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Thursday, August 5, 2010

Malahide Castle

David photographed Malahide Castle recently for a new range of cards featuring the castle and the rooms and furnishings within. Below are some images from the shoot and some of the new card fronts.




Malahide Castle is one of the oldest and most historic castles in Ireland. From 1185 until 1975, it was the home of the Talbot family. This was a remarkable tenure by a single family and is one of the longest in Ireland.
The oldest parts of the castle date back to the 12th century and it was home to the Talbot family for 791 years, the only exception being the period from 1649-1660, when Oliver Cromwell granted it to Miles Corbet after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland; Corbet was hanged following the demise of Cromwell, and the castle was restored to the Talbots.
The building was notably enlarged in the reign of England’s King, Edward IV, and the towers were added in 1765.








Glenveagh 20th July

David was in Glenveagh National Park during July and photographed the Park and the Castle for a new range of greeting cards. See some of the photos and cards below and more of the images can be seen by following the link lower down.








Glenveagh National Park lies in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north-west of Co. Donegal. It is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains and pristine lakes. The Park, over 16,000 hectares in extent consists of three areas. The largest of these is the former Glenveagh Estate, including most of the Derryveagh Mountains. To the west are the quartzite hills around Crocknafarragh and to the south, the peatlands of Lough Barra bog, Meenachullion and Crockastoller.
Glenveagh Gardens
Many famous Irish Gardens are set in natural landscapes of great beauty and nowhere else is the contrast between the luxuriance of the gardens and a rugged and exposed environment as marked as at Glenveagh. Situated at the foot of a steep, wooded hillside sloping down to Glenveagh Castle on the windswept shore of Lough Veagh, the uncompromising conditions of high rainfall and acid soil have been successfully exploited and the gardens feature a range of exotic plants from places as far afield as South America, Tasmania and China. The acid soil is particularly suited to the growth of rhododendrons, of which there is a fine collection.









Dublin Tourism

David recently photographed Dublin Writers Museum and St. Andrews Church in Dublin for Dublin Tourism. Below you can see some of the photos from the day and also some of the new card fronts as part of the Dublin Tourism ownbrand.




Dublin is famous as a city of writers and literature, and the Dublin Writers
Museum is an essential visit for anyone who wants to discover, explore, or
simply enjoy Dublin’s immense literary heritage.
At the Writers Museum, Dublin’s literary celebrities from the past three
hundred years are brought to life through their books, letters, portraits and
personal items.
The building, a restored Georgian mansion on Parnell Square, is a treasure
in itself. The sumptuous plasterwork in the rst oor Gallery of Writers is
worth a visit alone.
Temporary exhibitions and lunchtime theatre, a specialist bookshop, and a
cafémake this compact and informative Museum all the more appealing
to anyone interested in discovering more about Dublin’ immense literary
heritage.

Bunratty 6th July

David visited Bunratty early in July and photographed the Castle. Below are some of the images from the shoot and some cards from the new range produced by Willow for Shannon Heritage.





Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century, by the Earl of
Thomond, who was renowned for his hospitality. That tradition
of hospitality is kept alive today with the world-famous Bunratty
Medieval Banquet, held twice nightly year round. For over 40 years
the ladies of the castle, aided by the Earl’s butler, have welcomed
guests from the four corners of the globe to join them at the Earl’s
banquet. The entertainment includes an atmospheric reception and the
superb Bunratty Singers provide tting entertainment to complement
a delicious four course meal, with wine. Guests are sure to enjoy
an unforgetable evening in the splendour of the Banquet Hall, of
this magnicent castle. The long oak tables, bench seating, ickering
candle-light and the warm glow of the open-re, create a unique
atmosphere, reecting the banqueting style of the medieval era.





Trim 30th June

Whilst in Dublin David also visited Trim and took photos of the town and Trim Castle for a new set of cards and postcards for Siopa an Caislean www.royalirelandgifts.com



One of Ireland’s heritage towns, Trim is situated on the River Boyne. It once had the oldest and largest religious settlements in the country. The town is dominated by the medieval Trim Castle, which was built by Hugh de Lacy in 1173. The largest Norman castle in Europe, it is now restored and visitors can access the 75ft square keep and grounds by guided tour. Sections of the epic film Braveheart were filmed here.
Soon after proclaiming Christianity in Ireland, St. Patrick built a church here on land granted to him by the son of the High King. He built it near an ancient ford that crossed the river just beyond the bridge and it was from this that Trim got its name.











Wednesday, August 4, 2010

National Wax Museum June 30th

David visited the National Wax Museum in Dublin to photograph the exibits for a new ownbrand range of cards, postcards and posters. http://www.waxmuseumplus.ie/