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.

As of the 6th of January 2022, people travelling to Ireland will not need to have a negative PCR test to visit the country.

The rules were introduced in the autumn of 2021 when the Omicron variant of Covid-19 was beginning to spread throughout the world.

Now that it has well and truly catapulted positive cases in Ireland and the difficult task of controlling its spread means that it is difficult to continue with the process of making tests mandatory since the virus is so widespread here as in most other European nations.

However, unvaccinated travellers will still need to have a negative PCR test or show proof of recovery from the virus.

And all arrivals should take a daily lateral flow test (LFD), more commonly known as an antigen test here in Ireland, for five days after arrival.

That is, if you can actually find one to buy, nevermind five! They have become incredibly difficult to source, in Ireland; until recently anyone who wanted to test for Covid has had to buy one of these tests but recent days has seen the HSE provide three free tests to those under 39 in place of PCR tests. The best places to find them are in supermarkets such as Aldi and Dunnes Stores as well as chemists.

Panoramic Ireland's one-to-one tours of Dublin and beyond eschew large groups to allow you to concentrate on seeing Ireland, photographing your interests all without outside interruptions.

Take a private tour with Panoramic Ireland.

Today, December 21st, marks the shortest day of the year in Ireland and the northern hemisphere.

Daylength in Dublin has shortened to just under 7 hours and 30 minutes today with sunrise at 08:38 and sunset at 16:08.

Although this is the shortest day, the winter solstice, sunset has been getting a little bit later over the past few days with today's contraction in daylight hours coming from a later sunrise.

From here the days will gradually lengthen even if, typically, our winter weather remains dull and grey for several weeks as the coldest months of winter are yet to arrive.

It's now the week before Christmas 2021 and Ireland, like much of Europe and the world, is experiencing a sharp increase in Omicron variant Coronavirus cases.

For the moment, there are some public health measures such as 8PM closures for hospitality, those arriving into the country need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form and take antigen tests for five days after arrival; mask wearing has remained throughout in shops and public buildings.

With a late, and slow, start to the booster vaccination program, Ireland looks set to be badly hit with the more transmissible Omicron variant so we do expect there to be further measures introduced such as lockdowns or other restrictions on movement.

Because there are many uncertainties around Coronavirus and the new Omicron variant, I am again offering no-deposit-required bookings for January and February 2022.

Patrick Kavanagh, the cantankerous poet who came to live in Dublin from the tough country life in County Monaghan, spent much time on Dublin's Grand Canal.

So much so that he was honoured with a bench and a statue on the waterway that runs from the River Liffey to the River Shannon.

In his Canal Bank Walk he starts Leafy-with-love banks and the green waters of the canal.

He wrote the poem after his treatment in 1955 for lung cancer, in which he had one of his lungs removed, during a summer of convalescing on the banks of the canal.

Panoramic Ireland spends much time also on the banks of the Grand Canal in Dublin, the very canal that Kavanagh loved so much, drawing inspiration also both before and after cancer treatment.

Remember to support local business this Christmas, buy a photo tour for yourself or a voucher for a friend.

Leafy-with-love banks and the green waters of the canal

Pouring redemption for me, that I do

The will of God, wallow in the habitual, the banal,

Grow with nature again as before I grew.

The bright stick trapped, the breeze adding a third

Party to the couple kissing on an old seat,

And a bird gathering materials for the nest for the Word

Eloquently new and abandoned to its delirious beat.

O unworn world enrapture me, encapture me in a web

Of fabulous grass and eternal voices by a beech,

Feed the gaping need of my senses, give me ad lib

To pray unselfconsciously with overflowing speech

For this soul needs to be honoured with a new dress woven

From green and blue things and arguments that cannot be proven.

Canal Bank Walk by Patrick Kavanagh

As I write, Storm Barra - only the second storm of the Winter 2021 season is set to bring incredibly strong winds over Ireland

Storm Barra is set to batter Ireland for over 24 hours with forecasts showing sustained speeds of up to 80km/h and gusts of over 130km/h.

It has been, as is usually the case, a very calm day here in Ireland ahead of the stormy conditions. 

Twelve of Ireland's counties have been issued with top level and second level warnings for wind and rain with the associated problems of damage, fallen trees and flooding.

More to come on Panoramic Ireland over the next few days.

We are fast approaching Christmas again and as is usual for this time of year I have been making and sending out vouchers for photo tours by Panoramic Ireland.

Here, a fine waterfall is the focus for one voucher, a gift from a father to his daughter for a landscape photography session in the west of Ireland.

On this occasion we will look at the use of filters, long exposures and choice of perspective in landscapes.

I have written about vouchers before here and here.

Sunset in the mountains, Ireland, the sun goes down.

Valley lakes reflect the last of this day's light as the sun edges towards our apparent horizon on the mountain ridge; glints of brightness in the dark from quartzite rocks.

Thin Lizzy's haunting final single The Sun Goes Down is about more than this quotidian natural event, yet as one of my favourite songs, I feel it fits with this image quite well.

Of course, now at the end of November we are seeing early sunsets in Ireland at approximately 16:30 and we will soon reach the shortest day of the year.

Winter is a fine time for photography in Ireland, short days mean that sunrise and sunset are easier to be up and out for, the crowds of summer have gone and often a good winter storm brings interest to the coast.

Join Panoramic Ireland's photography tours in Ireland all year round, not just when the sun goes down - when it comes up as well.

County Tipperary has been named as one of the top places in the world to visit in 2022 by Condé Nast, the world's most famous travel magazine.

It has been mentioned specifically for its food and scenic beauty.

You will find no argument about this from Panoramic Ireland, we enjoy photographing in the green county that stretches from the River Shannon to the River Suir.