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.

The entire shoot can be viewed here

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.

The entire shoot can be viewed here

Blarney, County Cork

David travelled south to Blarney on May 12th to photograph the famous castle and it's surrounding grounds and features.

Situated six miles from the city, this was once a thriving manufacturing village, but now survives mainly on the tourist trade. Blarney castle was built in the middle of the 15th Century by Cormac McCarthy. He was so esteemed as a powerful chieftain, that the English settlers paid him an annual tribute of 40 pounds to protect them from Irish attacks.

In the Grounds of the castle the Rock Close and it's surroundings is a curios place of ancient trees and far more ancient stones, by legend a garden of druidic origin and a centre of worship in pre-Christain days. The place has an aura of magic and mystique with Wishing Steps, Witche's Kitchen, Druid's Cave and many other delights such as Lake Walk, Waterfall, Fern Garden, Ice House and Lime Kiln; all telling a story of centuries past.

The entire shoot can be viewed here