When you go to Ireland, you’d better expect rainy days and nippy winds from the west. After all, there is a reason why Ireland is called the green island. However, sometimes you may be blessed with sunshine and blue sky—in between that is.
Such was the case during the little bit more than two weeks I have been travelling mostly the west coast of the green island lately. We certainly experienced better weather than we had expected—even days when we got ourselves a little tan. Not at all bad for a visit to the usually rather wet island which stands as a barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and the rest of Europe.
I have always enjoyed visiting Ireland; the forthcoming people and their humour and sharp tongue as well as the beautiful landscape, whether its green rolling hills or the sharp cliffs falling off into the ocean. We got our shares of both this time. And of course our daily pint of Guinness.
This visit was pure vacation. And vacation is was. We were entirely able to enjoy life, whether in towns we visited or out on the countryside; then biking, hiking or kayaking. One might think that I, as a professional photographer, would not photograph much when on holiday. But of course I did, although photographing came second. Mostly for capturing memories and as a diary of our travel. Along here are but a few of the holiday impressions from Ireland.
Ah, lovely, Otto! If you ever did a workshop in Ireland, I could get myself over there. I do like Ireland, and haven’t been often enough…..
I might have to think seriously about that. A workshop in Ireland would be great fun.
Ooh, I do hope you do!
Great images (of a country I never got to visit when in the U.K. in the mid 1970s)
Thank you, Vicki.
What a great place. Looks like you captured it so beautifully too.
It almost happens so by default. It’s such a lovely country. 🙂
Wonderful and beautiful photos. I’m glad you had a great vacation.
Me too. It was much needed. Thank you, Linda.
Enchanting Ireland. I was in the north twice already. The photos are enchantingly beautiful.
Didn’t make it to the north this time, but I will surely be back again. It is an enchanting country, isn’t it.
It certainly is.
that opening photo is my fav – the blue in the boat and the head on feel – but each photo is warm and looks like a great trip (top of the day to ya – couldn’t resist)
Thank you for the feedback, Prior.
😊
Definitely a place that I’d like to visit. Your images and description make it vine more enticing. Adore the last one. Marvelous that you allowed yourself to be in the moment and the experience.
It’s the great reward when you can let go of everything else and just be. Thank you for the comment, Sally. Much appreciated.
I’m liking the idea of an Ireland workshop! Lovely photos Otto, glad you had a good holiday.
The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of a workshop in Ireland. 🙂
I think it would be sold out quick!
What amazing photos Otto. Its not somewhere ive ever been.
Thank you, Alison. Ireland is a special place.
I love that first photo, the blue boat really pops out. The second one is also so interesting, perfect timing with coffee shop guy looking out, fish and chips customers sitting on the outdoor tables and also a guy walking along the pavement…I really like this composition. All great photos, thank you Otto
Thank you for your kind remarks, Gilda. Much appreciated.
I’m so glad you thoroughly enjoyed your holiday, Otto. And for someone who put photography second, your photos are fabulous. I love the moodiness and atmosphere of them all. The light, the clouds, the unusual angles, the composition – all excellent. Thanks for sharing your holiday with us. 🙂
Thank you for the lovely feedback, Cathy.
Wonderful shots, Otto. It must be nice to have those dramatic skies follow you around.
It was indeed good for photographic reasons if nothing else. They come with the ever changing weather of Ireland.
Beautiful photos Otto!
Thank you.
Your photos are beautiful, Otto. I have always wanted to visit Ireland, but it will have to wait. I am glad you had a nice vacation.
Best,
Tanja
Hopefully you will get a chance to go to Ireland. It’s definitely a special place to visit.
Great pictures of the places you visited in Ireland! Your description of the weather there just reminds exactly of when I was there.
It was probably quite typical, although maybe a little better than was is the normal. 🙂
I love the travel shots and glad you both had a good time.. Like the bright colours and dramatic skies which I am seeing plenty of at home.
Thank you for the comment, Jane. It was always bright colours and dramatic skies, but enough to making me want to shoot a lot.
So beautiful photographs dear Otto, I really loved them all. And be sure, I wish to join a workshop in Ireland too… It would be so exciting and interesting for me too. Thank you, Love, nia
Well, well, the pressure to do a workshop in Ireland just increases, doesn’t it. 🙂 Thank you for the feedback, Nia.
yes. 🙂 It would be so nice… Welcome dear Otto, Have a nice day, Love, nia
how beautiful, Otto!! I don’t mind the rain, after all, i live in vancouver….. i would love to visit ireland and scotland one day… i even love movies set there… except maybe train spotting haha
What’s wrong with Train Spotting (and TS2)? Otherwise, I totally agree with you.
heroin. lol
No need to take any, just watch the movies…
Beautiful Ireland and her ‘happy people’ who love to sing and dance.
Yes, they do indeed – and drink. 🙂
Great images!! I loved Ireland rain or shine especially Dingle peninsula and Easkey 😄 would love to go back sometime!
Dingle peninsula is something very special, isn’t it!
My gr-gr-gr-grandfather was born in Ireland, in County Down, in 1771. My grandfather used to sing “Star of the County Down” to me, and tell me Grandpapa David would think me a star, too. I’m half Swedish and half Irish, more or less, and over the years the Irish has come to the fore — I’d love to see the country, and I’m glad to see this bit of it through your eyes.
I am happy if my images could give you some sense of your second – or third – home country. I hope you get to go to Ireland one day. 🙂
Lovely photos looks like you had a fabulous time.
I did have a great time. Thank you.
You have captured the essence of Ireland quite beautifully, both in the photos and the accompanying commentary
Thank you for the nice words, Louis.
Oh, well, maybe one day will be able to go Ireland, and kiss the Blarney Stone..!
Great pictures as usual Otto. 🙂
Thank you. May you wish be fulfilled one day!
Glad to hear that you had a really nice trip and were able to relax with you family. I’ve never visited Ireland but this is part of my future plans. Your photos are sooo beautiful. They make me want to buy a plane ticket right away. I will not forget to bring a trench.
Always a good idea to bring some kind of weather protection. Besides that, I hope you get to go to Ireland. It’s a lovely country to visit, in so many ways.
Ireland is on my list of places to visit in the next few years. My husband’s family originated there, and my daughter-in-law still has family there. I feel drawn to it, so it must be in my blood, as well. I love your photos! I’m not surprised you still take photos on vacation, and I’m grateful you do! Beautiful! You captured the spirit!
Thank you so much, Barbara. It sounds like you have plenty of connections with Ireland. A visit will thus be something special. 🙂
like stepping back in time
gotta love that yellow door image
Yes, Ireland is almost like living in a different time.
I really like the effects of the semi-clear and cloudy skies with the stand out colors on land.
I am glad you like it. Thanks for the feedback, Loujen.
How wonderful to have two full weeks off, and in such an atmospheric place. I like the variety in these images, town and country, ancient and modern.
The variety comes with the country. It everything, past and present, modern and ancient, urban and rural. Thank you for the comment, Lynn.
It has long been my dream to visit Ireland. Your glimpse into the Emerald Isle has just re-enforced that. Thank you for sharing your vacation time.
I hope you will won day get to experience Ireland. It’s a lovely country – in so many ways.
Lovely shots. Even though it looks like you saw different things, your images bring back good memories of a trip last August. I’m sure we’ll go back for an encore some year.
Yes, I am sure I will too. I remember you had quite a trip back then.
Wonderful images! I especially like the old boats and the cloudy Irish skies!
I am glad you like them. Thanks a lot.