One of the most common garden birds in Ireland, the blackbird Turdus merula or Lon Dubh in Irish, is coming under threat from a mosquito-borne virus known as Usutu virus.

Now in Ireland, the virus has been the cause of significant population declines in the UK and other countries, London lost 50% of it's blackbird population between 2019 and 2020.

The blackbird was seen as a symbol of good luck in Ireland, especially in pairs or when it enters a house.

It was said that Saint Kevin of Glendalough, while praying inside his small cell, arms outstretched through an opening, had a blackbird land on his hand. The bird made a nest on it and laid eggs, the saint it is said, remained in position long enough for the eggs to hatch and fledge.

Seamus Heaney even wrote a poem on the legend.

Blackbirds were said to have been brought to Ireland by the legendary Finn MacCool, famous in mythology for creating the Giant's Causeway in County Antrim, from a visit to Norway where he heard their sweet whistle.

Indeed modern studies and evidence from ringed birds show that many blackbirds migrate to Ireland from Norway in winter for the milder climate.

Because it sings so loudly at dusk and dawn, the blackbird is often associated with the Otherworld, being messengers or symbolising reincarnation.

It would be sad to think of a further decline in blackbird numbers here in Ireland so let's appreciate these beautiful ground-hopping songbirds.

The ARM Cuauhtémoc, one of the world's finest tall ships seen here in Dublin Bay 2012.

Under sail this is one of the most impressive of the touring training ships, seen here with dozens of cadets working the rigging high on the ship's masts as it leaves the safety of Dublin's River Liffey for the Irish Sea as the tall ships leave Dublin.

The Cuauhtémoc has made headlines recently due to the bridge strike on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York where unfortunately two of its crew died and its masts were damaged.

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. 

Located deep within the widest of the nine Glens of Antrim, Glenariff, the lesser known of the falls on the section is Ess na Crub, which means Fall of the Hooves. This name refers to the thunderous roar of the falls even when there isn't much flow, it's incredibly easy to locate by its sound.

Glenariff comes from the Irish, Gleann Aireamh which means Valley of the Ploughman or Arable Valley. Each of Antrim's nine glens has a distinct feel and its own character and is an area well known to Panoramic Ireland.

I have been to Ess na Crub and Ess na Larach numerous times over the autumn, winter and spring 2024/2025.

Why not join me to photograph here in one of Ireland's finest waterfall locations in summer?

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.

A bright and colourful sunrise at the coast for Saint Patrick's Day 2025 in Ireland.

The Sun peeks over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the tranquil waters of the Irish coast, sand dunes in shadow waiting to warm up with the morning light.

The soft, pastel sky reflects on the calm sea, creating a mirror of colour and light on the day of Ireland's patron saint. 

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.

Are you planning to visit Ireland's famous Cliffs of Moher in 2025?

If so, keep an eye out for path closures at the stunning Wild Atlantic Way site. Currently, as of February 2025 only the paths around the visitor centre are open so it's impossible to walk from or to Doolin on the northern section of the trail at the moment and it's not possible to walk on the southern section of the trail to or from Hag's Head.

The surfers' path is still open on the northern section but not as far as the visitor centre.

With over 1.5 million visitors every year, the paths, which at times are close to the edge of the Atlantic, can be uneven and unfenced and have seen a number of unfortunate deaths in recent years.

To create new, safer sections of path the trails will be closed for most of this year, 2025 but with different sections open at different times.

The visitor centre remains open with viewpoints still accessible.

Check here for more information.

Ireland, despite a northerly latitude, sees little snow in the winter.

Indeed the countryside remains green for most of the dark months of the year, here mid-winter in the west of Ireland a scene of fields, wooded sections, a high water table and sheep grazing.

All under a dramatic sky to add character to the end of the short day.

So, while it does snow in Ireland in winter and spring, it looks a lot like this for the darker months of the year.

The west of Ireland is Panoramic Ireland's favourite part of Ireland, scenes such as this and a feeling of relaxation that only comes from the western seaboard.

Join me to photograph in the west of Ireland all year round.

When you think about Ireland in March, the first thing that often springs to mind is Saint Patrick's Day, the 17th of March. And no wonder, it's one of the world's most famous holidays with festivals and parades held in every continent. 

I have already written about visiting Ireland out of season, the summer months can, like any part of Europe, be incredibly busy and the autumn, winter and spring can offer the photographer much more in terms of access to Ireland at its best. 

Ireland in March can be warm, cold, and everything in between and I often get asked if March is a good time of year to visit. Yes is always the answer.

Colour begins to arrive in the hedges and certain trees, but snow can blanket the countryside turning green to white.

Here, below, are some of my favourite images from the month of March in Ireland over the years.

So if you are planning to visit Ireland in March or the other off season months, check out Panoramic Ireland's photography tours and workshops and enjoy the gallery on this post below.