Slea Head (pronounces SLAY) at the western end of the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry is one of my favorite spots in Ireland. The rugged headland juts its jaw out in defiance of the fierce Atlantic Ocean. Despite the hardships of this tough environment, the headland has been inhabited since earliest times as evidenced by the many stone beehive huts or ‘clochans’, some dating back 4,000 years. In medieval times, monks and scribes sought out it’s solitude in search of a simple, penitent life. The area is a ‘Gaeltacht’ where Irish Gaelic is still the everyday language and is the last living vestige of the great Celtic culture that once reigned across Europe from Spain to Turkey. The hardy people eked out a subsistence living from the rocky ground and fishing the seas in their home made currach boats which were little more than hide covered baskets. In Dingle, currachs are called ‘naomhogs’ meaning ‘little saint’, no doubt because the intrepid sailors realized they were venturing against the cruel Atlantic with no more than a wing and a prayer. (You can see a couple of naomhogs pulled up on the picture of Dunquin Harbor.)
The wind was incredible the day I was there. They were getting the tail end of one of the devastating hurricanes that tore through the Caribbean Islands this summer. It was all I could do to just stand up.
Comments and feedback greatly appreciated. Feel free to share your stories or memories of Dingle. Thanks for looking.
RobertW
Loc: Breezy Point, New York
Absolutely right- one of my favorite spots in all of Ireland, do you remember a Pub called "The Blue Loo"?
Seals in the harbor, Garnish Island, That wonderful coast!!, Maureen O'Hara's "Castle"??
This is a breathtaking series! You covered everything from flying laundry (super creative!) to distant landscapes that give us a terrific sense of place. #1 is a highly engaging and interesting composition with the foreground weeds and grasses and the view through ruins to the sea. #3 is another favorite for the rugged and steep viewpoint. All are wonderful.
Very nice set. #3 is just incredible.
John N
Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK
Beautiful atmospheric set, and I enjoyed your well-composed commentary to go with it.
Beautiful set of photos. My grandmother came from Dingle and you've captured perfectly the memories I have of the area on our visit there 20 years ago. Thank you for sharing.
Lovely scenery and well taken.
I like the second shot best because it depicts the type of weather and environment these tough Irish people lived in at the time. I have been to the west coast of Ireland and hope you had a chance to visit the Burren, the cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands as well. All very picturesque, particularly during inclement weather.
Really nice set, Phil. Love that last one, it it a pano or is it just cropped that way? How are you liking that Sony?
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