Ireland (incl N)

A trip to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland has many surprises for the visitor. As far as great buildings this takes some beating. Here we see the Parliament Building with the old Stormont Castle hidden in the trees to our right. "Stormont Castle is a mansion on the Stormont Estate in east Belfast which is used as the main meeting place of the Northern Ireland Executive. It was never a castle as such: the original building was reworked in the nineteenth century in the Scottish baronial style with features such as bartizans used for decorative purposes. Between 1921 and 1972, it served as the official residence of the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. However, a number of prime ministers chose to live at Stormont House, the official residence of the Speaker of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland, which was empty as a number of speakers had chosen to live in their own homes. It also served as the location of the Cabinet Room of the Government of Northern Ireland from 1921 to 1972. Before devolution it served as the Belfast headquarters of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Office Ministers and supporting officials. During the Troubles, it was also used by MI5 officers." Wiki

A look back on my trip here last year. A great structure and, as you can see, a very pleasant place to relax. Belfast City Hall is the civic building of Belfast City Council located in Donegall Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It faces North and effectively divides the commercial and business areas of the city centre. First planned in 1888 and building started in 1898. Wikipedia

Enjoy the wild Atlantic coast of West Ireland here with me. With coast and skies like this, I was in photographic heaven for a fortnight. PiP

As the evening starts here in County Galway, Connemara, I show a photo from the front of our rented cottage. This has the rather typical weather that we experienced but also shows the wild grandeur of this part of the West Irish coast. To me, not the clear blue skies of idyllic far-away places but a scene that sets my mind in contentment mode.

Each little peninsular on the Northern Galway coast has a little sandy bay similar to this, it seems. Time to get the old boat out and do a spot of fishing maybe! Then again.....

As I walk along this way, my heart sings for me today To gaze upon a sea so wild but also so undefiled Yet I share with you, my visitors many To air your thoughts, that is, if you do have any! ..... Another shot from Connemara looking over the Wild Atlantic from near Clifden.

A wild fence in a wild country! If you peek just over the distant Islands and bits of land you can just about see the roaring Atlantic. One wonders why they need to keep fences like this here as I didn’t see any sign of livestock. In the distance we can see another visitor here and we can only imagine what he or she is doing out there. Enjoy! I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb Best viewed full screen.

Seen on our Roundstone trip. Also better known as Bunowen Castle. A chance sight but well worth recording here. Seated on Dun Hill in the area of Bunowen, County Galway. Built in the 1500s and overlooking a private beach which in the old days was used as the main access here for the ‘Ferocious O’Flahertys’ were seafarers; the head of the clan, Donal, even married the legendary pirate queen Granuaile (Grace O’Malley). (bravoyourcity.com) more info; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aughnanure_Castle

Another taken on our 'Roundstone' round tour, just south of Clifden in the Connemara. A little estuary of sorts, sheltered from the Atlantic storms by Islands and spits of land. See the fisherman out near the top boats and his dog is keeping a keen eye on me. This was the average type of weather out here with constant winds from the West over the wild Atlantic. Makes for moody cloudscapes though. Deserves full screen on black! PiP

As the sand swirls over the stony surface towards my camera, I wonder if this is all worth the effort, but as I gaze later upon this scene the answer is clear. Taken at Dog’s Bay in County Galway Ireland. HFF, I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb Best viewed full screen.

A look at this beautiful harbour of Roundstone here in Country Galway. Looking North here towards Bencullagh and Bengower.

A lovely Western Ireland bay sees us here with another fence. Where this started can only be guessed at, but we certainly know where it ends. Note the twisted white and black wire, usually denoting an electric fence wire so beware in trying to cross it. I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb PiP Best viewed full screen.

The twelve pins or sometimes called the twelve Bens are a series of sharp-peaked quartzite summits and ridges located in the Connemara National Park. This view taken from near the minor road to Clifden from Roundstone.

Quite a walk from the road, high above here. The castle actually faces a beautiful bit of coastline only about 200 metres below and right left of me here. One of those ruins which looks better from afar rather than nearby where you see the decay. A nice detour though and completely free to wander down this track. See PiPs In reality an old ruined Manor House built c. 1818 for John D'Arcy, the local landowner, in the Gothic Revival style. Uninhabited after 1894 it fell into disrepair. In 1935, ownership passed to a group of tenants, who were to own it jointly, and it quickly became a ruin. WiKi

We see here the back of this ruined castle which is in reality an old ruined Manor House. See Pip for classic view.

As I walk up this small hill, only metres away from the sea, I cast my eyes on another fence. This style of fence now becoming quite familiar on my travels here in County Galway. Enjoy. I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb Best viewed full screen

Dogs Bay in County Galway, near Clifden and Roundstone must surely count as one of the most beautiful that I have ever set foot on. With sand as soft as silk its no wonder that the trailing sea leaves so many tiny channels. We see here the changing sky from the blue morning clarity to the coming rain storms. The home of two of my recent HFF fence pictures on here too, just to my right, behind me here! See NEW pip with two older ones here. As usual, a must for full size on black.

A shot from Dooneen pier near Letterfrack in County Galway. The high hill in the background is called 'Diamond Hill'. No diamonds but lots of shiny shale? Enjoy