The finest lighthouse on the Irish coast, the Fastnet stands proud on an unusually calm fine Summer's evening.
A granite tower constructed of interlocking blocks, it's a virtual monolith which presents itself like the bow of a ship to the incoming Atlantic swells, dissipating their energy before they reach peak force.
So effective is the design and construction that it has survived the worst the Atlantic can throw at it for over a century with nary a scratch. In 1985, it was struck by a 48m rogue wave (the same height as the focal plane of the lantern). This stove in the glass of the lantern room and overturned the vat of mercury on which the lantern turns, but the structure took no other damage.

Skellig Michael (Sceilig Mhichíl) is one of the jewels of Ireland's landscape and heritage. Seen here from a helicopter, the Small Skellig and Lemon Rock are also visible. Puffin Island, Valentia and Portmagee are all visible in the distance.
A double-pyramid of rock soaring up from the surface of the Atlantic, it houses two lighthouses (one decommissioned), a 6th century monastery and a hermitage from the same era.

The Fastnet is certainly Ireland’s finest lighthouse. Difficult to land on, and all but impossible to step from a boat for most of the year, this aerial view shows the typical angry sea that surrounds it.
Cape Clear Island is visible on the horizon, the closest point of land to the rock, often called the ‘Teardrop of Ireland’ as it was the last thing emigrants saw of their home country when sailing to America and Australia.

Inis Meáin (Inishmaan) is the middle of the three Aran Islands which are strung across the mouth of Galway Bay.
This image was made at Poll an tSéideáin (Hole of the Blowing Spray) on the island's west coast. Oileán na Tuí (Straw Island) is visible on the horizon to the left of frame.
Poll an tSéideáin is so named because there is long but shallow cave at sea level that causes the sea to react dramatically in a swell, sending up massive curtains of spray. On this particular evening there was a five meter swell running with a fresh wind, resulting in some truly impressive seas.
The cliffs here are about 30 meters high at this point yet the spray from the incoming waves are easily reaching their tops.

Slea Head is by far the most iconic of Dingle locations. On the very fringes of our island, it's an incredibly rugged and wild place. Even the roads have difficulty here - a section of the nearby Slea Head drive slipped into the sea some years ago. The new section is a little further inland now!
This image was made shortly after sunset on a stormy December day. The clouds, which had been stubbornly persistent on the horizon, cleared for a few seconds to give a glimpse of the glorious colours behind them, before closing again just as quickly.
From left to right, the islands visible are, Inishvickallaun, Inishnabro and the Great Blasket.

Slea Head is by far the most iconic of Dingle locations. On the very fringes of our island, it's an incredibly rugged and wild place. Even the roads have difficulty here - a section of the nearby Slea Head drive slipped into the sea some years ago. The new section is a little further inland now!
This image was made shortly after sunset on a stormy December day. The clouds, which had been stubbornly persistent on the horizon, cleared for a few seconds to give a glimpse of the glorious colours behind them, before closing again just as quickly.
From left to right, the islands visible are, Inishvickallaun, Inishnabro and the Great Blasket.

The Great Blasket Island is the largest island in the Blasket group off the coast of Dingle. Evacuated in the 1950s after the population had dwindled to a level too small to be self-supporting, this image looks back over one of the ruined houses back towards the mainland.
Slea Head is the point on the right, and Sybil Head the point on the left. Beginish island is visible to the left of frame. The Macgillycuddy's Reeks are visible on the extreme right of frame, in the distance.

The view from Geokaun Mountain on Valentia Island is second to none, in my opinion. This image looks out over Valentia Harbour and Doulus Bay, with the lighthouse at Fort Point in the bottom centre of the photograph. A squall is passing over Cahersiveen in the distance as the clouds are tinged pink with the sunrise.

Coumeenole Beach (sometimes also spelled 'Coumeenoole') is one of the most spectacular beaches in Ireland. Scenes from the film Ryan's Daughter were filmed here, and it's a popular spot for surfers.
This image is made looking towards Dunmore Head and the Great Blasket Island as the tide was coming in one stormy morning in late spring.

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.

Made on a late spring evening from Bray Head on Valentia Island. Visible on the horizon are, from left to right: Lemon Rock, the Little Skellig (An Sceilig Bheag) and Skellig Michael (Sceilig Mhicíl). The Skelligs have a long monastic history and are arguably the most spectacular feature of Ireland's landscape.