Winter isn't over just yet, despite the traditional start of spring in Ireland being 1st February - the feast day of Saint Brigid, the whole of Ireland is now covered in snow on March 1st and today March 2nd caused by the so-called Storm Emma and 'Beast from the East'.

This image is from Armagh City, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, being the site of an ancient fort, Navan Fort, and the place where Saint Patrick established his principal church in Ireland in 444 AD.

The snowdrop is one of the most precious of any flower to grow in Ireland. It is one of the first signs of new life awakening before the winter has even finished.

With its delicate white flowers hanging on the end of pure green stems, often growing in clumps both in the wild and in gardens throughout the country, the snowdrop signals the start of longer days and the beginning of a new year, a new cycle of life.

Winter can often be described as a season without colour and lacking in sunshine, but it isn't usually the case at all in Ireland.

Recent weeks have seen plenty of sunshine and snow in the mountains, see some of my last posts for these here.

I often get asked if it snow in Ireland or does the sun shine in winter in Ireland.

And on certain days it is possible to say yes to both.

This week has seen plenty of snow here in Ireland, and it has also seen lots of blue sky and sunshine - with all three on the same day so I can answer yes to both of the typical questions. Yes, it does snow in Ireland and yes, the sun does shine in winter.

Here, a scene from the mountains of Ireland from a photography expedition above the snowline into the white world of winter.

To join me on a photography expedition in the mountains in any season contact me using the contact page.