Achill

14 May 1985 – 30 years ago

Achill, Ireland, Photography, Travel

 

 

The first photographs I took were on a school trip to Connemara in 1985. I just noticed that it was exactly 30 years ago today that we started the trip.

14 May 1985

Climbing one of the Twelve Bens on the first day of the trip. To say that we were unprepared would be an understatement!

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Chris point the way to an unimpressed Chris. John looks nonplussed.

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The wind and rain was quite brutal. Unfortunately, we were nowhere near the top at this point.

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This was the top of the mountain. Now looking relieved to a downward stroll.

 

 

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Engaging in some spiritual reflection on the way down.

15 May 1985

Ben Lettery Youth Hostel

 

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Nice weather on the one day that we didn’t climb any mountains.

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Patrick posing at the Alcock and Brown memorial

 

 

16 May 1985

 

Ben Lettery Youth Hostel

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The final photo after an exhausing and we climb on the last day of the trip.

Red Alert

Achill, Ireland

It’s been stormy the whole Christmas period from a very bumpy landing at Dublin airport to being without electricity most of Christmas Eve. Tonight looks like being the worst of it. Winds are blowing like hell at the moment and it’s much worse in other parts of Ireland.
Happy Christmas!

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At times like this, one needs a great weather app. All of the obvious and most reviewed ones are pretty useless when it comes to showing the forecast for wind. So after trying all of the top ones, I downloaded yr.no. Quite brilliant for showing predicted wind speeds and directions. The only quibble is that the meteorological forecast is in Norwegian.

The Wild Atlantic Drive

Achill, Ireland, Locations, Travel

Nice idea to develop this route along the west coast of Ireland. The Irish Times is going to have someone travel the route and write about it every day.

Take the existing coastal road up and down the western seaboard between Derry and Cork, a route of some 1,400km, develop it, package it and market it to visitors – from abroad and other parts of Ireland. The trick is to do it by taking what is there already – remote and wild beauty, coupled with people who in the main are warm and friendly and have a vibrant culture and history – and draw people into it without compromising it.