Photographs are vital to this blog, so we are always out and about with our cameras. This is a personal selection of images that pleased us in 2018. Some of these photographs have appeared in our posts, and some on our Facebook pages, but several are appearing here for the first time. Some of them remind us of places we’ve stumbled across, like the one above. It’s a room in the 15th century Castle Salem, all done up for a movie – a wildly romantic one, I bet.
From there to the iconic Fastnet Rock Lighthouse. They changed the bulb this year, to LED. We can still see the light at night, but it doesn’t sweep across the sky like it used to. On this trip, mostly photographed by my nephew, Hugo, the scaffolding was still up for the renovations.
We love the Beara and try to get over there as often as possible. It’s famous for its colourful villages – this one is Ardgroom. And not too far away is a wonderful stone circle – Robert mentioned it in last week’s post. This photograph is of the outlier and shows how it seems to mirror the shape of the landscape on the Iveragh Peninsula.
Coming back, or going, our route always takes us over the incredible Healy Pass. I’ve chosen the photograph below because the remoteness of the little farms take my breath away.
But if you look closely, this photograph also shows the old field patterns from tiny holdings long ago, including the lazy beds – ridges left from cultivating potatoes by hand.
Our own Mizen Peninsula is fertile ground for exploration. This enormous standing stone, for example, can be seen in Crookhaven Bay. But even though it seems to be set in the sand deliberately, some authorities feel it is a natural feature. There’s what looks like an old stone field fence nearby, and lots of archaeology in the area.
We’re looking down on that area from this vantage point (above), and across to Brow Head, always great for a wander – we included it in our West Cork Obscura list.
We love to bring our visitors out to the Mizen Head Visitor Centre too. It’s a wonderful experience, with dramatic scenery and vertiginous cliffs. There are lots of remnants still to remind us of the active past of this lighthouse and signal station, including this derelict, if picturesque, shed.
Of course, the weather isn’t always wonderful, even if it seems that way in a set of carefully-chosen images. But even when it’s wild, it’s worth taking the camera along – the photograph above was taken at the Altar in Toormore on a stormy day.
Robert, as our readers know by now, is a hare fanatic, and one of the highlights of his year (next to becoming a citizen!) was when little Berehert, a young hare, showed up on our lawn and hung around for a few days.
Meanwhile, nothing makes Finola happier than to wander around among the wildflowers. She runs a Facebook page on the Wildflowers of West Cork – so pop over there any time to see the amazing range of flowers that we get to enjoy here.
The other thing she loves is to drop into churches to study the stained glass. We’ve written about the fabulous George Walsh windows in Eyeries before, but there are lots of surprises wherever you go. She was quite taken with a wonderful three-light war memorial window in St Peter and Paul Church of Ireland in Bandon. Above is King David from that window, by the firm of Clayton and Bell. Gorgeous, isn’t it?
From March to October West Cork hosts a huge number of festivals. Everybody goes to everything – from the Ballydehob Jazz Festival (above), to events celebrating country and traditional music, history, wooden boats, the arts, short films, knitting (really), stone carving, food and more.
Our own view is a never-ending source of delight. This is sunset over the Goat Islands, Greater and Lesser, which lie west of Long Island. There’s a cleft down the middle, which is dangerous to try to navigate, and no place to land. As a result the islands are quite wild, with a herd of feral goats. For us, they have an air of profound mystery.
Our final photograph was taken yesterday – a traditional farmhouse on the slopes of Mount Gabriel. Lots more West Cork scenes in the months to come!
Loved the photos of a most beautiful place on earth…keep it lit for 019. Tom Coughlan
LikeLike
Thanks, Tom – we’ll keep it coming if you keep reading!
LikeLike
Given how dangerous the rocks off Mizen Head are is it known if there was a means of warning ancient sailors of those dangers?
LikeLike
Not that we know of. Hook Head in Wexford had a medieval beacon – https://roaringwaterjournal.com/2019/05/26/oldest-lighthouse-in-the-world/ – but no record of that on the Mizen.
LikeLike
Your photographs are always inspiring, and so descriptive. Thinking about it, I can’t remember having seen a photo from either yourself or Robert that did not capture me. Difficult to select a favourite although photo 1 pretty much says it all.
LikeLike
Thanks, Brendan! As a contributor yourself, you see what goes into a post.
LikeLike
We love your Photographer’s eye. Always great pics.
LikeLike
Thanks – and I return the compliment!
LikeLike
Thanks again for your wonderful photos and info. Just arrived back for New Year, hoping the mist lifts to reveal the beauty surrounding us.
LikeLike
Forecast is looking a bit better, Una. All fingers crossed.
LikeLike
Beautiful pics I grew up there so they bring back wonderful memories
LikeLike
That’s great, Eileen!
LikeLike
Loved your photographs, especially the last one, the farmhouse on Mt Gabriel. I could gaze at that for hours. Beautiful
LikeLike
Thank you, Patricia!
LikeLike
Fantastic photos they all tell a storey.Always cheer me up in London .Thank you.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
LikeLike
Thanks, Noel – glad it does that!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing all this beauty and story throughout the year.
LikeLike
Thanks, Tom – and thanks to you for all the great information as well.
LikeLike
Wonderful!!
a great collection that calls the heart to Cork
LikeLike
You have drunk the waters now, Carol.
LikeLike
A wonderful selection, the Healy Pass one takes my breath away!
LikeLike
It’s all those little fields, ruins of old cottages, lazy beds – it’s sad, too.
LikeLike
Beautiful photographs you two post….makes me lonesome for Ireland and in a hurry to get back to Ballydehob. Thanks Patrick O’Farrell Lt. Governor, D5870 Major Events Local Coordinator, Rotary Youth Exchange President, E-Club Foundation Past President, Northwest Austin Rotary Club pofarrell2007@gmail.com (512) 905-1759
>
LikeLike
It’s waiting for you, Patrick!
LikeLike
As always you both capture the spirit of the area and provide delight for your readers. We all owe you a debt of gratitude. Please keep it up. Best for 2019 – Denis
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Dennis! Planning another trip?
LikeLike