Peaceful

Skellig Michael is one of my favourite locations anywhere in the world. It has long been my desire to photograph the 6th century monastery here in good light, and in mid-2012 I was given the opportunity to do just that. Access to the island is restricted with tourists only permitted between the hours of 10am and 4pm - which is unfortunately when the light is at its worst during the summer months.
On this occasion I was able to overnight on the island and was granted a spectacular sunrise, which you see here.
The 'beehive' huts here are drystone construction and have stood in more or less this condition since the monastery was abandoned in the 13th century. Even the ground on which they are built is remarkable, as it's a man-made terrace produced by building up hundreds of tons of rock held in by a series of retaining walls. The monks had no choice in this, as there is virtually no naturally occurring flat space on the island.

The pre-dawn light illuminates the lower monk's garden on Skellig Michael. The Small Skellig and the mountains of Kerry lie in the background.

Rossbeigh Beach on a fine spring day

Inis Tuaisceart (Inishtooskert in English) is the northernmost of the Blasket Islands off the tip of the Dingle peninsula. In fact, the name means 'Northern Island', perhaps a little unimaginatively.
The official name may be somewhat lacking, but it's known colloquially in Irish as 'an Fear Marbh', or the Dead Man. It does look uncannily like a man lying on his back. Also known in English as 'the Sleeping Giant' or 'the Sleeping Monk'.
Photographed here at sunset on a fine summer's evening, it's hard to imagine a more beautiful location.

The Conor Pass is the highest mountain pass in Ireland and offers the most dramatic way to enter the western part of the Dingle peninsula.
On the eastern side, an incredible narrow and winding road clings to the cliff face making it interesting for the unwary when meeting traffic coming the other way!
Once at the top of the pass, the views are quite literally breathtaking. This image was made as the sun was rising on a Summer's morning. Brandon Mountain (Cnoc Bréanainn) shows off its rugged eastern face across the Owenmore (An Abha Mhór) valley. The lakes visible are, from left to right, An Loch Geal, Loch Uí Fiannachta and Loch Neil Phádraig. Loch Cruite is just visible nestling at the base of the mountain. Brandon Bay can be seen in the right of frame in the distance.
It's from Brandon Creek on the western side of the mountain that St. Brendan is said to have begun his legendary voyage to America around the year 512 AD.

The Small Oratory on Skellig emits a welcoming glow under the stars with the Kerry coast and Small Skellig in the background.

Ross Castle is one of Killarney's most popular tourist attractions. Probably built around the 15th century, it was restored in 1979 and is open to the public.
Seen here from Rien Pier by the Workmen's Rowing Club boathouse on a fine summer's morning, it's easy to see why it's such a popular place to visit.

Ross Castle is one of Killarney's most popular tourist attractions. Probably built around the 15th century, it was restored in 1979 and is open to the public.
Seen here from Rien Pier by the Workmen's Rowing Club boathouse on a fine summer's morning, it's easy to see why it's such a popular place to visit.

Donkeys are the only full-time residents of the Great Blasket Island now. This pair formed the welcoming committee on a particularly fine summer's day. One of the island's ruined cottages forms the background.

The Gap of Dunloe is perhaps the most iconic of the landscapes around Killarney. A dramatic, steep-sided valley with a narrow road winding torturously through it, it's endlessly scenic.
This photograph was made at sunset on a particularly beautiful November evening.

The first rays of sunlight glance the top of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks with Lough Leane in the foreground. Inishfallen island with its monastery is the the left of the frame.

Inis Tuaisceart (Inishtooskert in English) is the northernmost of the Blasket Islands off the tip of the Dingle peninsula. In fact, the name means 'Northern Island', perhaps a little unimaginatively.
The official name may be somewhat lacking, but it's known colloquially in Irish as 'an Fear Marbh', or the Dead Man. It does look uncannily like a man lying on his back. Also known in English as 'the Sleeping Giant' or 'the Sleeping Monk'.
Photographed here at sunset on a fine summer's evening, it's hard to imagine a more beautiful location.

Derrynane Bay, near Waterville on the south-western tip of the Iveragh peninsula is one of Kerry's most dramatic coastal views. The islands in the image are Scarriff and Deenish Islands, and Dursey Island at the tip of the Beara peninsula is visible on the horizon at the left of frame.
Seen here on a beautiful Autumn day. It was a very beautiful dawn - well worth getting up early for!

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.