With the temperature warming fast and rain forecast, I took the opportunity to walk into the mountains to photograph the snowy landscape.

On the steep road up into the mountains I met a woman, man and their dog, they told me of a long-abandoned village in the mountains; we chatted for a few minutes before I was on my way again walking up that steep, narrow road covered in snow.

Ascending the steep incline to the high ridge, I was almost floored by a strong and constant westerly wind that brought clouds and clear spells minute by minute.

Snow has finally arrived, the 9th of March 2022 and a decent amount too but it is unlikely to last for long.

Ireland has been under a weather warning for wind, rain and snow over the past two days.

When this snow melts, expect flooding.

For now, the landscape is quiet and the colour of the countryside is temporarily changed from green to white.

Saint Patrick's Day is close, March 17th, and we will expect to see a lot more green in Ireland over the next few weeks.

So, to answer one of the most common questions about Irish weather - does it snow in Ireland? - well yes, it does but it's hard to say when it will happen.

Count yourself lucky to experience it unless you have to get somewhere, because the back roads can be treacherously slippy.

There is some wild weather on the way for Ireland this week, stormy winds and rain.

I am planning a visit to the west of Ireland soon and have been looking through images from previous visits.

Here I found this one from 2014 when the late evening sun, partially obscured by fast moving clouds, momentarily illuminated the rocky mountainsides above the lake.

It probably wouldn't be a bad place for a swim, but on this occasion photographing along the entire west coast of Ireland was the endeavour.

Next visit will be for photography as well, but maybe after that a little bit of time to have a picnic and a stroll or even swimming in this fine mountain valley lake.

Why not join me to photograph in Ireland's wild landscapes or in Dublin.

Dublin's Custom House, one of the city's fine Georgian buildings sits above the River Liffey as it flows through the capital of Ireland seen here with arches lit up in the colours of the flag of Ukraine.

The Custom House is very recognisable to Dubliners, it was designed by one of the finest Georgian architects who designed many of Dublin's most iconic building - James Gandon; it opened in 1791 to serve as the building in which to collect and pay taxes for good shipped through Dublin, most goods travelling via the quays - the riverside.

After my last post mentioning the lack of snow thus far in winter 2021-2022, a vista of fresh snowfall in Ireland, the green of the Irish countryside whitened for a short time.

In places, particularly the northwest of the country, enough snow fell to make travel hazardous but further south and east there was only a dusting of snow as seen here.

As of the afternoon, almost all of this snow has gone save for some at the foot of the deep hedges seen here where the sun doesn't reach, behind the orange and green gorse in the middle of the image.

There is a lengthening of daylight as we edge closer to the start of meteorological spring (you might have seen my posts about traditional spring beginning on February 1st) and despite the storms of recent weeks, the days are getting brighter.

Of course with the Irish weather being so unpredictable we still have the potential for snow up to at least the end of March.

Panoramic Ireland hasn't seen much snow this winter, unlike in previous years.

The Winter of 2021-2022 has been somewhat mild with a lack of snow, even in the mountains.

Here in February, a narrow mountain road leads on into the distance towards distant mountains through a landscape of reddish-yellow winter heather and gorse.

Winter and spring can still bring snow in 2022 but for the moment all is still colourful in the Irish landscape.

A fine afternoon sky from today in Ireland with rays of the sun . 

Sunbeams break through fast moving clouds as the sun edges past the hypotenuse of this nebulous triangle into clear blue sky for a short time.

The hills and low mountains of Ireland, illuminated in places into the distance.

After a fine scene of golden winter light yesterday, this definitely made a perfect afternoon outing with camera to mark three years since my cancer operation. Indeed it reminded me of this image from the time of my chemotherapy.

For the first time in a while I ventured back to one of my favourite locations for landscape photography today.

And, although the prevailing conditions were cloudy and windy, for a moment late afternoon sunshine broke through to illuminate the mountain ridge and enhance the red hues of the bracken and heather covered landscape.

Seven sheep are just visible, grazing the meagre mountainside.

Even in winter, in late January, the weather was mild with temperatures of 11C.

January 2022 has seen some big changes in Ireland compared with much of the past two years.

There are now no restrictions on availing of hospitality, travel and tourism in Ireland, visitors who have received Covid-19 vaccines can enter the country without a test, and those who are not can use a negative test to gain entry.

Once here, there are now no checks when dining in pubs and restaurants. Sporting events are going ahead and there are no checks to stay at hotels or other accommodation - this was the case throughout the pandemic.

Sensibly, masks are still required in shops and indoor public places.

Come and visit Ireland, let Panoramic Ireland help you find the hidden, quiet places to photograph.

The little bit of snow we have had in recent days in Ireland has now gone, melted more by heavy rains than warming temperatures.

Today saw some bright and sunny winter clear skies but also almost-night winter sleet and rain brought by thick, dark clouds.

Here, in the image above this afternoon, a weather front spreads across the green Irish landscape towards me bringing with it sleet, followed by dark, wintry showers just out of scene.

Ireland remains green and often bright in winter, the days are now lengthening again after the winter solstice on December 21st. 

No images from the recent snow but some video that I might get posted soon.

Join me, perhaps later in the year, when weather conditions improve to learn how to photograph in the Irish countryside.

Panoramic Ireland's photography tours and workshops run all year round.