On this occasion, however, I knew that the weather conditions would be more challenging, the coast was my initial choice but with strong winds and sea spray I took a chance to head up to this portal tomb high up in the limestone hills. 

It would be easy to say that Poulnabrone must be one of the most photographed monuments in Ireland given the numbers of tourists who make the short journey from the nearby car park, and why not? It is surely one of the most impressive structures from any era to be found in any part of Ireland. I have photographed many of Ireland's ancient sites and landscapes and this remains one of my firm favourites.

The karstic area of north County Clare forming part of the Geopark is very rich in wildflowers and archaeology. Poulnabrone was found to contain the bones of 16 adults and children as well as flint implements and other artefacts.

But this region is also very barren, despite having pockets of lush grassland, as with all limestone plateaux few trees grow, pasture is limited and water disappears through cracks, crevices and caves and yet many people lived here thousands of years ago with the burials in Poulnabrone dated to the 4th millenium BC.

I couldn't help but think when I was standing there, as the stong winds and passing rain showers spread across the landscape; the greys of the limestone pavement almost blending into the sky, how desolate and exposed it was on a day like that, with warm, layered clothes and waterproofs on, how tough would it have been to live here six thousand years ago?

Yet there is a beauty to it that is undeniable, even on a cold winter's day and it is possible to feel the ancient connection with the land that we have somewhat lost today.

It's in the spring and summer when the unique wildflowers of this region are in bloom, injecting colour into the landscape, that the Burren is really spectacular.

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