Connemara, Ireland In Photos
Words by Dalene Heck / Photography by Pete Heck
When driving through certain pockets of Ireland, it’s easy to imagine being part of a marvelous fairy tale.  The county of Connemara is such a place – with it’s low stone walls, mirrored lakes and one picture-perfect Abbey – I found myself waiting for cartoon animals to pop out from behind trees and white stallions to run ahead and guide our way.
Low stone walls are used to separate fields – these can be seen throughout Ireland but are most common here (as far as we’ve seen).
We embarked on our road trip early, got ahead of tour buses, and enjoyed the serenity of still waters.
The “Sky Road” near Clifden offers stunning views of the coastline.
These cows have the best view in all of Ireland.
Founded in 1920, the Kylemore Abbey was for Benedictine nuns who fled Belgium during the first world war.
Curraghs spot the water in many of the bays.
Hours could be spent along the coastline, watching the people brave enough to get in the chilly water.
The kind folks at HDRSoft have given us a copy of the their Photomatix software. The photos above are our first attempts at HDR and we are quite pleased with the results.
Loved Connemara – thanks for the chance to relive it a little, although Kylemore Abbey looks much more hospitable without a blowing rain. 😉
I believe it. We were very lucky to get some sunshine, albeit it didn’t last long. Not 10 minutes after we took some photos the rains came.
I remember when I was there my guide told me that most of the stone walls along the roads in Ireland were built by women who needed work during the potato famine. They’ve clearly done an excellent job since they’re still there!
Interesting, we had not heard that. But if true, then yes excellent job indeed.
So otherworldly and serene! Seems like a setting for a movie.
Fantastic pictures. I have never been a fan of Ireland but your posts are making it grow on me
Thanks Natalie, we’ve still have a couple more posts about Ireland to go so we’ll see if we can make you a fan 😉
Gorgeous photos, I didn’t go to Connemara while I was in Ireland, my biggest regret in the country!
All the more reason to return right?
Your opening description is exactly how I felt about the Irish countryside. I didn’t get to Connemara–another itch developing.
Wow these photos look like portraits. I’m so jealous that I’m almost ready to pack my bags and head over to Ireland! Really cool pics.
Thank you Tai. We were really pleased how these turned out. We’re fairly new to the HDR game, but we’re slowly learning…
Oh my gosh — all of your posts have me craving to get back to Ireland! I loved Connemara. Kylemore Abbey is beautiful — had lunch at a lovely inn near there, but can’t remember the name of it.
The Abbey was STUNNING. Although we didn’t go in…it was ridiculously expensive! And crowded, of course… 🙂
Gorgeous!
that is all 🙂
Thank you! That is all! 🙂
Your first HDR! Welcome to the club. MORE to talk about in Belgium now.
Sure you don’t want to stay a few days? 🙂
boats in picture are Curraghs, Hookers have a sails
Oops! Thanks for the correction!! I will make the change. 🙂
Wow, so surreal–especially the cow picture!
forgot to say great pics
Beautiful pictures…
Beautiful photos. Beautiful Ireland.
Love the reflection of the Abbey in the water!
Thanks Raymond – that is one of my favorite pictures as well..
Loving the HDR! We just started to play around with it more this weekend while we were taking tons of photos in the Cotswolds and at Stonehenge. Can’t wait to play some more and see how they turn out. =)
Maaaaan this place looks like Newfoundland. Minus the castles.
The similarities of landscapes, people, culture are very close to the Rock (of course minus the castles). I have a feeling you’d love it there.
I know I would! 🙂