In May 2024, Ireland was treated to a spectacular show of the Northern Lights. Amazingly, it was also a clear night! This is one of my favourite scenes in Killarney - looking out over the peaceful waters of Lough Leane at Purple and Tomies Mountains.

Seeing this vista under the spectacular purples and greens of the Aurora was an experience I'll never forget.

In May 2024, Ireland was treated to a spectacular show of the Northern Lights. The strongest solar storm in over 20 years gave the opportunity to photograph some of my favourite locations in these unique conditions.

Ross Castle is one of my favourite castles in Ireland, and lies just within the Killarney National Park.

The Gap of Dunloe is perhaps the most iconic of the landscapes around Killarney. A dramatic, steep-sided valley with a narrow road winding torturously through it, it's endlessly scenic.
This photograph was made at sunset on a particularly beautiful November evening.

This image is an example of needing to work quickly in landscape photography. While photographing the lake with a workshop group, I noticed that the fog on the far bank was highlighting a lone tree. Without the fog behind it, the tree is virtually invisible as it blends seamlessly with the trees behind it.
It was a mesmerizing scene, particularly with the wisps of cloud on the hillside beyond.

The Upper Lake, one of the famous Lakes of Killarney, is probably the most scenic. This is a classic view, looking out over the Macgillycuddy's Reeks from a location used by the lake's boatmen to tie up at the end of the day. Snow rests on the mountains on a fresh winter's day.

The first rays of sunlight glance the top of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks with Lough Leane in the foreground. Inishfallen island with its monastery is the the left of the frame.

Morning mist rises over the lake by Ballingeary, with mountains beyond.

The moon rises over Torc Mountain with the lights of Killarney in the distance.

The sun rises over Gougane Barra lake on a fine spring morning.

This was one of the finest sunrises I've ever experienced. The combination of clear skies in the northeast and low cloud and fog on the mountain allowed this dramatic composition including the sun, filtered through layers of mist.

The Black Valley is one of the most isolated places in Ireland. Surrounded on all sides by Ireland's tallest mountains, it's a place of serene beauty - and never more so than after a snowfall.
This image of Cummeenduff Lough looks west to the peak of Broaghnabinne (Bruach na Binne), an outlier of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks.

Seen through a haze of rain from the slopes of Mangerton Mountain.

Ladies' View is one of the iconic viewpoints in the Killarney area. Named for Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, who were apparently much taken by the spot during her visit to the area.
I've always been taken by this tree, which is largely overlooked by the tourists who visit this place in droves during the summer months. I think it sets the view off very nicely, and this image made under starry skies gives the place an otherworldly feel. The lights of Killarney are visible in the bottom left of the frame between Torc Mountain on the right and the Eagle's Nest on the left.

The dramatic karst landscape of the Burren, contrasted by the pastures to the left of frame.

This image was made at Newfoundland Bay on Killarney's Upper Lake. Looking back east to Torc Mountain with the glow from Killarney on the horizon, the Plough (or Big Dipper if you're from the other side of the Atlantic) hangs in the sky overhead like a question mark.

Ross Castle is one of Killarney's most popular tourist attractions. Probably built around the 15th century, it was restored in 1979 and is open to the public.
Seen here from Rien Pier by the Workmen's Rowing Club boathouse on a fine summer's morning, it's easy to see why it's such a popular place to visit.

The rising sun paints Mount Errigal in tones of pink and purple over the lake.