Beginner Yank photographer looking for a good place journey

skow

Greetings, my name is Mike. I’m a 25 year old who just invested in an EOS 350, and will shortly be visiting Ireland for the first time. I know Mark/Fenster who referred me to the board; he told me “photography forum collectively knows almost every scenic nook and cranny from coast to coast.”

And that is exactly what I’m looking for. I’m not really interested in museums and stuff of that nature. More so, the unique and breath taking parts of the world. I was hoping to find a few suggestions on where to travel (hopefully off the typical tourist trail). Preferably a scenic spot with old architecture (Old castles, churches, graveyards, or general ruins from the past).

I am fairly limited though; I need to be able to make it to where ever and back to a city with a hostel with in a day. I will have no access to a car, so if I’m able to make my way there by train, that would be preferable.

So please, let me know of any suggestions,
Thanks!

nilhg

Hi Skow, I'm sure Fenster has told you about Galway, I would suggest basing yourself there and travelling out wards from there, Connemara and the Burren being the two ovbious places to start.

Dundhoone

Yup, and if you dont have a car, the galway bus station will be you next port of call.

Have a look at this bus, you can get down to some nice spots on it.

Sadly , bus eireann dont have a hop-on hop off type setup, or this would be a pretty class photographing day trip!

http://www.buseireann.ie/bubble.php?id=57

Check out the number 50 route from galway to tralee with doolin hostel in the middle, for an over night. Ballyvaughan, doolin and teh cliffs are all great places for photos. I dont know how it would work out cost wise if you were taking short bus trips between each though.

If you go north/west from Galway , you really need to rent a car, to head over towards Cong /lough mask area (and to tour connemara )

Beruthiel

If you base yourself in Galway, a day trip to the Inis Mor (Aran Islands) should not be missed.

Roen

Hiya Mike/Skow,

what time of the year will you be over?

skow

I'll be there in 2 days from now. I am basing myself out of Galway, so i'll be sure to check out you suggestions.

Thanks for the info!

Roen

Whoops, I was going to suggest a meet up, but it's way too short notice for me, still though if you're down Waterford way on any weekend let me know and I'll show you some deadly places.

You've probably left by now but if you get to read this in an internet cafe I have a few suggestions.Assuming you're flying into Dublin airport I'd skip Dublin and head straight for Galway like already said.Spend a day around Connemeara and then head south towards the Burren,you're aiming for Dingle then.Rent out a bike in Dingle and spend a day touring around Slea Head(it's the only way to do it.)Then head for Killarney visiting Torc and Muckross,also try and find a tour bus that does the ring of kerry.This is the best I can think of at the moment using only public transport.The things you're looking for i.e things off the tourist trails,scenic spots and ruins will be very hard to get to without a car.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

Fenster

Skow? I didn't think you'd actually do it.

Drop this gentleman a PM. He might be able to show you around in exchange for tales of my seedy Vault days.

skow

Well, i'm typing this from a hostel in gayway. I spent yesterday in Dublin, should have skiped that.

Aran islands tomorrow, Cliffs the day after. Just hope i'm not overwhelmed with too many fellow tourists. Thanks for th suggestions.

Looks like your secrets are safe fenster, I'll try and meet up with someone next time when i have the forsight to plan more than 2 days in advance.

Fenster

Which island are you visiting in Aran? Are you sailing back into Lahinch in Clare, or to Galway? Eh, which hostel?

Dundhoone

Lets us know how you got on!

skow

I still got 2 weeks left on my tour de Europe (in Croatia). When I get back ill post a few pictures. So far Ireland has been my favorite place to be.

mikeanywhere

Only just saw thins, no pm received otherwise I could have done the Irish Tourist Board thing for ya!!

Hope the rest of the trip is going well for you

skow

Well I'm finally back home. Whew what a trip!

Ireland and Switzerland were by far the most beautiful places i ventured to.

I'll definably have to plan more time there next trip i make over there. Thanks for the tips, ill be sure to check out what was suggested and i didn't have time to do next time.

A few random Ireland photos:

Roen

Cheers for posting dude!