kotography4u

Hi All - I and my 33 y.o. daughter are planning a trip to the west coast of Ireland on Sept 1 for a week, then to southern France (Provence, etc.) for another week. Landing in Shannon and am looking for sites to photograph from the southwest corner (Kenmare and Beara Peninsula) up to Sligo and maybe Donnegal. After that, on to Provence region for more photos for another week. I'm looking to capture landscapes and ocean, while not boring my daughter to death. Would like to avoid large cities (except maybe Galway?), and don't have much photo interest in old castles, and would like focus on / explore countrysides in both Ireland and France. Any "Don't miss..." suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for any thoughts!

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

I've done the Wild Atlantic Way and used Rick Steves guidebooks. Instead of giving you suggestions (I love old castles), get his latest book on Ireland. You won't be disappointed in the information and the reading style is fun.

And, I envy you. I love Ireland and want to return for a third time.

PS - Flying into Shannon is so much easier than Dublin.

OregonCoaster

The Burren National Park and the Cliffs of Moher. You will be able to get beautiful shots in every direction. Traveled there a couple of years ago with my patient non-photographer sister.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The west coast of Ireland is beautiful! Be sure to visit the villages and local places.

https://www.google.com/search?q=photo+ops+on+the+west+coast+of+ireland&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS925US925&oq=photo+ops+on+the+west+coast+of+ireland&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i22i29i30.10572j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

kotography4u

I have nothing against old castles, but want to stay as much outside and feast my eyes (and lens) on the Whitman's Sampler of landscapes and ocean in the limited time available. Also, my daughter is outdoors-y and I'd like her to marvel as much as I did the first time I went. Thanks for the Rick Steves suggestion!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I'll look forward to images of your trip. Do enjoy it and shoot a lot!

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

That’s cool. I think jerryc41’s Google search is a good place to look and I heartily endorse Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal. I think they’re more spectacular than the well-marketed Cliffs of Moher.

Please make time in the evenings to hit some of the pubs for music. Doolan and Donegal were great for us, as was some in the less well-known places. The people are friendly. Really they are, and like Americans.

I also want to recommend staying at Carrygerry House in Shannon, Co. Clare. It’s a country house run by a wife-innkeeper/husband-chef team; the food and ambience are amazing. Ask around, too, about “Corkscrew Hill” — it’s on N67 in County Clare and the views from the top are camera-worthy.

With only a week, even if you confine yourself to the west and/or the Wild Atlantic Way, it’s not enough time. You could spend an entire day on one of the Aran Islands, for example. Or, the better part of a day on a guided hike of the Burren, which is spectacular — ending at a round stone fort at the summit with a toast of Jameson’s. We did Dingle but not the whole peninsula, which would take at least a day. Ring of Kerry is also touted, but we didn’t do it.

You have plenty of time to plan. That’s also part of the fun.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Cliffs of Moher

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

Sounds like a great trip.
Western Ireland has a lot of great places to shoot and be outside. Take your time and enjoy.
Which airport in France are you flying into? Marseille or Nice?
Nice is very close to the Mediterranean Alps which has spectacular villages in the mountains...
Marseilles is surrounded by the beautiful small hill top villages likes Gordes or Bonnieaux. Beautiful terrain also.
If you are in this area check out the Buoux Valley... There is an old fort that is a short hike up to a great view of the whole valley.
Have a great time.

Dannj

The Dingle Peninsula is beautiful. Some even prefer it to the Ring of Kerry. Don’t be surprised, as I was, by the tropical flowers and palm trees in the Southwest.

photoman43

This sounds like a fantastic trip! In Provence, focus your time on the small villages like Bonnieux and Lourmarin and others. Try and be in a village when they hold their weekly market day and see the locals and their offerings. Check out where to go by looking at walking tours offered by tur companies like Country Walkers and Backroads. To see and experience the area, take as many walking trails as possible and eat where the locals eat, often at outdoor restaurants with picnic tables. Research the Luberon area of Provence. If you like larger cities visit Avignon. Same advice applies to Ireland.

https://www.countrywalkers.com/tours/france-provence-st-remy/

malaneystuff Loc: SE Wisconsin

I’d put my 2 cents in for Dingle also. Though $$, we hired a driver for a day out of Killarney. Well worth the money. He knew the area, restaurants, pubs and had great stories. Also, some roads are are pretty hairy to drive on along the coast. If you get past the Dublin pictures in the link below, the second half are from the Dingle Peninsula. Can even surf there.
https://www.timmalaney.com/Places/Ireland/

neillaubenthal

The boat trip out to Skellig Michael to see the monastery…it was in the last (or maybe next to last…whatever)Star Wars movie…where the Millenium Falcon swoops in over 5e ocean to the triangular peaked island and they find Luke Skywalker at the top. My wife and have shots taken where he was standing. Ring of Kerry, and a lot of other good s in this thread. Google Skellig Michael tours and make a reservation…after the Star Wars cameo a lot of geeks go out…seats on the boats are limited so it isn’t overly crowded but maybe hard to get tickets. Also in SEnIreland…the eastern end of the first Marconi radio transmission and the landing site for the first trans Atlantic flight.

Xmsmn Loc: Minnesota

I highly recommend the Beara peninsula for beauty, tranquility and local flavor. (Teaser picture attached). If you head over Healy Pass you might be lucky enough to engage in roadside conversation with John-Joe if he’s still alive. It’s easy to stay away from big cities.
In Provence we set up base near Rousillon among the many perched villages referenced earlier and lavender fields and so many other sights, and just soaked it up.
Jealous of your trip, putting those two destinations together in one trip. Have a great time!
Mark

(Download)

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Ring of Kerry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/sets/72157631745081793/)

Bunratty Castle (https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/sets/72157631744962017/)

Waterford Crystal Factory