was made on the way down from the old fog signal station and shows the illuminated lighthouse against the empty sea beyond.
As this is a night image, the exposure was long and thus the waves and clouds are completely smoothed out, creating a timeless look.

This photograph was made in the evening after the lantern had come on in the lighthouse. The open door is very inviting - lighthouses were always very hospitable places. Unfortunately, since automation more often than not the doors are barred as there's no one present. When work is ongoing, for a brief time some of that old hospitality comes back to life.

Mizen Head is Ireland's most southwesterly point. A fog signal was established here in 1909, and a light in 1959. In 1993, when the station was made automatic, a local cooperative in cooperation with the Commissioners of Irish Lights opened the station up to tourists.
The original bridge giving access to the station had suffered badly from over a century of exposure to the severe weather in this area, and work on its replacement commenced in 2009. On March 17, 2011 the new bridge will re-open, allowing visitors access to the lighthouse once more.
This photograph was made on an early Spring evening. Looking over the rocks above the station (which is situated on Cloghan Island), all lines lead up to the setting sun.

Dún Briste (Broken Fort) is an impressive sea stack at Downpatrick Head on the North Mayo coast. Standing 50 meters (164 feet) high, it was once part of the mainland, connected by a sea arch. It's not known for sure when the arch collapsed, but it seems likely to have been sometime in the 14th century.
Normally viewed from the adjacent cliffs, the most impressive views of the stack are from sea level. This image was made from the base of the cliffs near the entrance to one of the caves that undercut the headland. It should be noted that this an extremely dangerous spot to get to and should only be attempted while in the company of someone who has been there before, and with good knowledge of the local tides and sea conditions. It is possible to become trapped by the incoming tide and a rogue wave could easily sweep you out to sea.
This swirl in the foreground is a result of the long exposure revealing the flow pattern as the waves ebb off the platform. The pool here is about 8 feet deep, and has been carved out of the flat rock platform by countless years of such action. If it wasn't for the danger of being swept away, it would make an excellent jacuzzi!

The steps leading down to the old landing at Dunlough Bay on the Mizen peninsula