May is one of the most scenic months in Ireland, woodlands are carpeted with the colour of bluebells.

The Irish bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, is found growing wild throughout the Irish countryside in April and May, along road sides in hedgerows, in forests and anywhere with a bit of shade.

Usually sunlight wouldn't add to a woodland image like this, but patches of early morning or late evening light can create depth through a photograph of bluebells in a green forest scene.

Pictured here, May 2025. 

It's too late to photograph bluebells now for 2025 in Ireland so why not join me to photograph Hyacynthoides non-scripta in Ireland in 2026. 

The Quiraing and Trotternish is undoubtedly one of the most photogenic landscape locations in the world.

The Quiraing is part of the 19-mile long Trotternish Ridge, a huge, natural landslip which is the largest in Scotland.

Quiraing takes its name from the Scottish Gaelic Cuith Raing which itself is derived from the Old Norse Kví Rand, meaning “round fold/enclosure”, a safe place for livestock.

Trotternish comes from Tròndairnis, nish as a placename ending means ness, or headland and so Thrond’s Headland is the translation.

The landscape as seen here features basalt that has slipped or moved in landslides, in the North Atlantic Tertiary Volcanic Province (Southern Extension), a large igneous area formed around 60 to 50 million years ago during the Paleogene.

Golden Hour Dawn Swim in March at the Forty Foot, Dublin, Ireland

Early morning is a time to experience the true beauty of the world, daylight builds before sunrise to bathe landscapes in golden hour colour.

I've written about this location before, it's the Forty Foot in Dublin and doesn't need a lot of introduction if you've been a regular visitor to the site. 

There is a special serenity to the morning, an ephemeral liminality as the short-lived golden light moves into bright daylight.

And at this time of year, it's getting bright around 06:00, with sunrise under an hour later.

Join Panoramic Ireland to photograph in Ireland throughout the year, especially at sunrise.