ireland

Turlough Hill Sunset

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Sometimes you get rewarded late…. so late that all gear was stowed away as I was on the return leg after a fine, yet far from spectacular – at least from a photography point of view – climb up to Turlough Hill in the afternoon.

While a beautiful day it was, the sun shining sky high throughout, the oh so often elusive yellow ball did vanish behind a tick layer of clouds as I prepared for my carefully selected sunset shot. One of those days, it seemed. Nothing you can do about it.

As I set sail before darkness hit, all of a sudden the world around me turns into a vibrant orange, red and purple wonderland. Gone is the layer of clouds, free is the sun, minutes away from dropping behind the back of Turlough Hill.

A sunset photo at last!

Tough Going

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Storm Emma, or delightfully called “Beast of the East” makes life tough for everyone here in Ireland at the moment. Snow as high as a full metre – those who braved the storm had a price to pay: the white powder in the face, numb fingers and every little step one that had to be fought for.

Incredible to think that this is still Ireland. Incredible even more so to think it’s the second of March. Spring around the corner…. Really?

Beast of the East

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A couple of surreal days – snow in Ireland…. a lot of snow, in fact! So much so that the population is ordered to stay indoors. The snow storm is battering my home for a solid two days now – getting to a level where I wonder: should I be worried?

Well, today, I ignored the warnings and went out for a walk with the cam in the hand exploring my local area…. running right into the midst of the storm! There were moments where you couldn’t see what was in front of view.

The white powder battering anything that’s in the way, be it houses, trees or human faces!

The Grand canal is frozen. The poor swan, lonely and waiting for better times, can only sit patiently on the ice in the hope of someone throwing him some bread. Hopefully – so the meteorologists say – the worst is over after the weekend.

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Panoramic Hill of Allen View

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After passing the site multiple times in recent weeks (and didn’t find it instantly when actively looking for it either), today there was no stopping getting to the top of the Hill of Allen!

To find the site, even more so to find parking, is an adventure in itself. Don’t expect signs, and don’t expect the small car park that exists in theory to be open either – the site is officially not open for public any more as quarrying takes place at the other side of the hill.

It it still possible to go up, though. A small, muddy way leads all the way to the hill. A shame the county council has effectively abandoned this site of historical importance as it could be a real gem – if protected and cared for.

At the top of the tower has been a glass canopy erected a few years ago. Unfortunately this one has been smashed and glass is scattered as wide as the eye can see.

If you squeeze through the open frames you’ll be rewarded with the most magnificent view over county Kildare, the Curragh all the way up to the Wicklow Mountains in the distance, nonetheless. It’s well worth the effort.

A Grand Horse

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An imposing individual – 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sizing John, today at Punchestown Racecourse (Ireland) after a winning seasonal reappearance in the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase.

Nikon D7100, Tamron 70-200mm G2; 70mm, ISO 500, f/4.0, 1/800s

Rallycross at Mondello Park

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Would you believe it? Six years and counting…. that’s how long I reside in Ireland now. Mostly in Dublin, of course. And as you would have noticed following this blog: I do love sport. Seen pretty much all you can see here. The obvious and the obscure ones. But motor sport? I didn’t have a clue!

I mean, I had no idea it even remotely exists in this country the way it actually does. There is, however, just outside of the capital, this massive race track, the Mondello Park – it’s of course the green island’s only international circuit.

Well, for a couple months now I live in Naas, county Kildare, outside of the stinky capital. And as it happens Mondello Park is a leisurely 20min car ride off the home door.

Last Sunday was the right time to visit the place. The Irish Rallycross Championship took place this day. Cars in all shapes and forms thundered down the track in countless small lap races. Close to the action with fantastic viewing of the track I had to get out the cam and shoot the exciting scenes unfloding right in front of my eyes:

All photos taken with the Nikon D7100 and the G2 Tamron 70-200mm.

Been a tremendous day out there at Mondello Park. Viewing is great from across the track. You get as close to the action as safety regulations can allow. Can highly recommend a visit. I for one will be back, that is for sure.

Wicklow Panorama

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8mm, ISO 100, f/8, 1/100s – Nikon D7100, Sigma 8-16mm

It looked simple enough on the map. The reality was steep. And windy. At least not rainy. That was for later. Hiking up to the Djouce Mountain in the Wicklow’s isn’t a big deal, though the last bit is steep enough for untrained legs.

Add some high winds and it makes for a stern test on a weekend’s afternoon. It was too windy up there and the looming rain clouds made sure I only stayed for a brief period until making my way down again.

Light was sparse, though the shapes of the different mountains, hills, the wide panoramic view of the Irish coastline makes for an image where you can’t do much wrong.

The wonderful 8-16mm from Sigma in the back delivered once more. I wanted to capture the atmosphere felt on the mountain in a wide panorama to show the contrasts of the scene. It’s not the most special image I’ve ever taken. Still, It was worth to get out there and take it.

Ashbourne International Baseball Festival

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It was a rare trip to a game I admittedly only watch occasionally – here and there a bit of MLB on TV, however it certainly was the first time live in flesh here in Ireland: off I went to Ashbourne, the International Baseball Center a leisurely 20 minute drive from my Drumcondra home. In prospect was a full afternoon at the finals day of the Ashbourne International Baseball Festival.

It’s been fun. Despite the fact that the final to crown the overall winner of the tournament dragged on long into the evening I really enjoyed the thriller that was the game between the Irish national team and a selection of the best international players of the Irish Baseball League.

The day was also another good opportunity to test the new Tamron 70-200mm lens in a real-life situation. The light and weather was changing constantly, in fact it was actually rainy and dark towards the end, as well as fast moving subjects made the G2 work hard.

Good night Dublin

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Dublin, view toward Samuel Beckett Bridge – 30s, ISO100, f/22, 70mm

Skellig Michael

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Great Skellig, the larger brother of the Skellig islands, stand tall and proud eleven kilometres off the west coast of Ireland. The islands peal rises to over 230 m above sea level and is recognised a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A sixth-century Christian monastery sits at 160 m above sea level on a ledge close to the top of the lower peak- back in the day it used to be known as the end of the world. It certainly feels like that if you happen to find yourself there coated by layers of fog…