Joy in the Mournes

The Mourne Mountains are one of the island of Ireland's crown jewels. Consisting of a range of ninety-three (!) mountains, they are linked not only by close physical proximity, but also a man-made series of walls utterly unlike anything else in Ireland. They provide spectacular views across Ireland, the Irish sea, and occasionally across into Scotland, if the weather permits. Here, the haze was just a little too strong to see all the way across, but the sweep down across forests, farmland, and down to the bay is enough for me. This view is from Sliabh Binnian, across Annalong, and down to the Isle of Man.

Frozen Valentine

Lough Bray Lower and Lough Bray Upper at twilight in snow.

Silent Valley Schwarz

The ominously-named Silent Valley reservoir in Northern Ireland stores water for County Down and Belfast, a considerable proportion of the population of Northern Ireland. Obviously the water levels in a reservoir can rise and fall, and in theory this dark overflow pipe helps to regulate them -- but for some reason I wouldn't like to be water falling down it.

Remains of Ballydavid Signal Tower

On Ballydavid Head, the remains of a Napoleonic signal tower survey the sweep of north-west Kerry.

Inch Beach Spread

Walkers on the beach in Co. Kerry see the full spread of creation.

Sugarloaf Sunset

Sunset falling across the Sugarloaf Mountain, Wicklow. In the distance you can see the lights coming on in Dublin city.

Sugarloaf Sunset 2

The sun falls behind the Wicklow Mountains, from the top of the Sugarloaf Mountains.

Wexford Coastal View

A view along Wexford's coast, close to Fethard-on-Sea. In the distance you can see the Martello Tower on Baginbun Head.

Gate Lodge Grounds View

The old gate lodge of Lough Eske Castle, recently sold, has a fabulous view over Lough Eske itself. One evening I managed to catch enough of the dying light over a still lake to almost make up for my trespassing.

Owencarrow Viaduct

A ruined train viaduct of an abandoned train line in Co. Donegal, this isolated and beautiful site was the location of a major accident with a number of fatalities in the 1920s when high winds literally blew the train off into the valley below.

Grianán of Aileach

A ring-fort perched on the edge of Donegal, with the Bluestack Mountains in the distance. Dating is hard, but it is somewhere around 3700-4000 years old.

Killiney Obelisk

The obelisk on Killiney Hill at sunset.

Grand Canal Sunset

Grand Canal DART station at sunset; the dock itself is covered in algae during a drought.

Howth Scratchings

A July sunset blends an almost perfectly still tidal outflow into Howth, Dun Laoghaire, and a wider horizon.

Mediterranean Taney

The Luas bridge at Taney Cross, Dublin, during a particularly beautiful sunset.

Parallel Lives

The parallel curves of the West Pier at Dun Laoghaire, framing Howth in the background.

The Gathering Storm

The eerie red light of an oncoming snow storm, Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland.

The Road Less Travelled

Two roads diverged in a forest. Fairy Castle, Ticknock, Co. Dublin.

LE Granualie

The official maintenance ship of the Commissioners of Irish Lights looms out of the fog on the Dublin south quays.

Invisible Stalker

People walk away down a snow-bound track in Kilmashogue Forest, Co. Dublin.

A slice of Victor's Way

One of the most unusual parks I've ever been in, called Victor's Way in Co. Wicklow. It is full of statues like this.

Southside Panorama

A panorama of Dublin's south-side from Carysfort Park.