Inspiration

CraggyIslander

I've been suffering from a severe lack of inspiration or enthusiasm for my camera lately and have decided it's time to end the drought!

I've a rental car arranged for this weekend and will be following my nose or the wind, am looking for suggestions as to which direction I should point my nose in first. I'd mainly be looking for landscapes and hopefully a bit of wildlife or purdy flowers

Any suggestions for good spots? Was thinking of heading towards the southwest as havent been there in a looongg time.

GristlyEnd

Not sure where you are based but I just drove through the Sally Gap yesterday. The light was crap so I'm going to head back this weekend. Fantastic landscape scenery. You could then head down to Glendalough or the Wicklow Gap.

Calina

The Burren or the Ring of Kerry

Borderfox

Wicklow is such a beautiful place, but if I hired a car I would probably go to Kerry and around Dingle and Killarney..

CraggyIslander

am in rathgar and regularly go somewhat up the wicklow mountains towards sally gap. Although usually without my gear as it adds a lot of weight to the pushbike

Dingle and the Burren look like the places I'm going to revisit and then take the scenic route home on sunday

Borderfox

Check the weather for the Burren, I was there last September and it pi**ed rain for the two days.

City-Exile

Nothing like getting down to Kenmare & the Beara Peninsula, then head from Glengarriff up Gougane Barra.
Most people on here wont be aware of the magnificant beauty down there, but it's their own loss. Let them waste away their lives in the Wicklow hills.

nilhg

It's a good time of the year to be out and about, and while it would be great to get away to some of the wilder places suggested above, there is still plenty to see closer to home, most of these were taken within a few miles of home ( and some within yards ). I'm not saying these are inspiring mind, but the countryside does look well at the moment.

bullpost

I'd second that. Went through Glengarriff onto Kenmare for the first time last year and the photo opportunities along the way are amazing. Will definitely go back - though next time without a car full of kids!

City-Exile wrote:

Nothing like getting down to Kenmare & the Beara Peninsula, then head from Glengarriff up Gougane Barra.
Most people on here wont be aware of the magnificant beauty down there, but it's their own loss. Let them waste away their lives in the Wicklow hills.

Rob_T

West Cork all around Bantry Bay is stunning

magicbastarder

the sally gap doesn't really offer much by way of a range of shots - there's not much interest close up, so it's mainly wide shots you're looking at.

Borderfox

Sally gap is a fairly barren place although within reach is Luggala with spectacular views and Glenmacnass waterfall with a beautiful view of a glacial valley stretching down to Laragh..

AnCatDubh

Agree - Sally Gap is bland / barren - except for a bit at the start of it where you begin to rise. The Wicklow Gap is far nicer and a worth while drive for that direction.

If heading west - the road from Westport to Lenanne(sp?) is a gem, particularly if you get a pleasant evening with a bit of sun setting. The golden hour there can be just magical - lakes, reflections, breathtaking scenary, small dwellings, mountains, mist, eh - to use your own term - inspirational.

Cheers.

Fajitas!

Ferry to Wales.

CraggyIslander

no no no, last time i was in wales I got stuck waiting for the ferry to rosslare for 3 days....... thats how bad the weather was. when finally did arrive in ireland there were flash floods everywhere..... good times camping in torrential rain on a muddy field .

The Beara peninsula looks the most likely candidate........ any recommendations on where to stay?

ThOnda

Anywhere, just open and use your eyes. I really love north and Dingle peninsula. Mountains in Co. Mayo are wonderful, Ennischrone beach is unique, Greencastle at Kilkeel shows magical colours...
Wherever you go, there is something. Like in Midleton, Tullamore or Bushmills for instance :-)

PonderStibbons

Fred C. Dobbs wrote:

The Beara peninsula looks the most likely candidate........ any recommendations on where to stay?

Are you camping? I spent a couple of days in the Beara Peninsula for the first time last week, and stayed in a campsite called The Peacock which was really nice, and also much cheaper than any other campsites we stayed in. They also rented out mobile homes and basic little chalets - I don't know how much they cost though... They had some rabbits, guinea pigs and this guy:



Might make for some nice photos!

Here's their website: http://www.neidin.net/peacock/

JMcL

Borderfox wrote:

Check the weather for the Burren, I was there last September and it pi**ed rain for the two days.

A good umbrella and conversion to black and white are your friend

If you're heading to west Cork as others have suggested, I'll add a vote to Glengarriff/Beara peninsula. Garanish island is well worth a visit (boats from Glengariff), and take the chance to go over the Healy pass in the middle of beara - it's stunning

Spyral

GOOO WEST ! where we say OH ARR!
GOOOO WEST where the sheep go BAHHRR
GO WEST where its not too far
GOO WEST with your camera !

ThOnda

Narrrp, go nord! :-)
What about thombs and other neolitic constructions? There is lovely house and garden in Strokestown and just few kilometers further to the west there are dozens of neolitic and Celtic "memorabilias" once you pass Tulsk and goes up to the plane.

CraggyIslander

spyral, not that awful song from that awful commercial for whatever awful stuff it was

Love going west and north...... donegal.... fascinating place

This weekend its the Beara peninsula...... will be in Glenngarriff tomorrow eve, should be good as base camp

Phaictan

I hate to give away secrets but head down to Leitrim (no Dustin the Turkey jokes please).

You have amazing lakes, beautiful rolling hills and all the sheep you can eat!

My own little secret location for great shots is Parkes Castle on Lough Gill, with the Isle of Inisfree in the background.

Wherever you go I'm sure you'll get some great shots. This is definitely my favourite time of year for landscapes.

Valentia

There is no doubt that this wee country of ours has a million photo opportunities the we haven't discovered yet. If only we had the time!!!!

Markham

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markhamnolan/tags/kerry/

Dara Robinson

Bah, forget all this Ireland larke (although I have to say I love Ireland) and head off to Scotland. West Scotland and also the area surrounding the Fort William and Inverness is awesome. But take the road less travelled, its way more impressive

CraggyIslander

ooh aah, 1.5 more hours to go and I'm awayyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Almost think I've never been away before

Will post back with some results once I get back