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Darren McLoughlin

Irishman and International travel photographer in search of the best bits of Ireland. Leading photography tours and experiences in Ireland.

Contributor to New York Times / Sunday Times / Irish Times / Echtra Echtra and Eonmusic

Cancer survivor.

Ask me about travel in Ireland or about photography in Ireland.

A few years ago I posted about the fine views on a sunny day from Antrim to the Scottish islands of Islay and Jura, as well as the Mull of Kintyre (out of sight on this particular post).

Recently, Michael Cory contacted me about the post and the image, to use it in his fortcoming talk on mapping.

He is giving a talk on the Ordnance Survey and its early 19th century baseline established on the shores of Lough Foyle which formed the basis for all measurements between places in Ireland, Britain and further afield for the best part of two centuries.

Above here, an intense double rainbow looking across Benone towards Magilligan and beyond, Inishowen in Donegal.

Michael is a land surveyor who has mapped many portions of the world's more exotic corners, his talk is in Dublin on the 13th of June 2024 at 18:30 in Phoenix Park entitled From Limelight to Satellite: The Importance of the Lough Foyle Baseline.

To reserve a free spot, attending what is sure to be an informative, enjoyable talk have a look at the eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-limelight-to-satellite-the-importance-of-the-lough-foyle-baseline-tickets-907599413277?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1

Bruce Springsteen brought his 2024 World Tour with the E Street Band to Ireland, first off was Boucher Playing Fields in Belfast on 9th of May.

As a long time music photographer it was a pleasure to be able to photograph The Boss at the start of his visit to Ireland.

And in news just in Bruce Springsteen has had to postpone several concerts in his European tour with Marseille, Prague and Milan being axed as the 74-year old rock star has taken doctors' advice to protect his vocal talents.

I've been busy out on the road since, but expect more images soon.

Great Pollet Sea Arch is one of Ireland's finest coastal geographical features. Situated off the coast of County Donegal's Fanad Peninsula, the sea arch stands at 20 metres above the crashing waves along this rocky headland.

Known in Irish as Stua Mór Phollaide (Great Pollet Arch), the sea arch as seen here separated from the mainland on the left due to coastal erosion during the millions of years since these rocks were formed.

Here the rocks are quartzite having been formed during the late Precambrian, somewhere between 2.5 billion and 541 million years ago part of the Dalradian Supergroup that runs between the north of Ireland and central Scotland.

As throughout Ireland, much erosion has taken place in the intervening time and at some point, likely in the last 11,700 years which is known as the Holocene (since the end of the last Ice Age) this section of the headland became a bridge with a sea cave eroded through it and then subsequently it became detached from the mainland behind it.

Thus forming what we see today, an impressive sea arch which is Ireland's largest sea arch. Note that a sea stack, such as Dun Briste is different to a sea arch.

I will be leading a few small group photography workshops in Donegal during 2024 and 2025, to find out more contact me using the contact page or form.

Dublin is a good place for street photography, full of character in its people and its buildings. Often in the streetscape itself although some difficulty exists throughout much of the city centre with visual intrusions.

This scene is a good example, a classic image of a cobbled street filled with old buildings and the famous Guinness gatebeing passed by two locals wearing dark clothes who themselves look a little like a pint of Guinness on legs.

Join me, Panoramic Ireland, to photograph street photography, landscapes, seascapes and more in Dublin and throughout Ireland.

On Monday 25th of November join me for a special price of only €135 for an afternoon of street photography in Dublin, usual price €215.

Private Street Photography Workshop

Date: Monday, November 25th, 2024
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Duration: Afternoon Session
Special Offer:
€215 €135

To book your session, contact:

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Tuesday, 23 April 2024 21:12

Beltany Stone Circle, Donegal

In Ireland's far north, one of its finest stone circles sits on a low hill with commanding views over the local countryside towards distant ridges.

Beltany stone circle comprises 64 upright stones organised in as close to a percect circle as a highly disturbed ancient bronze age site can be.

The stone circle is made up of larger than typical standing stones for an Irish site, some here are 2.5 metres in height.

Intense double rainbow arcing over Doe Castle and the sands of Sheephaven Bay in Donegal on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way.

Doe Castle dates to the 1420s and was home of the McSweeneys, a clan originally from Scotland who came to Ireland as mercenary fighters known as gallowglasses.

The name Doe Castle is an anglicisation of Caisleán na dTuath which means castle of the area or district - a túath being an administrative area in Gaelic Ireland.

The tower itself is 15th century but the outer enclosing walls, the bawn, date to the 17th century.

Exterior of Doe Castle, County Donegal, Ireland
Doe Castle, County Donegal, Ireland

It has been a challenging spring this year, the weather had not been entirely favourable.

Lots of rain, lots of wind and not much in the way of sunshine so here a fine day in Aprill by the coast on County Antrim's Causeway Coast.

Photography is always a challenge in Ireland, the weather really can be in your favour or against it but there can be no doubt about it, Ireland is always a fun place for photography.

Join me, Panoramic Ireland, to photograph on the coast throughout the year.

Thursday, 18 April 2024 23:22

Ireland Misses Out on WRC 2025 and Beyond

Ireland will miss having the world's largest off-track motorsport event visiting in 2025, 2026 and 2027 as deadlines for funding pass.

The governing body for motorsport in the country, Motorsport Ireland, has abandoned its bid to bring the most famous rally event to Ireland again.

The event would have seen Waterford, Limerick and Kerry hosting stages of the international race event, bringing international tourists into the south east and south west of Ireland.

It looks as if despite Ireland's long association with motorsport and rallying that racing will be limited to national and local events such as the Galway International Rally.

This orange gate in rural County Waterford will now have to do with only local racers, of which there are plenty, passing by on the scenic county's back roads.

A shame, as the county was home to one of Ireland's most famous drivers - Craig Breen, who died during the Croatia WRC rally in 2023.

Red Gate in Waterford, Ireland
Red Gate in Waterford, Ireland
Monday, 15 April 2024 23:53

Return to the Dark Hedges, April 2024

Antrim's Dark Hedges are famous for mature beech trees but each year sees several fewer making the iconic road feel less like an avenue.

After scheduled maintenance saw six trees of the famous Dark Hedges removed in late 2023, Storm Isha in January 2024 brought down another three of the beeches.

Large gaps have appeared now in sections of the avenue, and whilst new trees have been planted it seems that the Dark Hedges will disappear for the best part of a century until the replacement beech trees have matured. 

Here, images from April 2024 on a wet and windy day on Ireland's most photographed road. 

Join me, Panoramic Ireland, to photograph on Ireland's Antrim Coast or Wicklow.

Dark Hedges, April 2024
Dark Hedges, April 2024

Calling all artists! Dublin Canvas is now open for submissions for 2025. 

This inclusive public art project started in 2015 with aims to make Dublin pretty by painting utility boxes all over the county, from Balbriggan to Killiney.

There are 80 boxes in Dublin City, 15 in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and 12 in Fingal and, unlike 2024 when there were no boxes in South Dublin in the artist call, there are 15 in SDCC for 2025.

Dublin Canvas will supply materials such as paints, brushes and €300 to cover travel expenses and food etc. for the day, or they will pay €350 if you supply your own materials.

The call for artists is now live, and closes on Monday 2nd of June 2025. 

More information can be found at: https://www.dublincanvas.com/paint

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