Between Carryduff and Lisburn, with views across Belfast and the Lagan Valley lies the hamlet of Drumbo, with its historic Round Tower, now situated the graveyard of the Drumbo Presbyterian Church.
The tower is one of the oldest monastic monuments in Ireland, dating from around the early medieval period. It was around in AD1130 when records show that it was plundered by one Connor McLochlin.
Continue reading Drumbo Round TowerIt was a sky just like this that inspired the songwriter Jimmie Kennedy to write his famous lyric, “Red Sails in the Sunset.” This image was captured using the Fujifilm X-T2.
Red sails in the sunset
Way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one
Home safely to me
Sketrick Island is a favourite place for a walk, and a walk needs a camera… Today, Friday 8th May 2020 Janette and I went for a socially isolated walk along the causeway out to the island. It was a lovely warm, calm sunny morning. Here’s some shots…
I think this is my ‘Shot of the Day…’
Kilwarlin Moravian Church and Thermopylae in Co. Down!
Kilwarlin Moravian Church was founded by John Cennick (He of Gracehill, Ballymena fame) in 1755.
Click to see post about Gracehill
Kilwarlin is described on some internet sites as a ‘small village near Hillsborough, Co.Down’. The truth is that it is scarcely that, rather a ribbon development of homes along a very narrow country road, not wide enough for two vehicles to pass, and accessible only with great care.
It’s back to the North Coast, one of my favourite parts of Northern Ireland! This time to spend an October day around Ballintoy, a picturesque harbour between the Giant’s Causeway and Ballycastle, Co. Antrim. I took the Fujifilm X-T30 and the Nikon F100.
Ballintoy (Baile an Tuaigh – the northern townland) village is less than a mile from the harbour, which is accessed by a narrow winding road. Even the journey to the harbour is visually rewarding.
A pleasant evening walk out to Island Hill, one of the islands in Strangford Lough, near Comber, and easily accessible by a long winding causeway.
Slemish Mountain is in Co.Antrim, to the east of the town of Ballymena. Traditionally, it is said to be the first Irish home of St Patrick, who tended sheep as a slave boy on its slopes.Slemish (Slieve Mish) is around 1500 feet above the surrounding plain, and is visible for many miles around.
Let’s face it – landscape photography is not for me! Successful landscapes seem to involve lots of early mornings, long arduous climbs to the top of mountains, hours of patient waiting for the sun to be at exactly the right point in the sky, or for the tide to turn… All much too energetic!
But I do find cityscapes to be intriguing, – I like the Belfast skyline when I’m passing through the city, and wandering the streets with a camera, making images of historical buildings, churches, dereliction, narrow entries and architecture can be really worthwhile and fulfilling.
Driving along the Portaferry Road, Newtownards this morning in nice clear Autumnal light, so I stopped for a few minutes (I couldn’t spend any more time) and pointed the Fujifiln X-T2 across the mud-flats (tide was out) towards Scrabo Tower.
Janette and me went for a wee drive up to Castlerock today, and out to visit the Mussenden Temple, Downhill Demesne and Beach. It was a bright sunny November morning, cold and with an invigorating wind! Great day for photography though.
