Photographs from "The Irish Light"

The Long Range can be described as either a wide river or a skinny lake, and it connects Muckross Lake and Lough Leane with the Upper Lake in Killarney. Flowing between the Eagle's Nest mountain and the Ring of Kerry road, it's a fine sight at any time.
This image, made from a helicopter on a fine summer's day, shows its meandering course westwards to the Upper Lake, nestled among the mountains.

A night view of the Gap of Dunloe, illuminated by moonlight. Snow sits on the mountains as the winter weather of 2010 retreats at last

The Partry Mountains are a range of hills in Joyce Country, Co. Mayo. While wandering in a nearby oak forest, I spotted this tree as an outlier in the bog with nothing behind it but the hills themselves.
A little scouting led me to this composition, and later to a wellington boot filled with bog when I went up to my hip in a hole. It was worth it though!

Since my first visit to Cork as a photographer some years ago, I've had it in mind to photograph Toe Head, an imposing headland to the west of Galley Head on the south coast of Cork.
I hadn't found a vantage point I was happy with on the few occasions I'd been around when good light was threatening. However, serendipity paid a visit when I was out with Roger Overall, a commercial photographer and friend of mine.
We met up, I stabbed my finger at a spot on the OS map that looked promising and we arrived at the location in this photograph.
Made looking to the west as the sun was getting low in the sky, it shows the headland's most imposing aspect with the rocks in the foreground leading the viewer up to it.
Made using a filter which forces a long exposure, the water and waves take on a misty character which adds to the character of the scene.

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.

Dunluce Castle is one of Ireland's most picturesque. Photographed here from the boulder beach just to the east, it forms an imposing sight.

An Searrach (The Foal) is a sea stack just outside Dingle Harbour. Visible from the Conor Pass, I'd been meaning to find a good vantage point for it since I first saw it some years ago. Just recently while returning from business in Dingle town shortly after sunset, and in miserable weather I found this spot. Made with a long lens over 30 seconds, I believe it captures the mood of the scene very well.

It's true that bad weather often makes for the best photographs. On this cold and blustery day a warm fire and a good book would seem preferable to being out, braving the elements with camera in hand.
However, it was most certainly worth it. These dramatic clouds appearing over Cnoc an Tarbh, Cnoc an Bhráca, Cruach Mhór and the Big Gun dwarf these lofty peaks. The western Reeks are engulfed completely, and Cruach Mhór only appeared sporadically.
Lough Leane is in the foreground.