Connemara, Ireland In Photos

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).

Connemara Ireland - A Rock Fence

 

We embarked on our road trip early, got ahead of tour buses, and enjoyed the serenity of still waters.

Refelections of Connemara

 

A Lone House

The “Sky Road” near Clifden offers stunning views of the coastline.

The Road to the Sea in Connmeara, Ireland

These cows have the best view in all of Ireland.

Some cows enjoying the views

 

Founded in 1920, the Kylemore Abbey was for Benedictine nuns who fled Belgium during the first world war.

Kylemore Abbey, Ireland

 

Curraghs spot the water in many of the bays.

Connemara inlet

 

Hours could be spent along the coastline, watching the people brave enough to get in the chilly water.

The Beach

 

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.  

 

30 Comments... Read them below or add one of your own
  • September 2 2011

    Loved Connemara – thanks for the chance to relive it a little, although Kylemore Abbey looks much more hospitable without a blowing rain. 😉
    Mark E Tisdale recently posted..A Year of Pictures Later

    • Pete
      September 3 2011

      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.

  • September 2 2011

    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!
    Caroline in the City recently posted..15 Real World Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Sooner

    • Pete
      September 3 2011

      Interesting, we had not heard that. But if true, then yes excellent job indeed.

  • nod 'n' smile
    September 2 2011

    So otherworldly and serene! Seems like a setting for a movie.

  • September 3 2011

    Fantastic pictures. I have never been a fan of Ireland but your posts are making it grow on me
    Natalie recently posted..7 Reasons Why I Need Alcohol When Booking a Flight Ticket

    • Pete
      September 3 2011

      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 😉

  • September 3 2011

    Gorgeous photos, I didn’t go to Connemara while I was in Ireland, my biggest regret in the country!

    • Pete
      September 3 2011

      All the more reason to return right?

  • September 3 2011

    Your opening description is exactly how I felt about the Irish countryside. I didn’t get to Connemara–another itch developing.
    Vera Marie Badertscher recently posted..Italy–1950′s Style

  • September 3 2011

    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.
    Tai@TraveltoStLucia recently posted..St. Lucia Resorts-Ladera Resort Review

    • Pete
      September 3 2011

      Thank you Tai. We were really pleased how these turned out. We’re fairly new to the HDR game, but we’re slowly learning…

  • September 3 2011

    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.
    Cathy Sweeney recently posted..A Tramp in Heidelberg

    • September 4 2011

      The Abbey was STUNNING. Although we didn’t go in…it was ridiculously expensive! And crowded, of course… 🙂

  • September 3 2011

    Gorgeous!
    that is all 🙂
    Cailin recently posted..Top ten tips for attending & surviving La Tomatina Tomato fight

    • September 4 2011

      Thank you! That is all! 🙂

  • September 4 2011

    Your first HDR! Welcome to the club. MORE to talk about in Belgium now.
    Michael Hodson recently posted..Day 1 of the Ultimate Train Challenge: Total, complete, miserable, abject failure (#utc11)

    • September 4 2011

      Sure you don’t want to stay a few days? 🙂

  • September 4 2011

    boats in picture are Curraghs, Hookers have a sails

    • September 4 2011

      Oops! Thanks for the correction!! I will make the change. 🙂

  • Faith
    September 4 2011

    Wow, so surreal–especially the cow picture!

  • September 5 2011

    forgot to say great pics

  • Theodora
    September 5 2011

    Beautiful pictures…

  • September 6 2011

    Beautiful photos. Beautiful Ireland.
    InsideJourneys recently posted..Saying Goodbye to Summer 2011

  • September 7 2011

    Love the reflection of the Abbey in the water!
    Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..The Sad Truth about the Killing Fields of Cambodia

    • September 7 2011

      Thanks Raymond – that is one of my favorite pictures as well..

  • September 7 2011

    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. =)
    Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Photo Essay: London

  • September 12 2011

    Maaaaan this place looks like Newfoundland. Minus the castles.
    Candice Walsh recently posted..Photo Opp: Red Canoes on Lake Louise, Alberta

    • Pete
      September 12 2011

      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.

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