Kerry

Being mainly famous for its 6th century monastery, the dramatic island of Skellig Michael also boasts two lighthouses built in 1830. This image was made of the lower lighthouse from the road to the upper (which was discontinued and abandoned in 1870).
Made shortly after moonrise, the image shows the light in its new guise. Just a couple of weeks before this image was made, the old fresnel lantern was decommissioned and a modern LED lantern mounted on the balcony. In a large print, this new light can be seen illuminated. It has great advantages in cost of operation, but unfortunately means that the rest of the lighthouse complex is surplus to requirements and will be closed up. The end of an era, but on this trip I was fortunate enough to enjoy the hospitality of the lighthouse for possibly the last time ever.
This is one of my favourite images of recent times. I love the line of the road leading down to the light, and even more the evidence of nature's relentless assault in the cracked and damaged walls, and the overgrown road itself.

The sun rises over the Cromwell Point Lighthouse on Valentia Island.

This view of Skellig from an aircraft overhead reveals the entire island like a map. The eastern side is on the left. The boat landing can be made out as a pale area just above the eastern point, and you can follow the whole path from there to the monastery on the left peak.

An aerial view of the hermitage clinging to the south peak of Skellig Michael.

Lemon Rock is the third island in the trio including its much more famous sisters, the Great and Small Skelligs. The three form a straight line leading into the Atlantic from the Iveragh peninsula.

Standing 20 metres above the water, when viewed close-to it is dramatic. I photographed it at sunrise on a fine spring morning.

The Milky Way rises above the Gap of Dunloe on a fine spring evening.

An Tiaracht, otherwise known as Inishtearaght, or Tearaght Island is the most westerly of the Blasket group in Kerry and that makes it the most westerly point of Ireland and also Europe.
I attempted a visit here in December 2009, but the helicopter couldn't land due to unfavourable winds. On this occasion we were able to land, and the visibility was better, to boot.
This image was made as we were leaving the island and shows the major features very well. Inishtearaght is really two islands connected by a natural arch - the lower peak is 106 meters high and has the lighthouse built on it. The lantern is at about 84 meters above high water. The higher peak is just about 200 meters high and thwarted my attempts to climb it - for more detail see my account on the blog.
This island is an inhospitable place. There was never any permanent habitation there that we know of before the lighthouse was completed in 1870, but I did hear recently that there's some evidence to suggest that the Skellig monks may have attempted to build something here. I have nothing to substantiate this, however - if anyone knows differently please contact me and let me know.
Also visible in this photograph is the inclined railway which was used to haul supplies up from the derrick landing lower on the slope to the lighthouse itself. When the light was made automatic in 1988, the railway was decommissioned, but until that point it was the westernmost railway in Europe.
On the horizon above the island is visible Inis Tuaisceart, the northernmost of the Blasket group. Part of the Great Blasket is visible to the right of frame.

The Skellig monastery shelters beneath the jagged precipice of the North Peak at sunrise.

Inisfallen Island in Lough Leane, one of the Lakes of Killarney, houses an ancient monastic settlement.

The ridge of the north peak sweeps through the frame with the monastery sheltering in its lee at sunrise.

Clogher Strand is one of the more spectacular beaches in Ireland and is renowned for its pounding surf in westerly storms. Inis Tuaisceart (An Fear Marbh) is visible through the channel.

Geokaun Mountain is the highest point on Valentia Island. In this classic 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!

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.

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

Made on a blustery summer's afternoon, this view shows Ross Castle and Island with the town of Killarney in the background.