Photo Blog: A Guide's Favourite Photo Spots in Ireland

In an era of social distancing and restricted movements, we may not be able to get outdoors into the wilderness and the mountains. So instead, one guide is “travelling” around Ireland by sharing my favourite photos of places that are particularly special to me. I love the island of Ireland, but my favourite regions are Wicklow, Connemara and Mayo – all great places for hiking, exploring and photography.

Join wilderness guide Calliam Johnson’s journey down memory lane across the Emerald Isle.

Lush, green, and vibrant, there’s a reason that people call Wicklow the “Garden of Ireland.” Though popular with Dublin day trippers, there’s more to Wicklow than meets the eye, as long as you know where to look!  However, wilderness guides and outdoor lovers know Wicklow like the back of their hands…

Tip: Looking for vast, gorgeous landscapes all to yourself? Try hiking the Wicklow Way; as you get away from Dublin and the famous monastic site of Glendalough, you’ll see fewer people and you’ll have it all on your own. 

Connemara is perhaps the ultimate place to explore for any outdoor enthusiasts and amateur photography lovers. From mountains to bogs, ocean to lake, sheep-dotted slopes to wee cottages along narrow country lanes, what more could you want?

Tip: the ‘Golden Hour’ is a brilliant time for photography – sunrise and sunset. 

County Mayo is one of the least visited counties of Ireland, and certainly along the Wild Atlantic Way. Its quiet hills, wild shores and remote landscapes preserve some of Ireland’s greatest wilderness landscapes. Ireland has plenty of tranquil, wild places – but the Nephin Beg mountains of Mayo surely win the award.

Tip: Mayo has some of the best dark skies in Ireland – perhaps it’s worth a visit to the Dark Skies preserve to learn about the Irish night sky.