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.

Sunset on Saint Patrick's Cathedral, one of Dublin's most famous buildings.

Founded on the site of Saint Patrick's conversion of a local pagan to Christianity in the 5th century, the first reference to the site dates from the 9th century but it is 1212AD before the church becomes a cathedral.

The original tower was destroyed and rebuilt in 1370, the spire as seen here pointing skywards was added much later.

Interestingly there was a university founded here at Saint Patrick's in 1320 that, had it still been in existence, would be the 10th oldest university in the world.

Join Panoramic Ireland to photograph Irish, and Dublin, scenes.

Photography workshops and tours available all year round, throughout Ireland.

There are currently plenty of challenges with visiting Ireland, the country is now the most expensive in Europe for the cost of living, hotels are charging astronomical rates and the recent car hire challenges are being reported almost daily in the international press.

And of course that's assuming you can get here, flights are relatively cheap but with many cancelled flights in and out of Ireland and huge delays at Dublin Airport the difficulties are real.

While all of the above is true, there can be no doubt that Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries to see and to photograph.

Join me, Panoramic Ireland, to photograph in the Irish countryside such as here at these fine stone circles - Beaghmore, Co. Tyrone, one of my favourite places to photograph.

'How now brown cow' goes the old saying which is often used in elocution, it's also a phrase often asked of us who come from Northern Ireland.

Most from the other corners of Ireland find how northeners pronounce the 'ow' sound to be funny.

Of course, there are many different Northern Irish accents but this one remains a favourite.

Bright sunlight and architecture always works well in photography.

What often doesn't work is shooting against or towards the sun, contre-jour - as seen here in this image.

Photographing through the windows here has allowed me to make the most of the tricky lighting, giving a starburst effect and emphasising the strong sunlight and shadows in the window heads.

Join me, Panoramic Ireland, to photograph scenes like these, to make the most of the weather, lighting and the Irish countryside with its myriad attractions.

Moone High Cross dates probably to the 10th century, making it over 1,000 years old.

Carved from granite, it is the second tallest of Ireland's high crosses.

Enjoy the video embedded above showing a walkthrough of the site and the cross.

It has been a busy few weeks for Panoramic Ireland with photo tours in Dublin, Antrim, Galway, Mayo and Kerry.

Here, on one of a few rare days off a visit to an old stone abbey surrounded by trees. Peaceful and quiet save for a few birds and my own footsteps on the gravel underfoot.

Threecastles, County Wicklow - Ireland

I've been out photographing in the Irish countryside in recent weeks as autumn makes its way across Ireland.

On one of the bright blue-sky days I stopped at Threecastles in County Wicklow, south-west of Dublin.

Dunluce Castle in my own County Antrim.

Used by Led Zeppelin in their album artwork for Houses of the Holy 

I won't bore you with all of the details as I have written previously about Dunluce Castle on County Antrim's Causeway Coast here: http://panoramicireland.com/photo-tours-blog/cow-in-front-of-dunluce-castle-causeway-coast-antrim-northern-ireland

Dunluce and the Causeway Coast is a place that I lead many photography workshops and tours in. Join me, Panoramic Ireland, on a day that suits you: http://panoramicireland.com/photography-workshops-ireland/northern-ireland-photography-workshops-photo-tours/book-a-photo-tour-in-northern-ireland-causeway-coast

Snow - it's been a snowy winter here in Ireland.

As I've written before, and will no doubt again, it doesn't snow as much as you might think in Ireland but when it does snow it doesn't stick for very long.