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.

The entire shoot can be viewed here

Ballinamore 16 June

David did a photoshoot recently in Ballinamore for a new series of cards for Smyth’s Gift Shop

Ballinamore is located in the heart of Leitrim’s magical lake and drumlin landscape, 150 km north west of Dublin and is strategically placed, close to the major road and rail networks.

Ballinamore or Béal an Átha Móir means “Mouth of the Big Ford”. It is so called because it is the main crossing point on the Yellow River. It is situated in what is known as the Valley of the Black Pig which was the frontier between the ancient ‘cúige’ or province of Ulster and the rest of Ireland in the middle of the fourth century
Ballinamore town originates as a mediaeval settlement built at the time of the plantations after a grant of surrounding lands was made in 1621. It grew around its mill, and had flourishing ironworks in the 18th century.

Tara 3rd June

Willow launched a new ownbrand range for the Hill of Tara ealier this year which you can see here


David recently revisited Tara to see how the new cards were going, but also couldn't help taking a few photos while he was there.

Wexford

David recently visited the county of Wexford on the to complete an interpretative shoot of the town and surrounding county. The shoot will result in a range of specially designed greeting cards and other material for Wexford.

The entire shoot can be viewed here

Belfast City

On May 7th, David was invited to photograph the city of Belfast and its features, both historically significant and modern. Selections from this shoot will be used to produce a collection of greting cards/ calendars and postcards for Belfast city.

Lying on the border of the counties of Antrim and Down in Ulster, Belfast is at the head of Belfast Lough on the north-eastern coast of Ireland. Belfast is the capital of and the largest city in Northern Ireland.

Historically, Belfast has been a centre for the Irish linen industry, tobacco production, rope-making and shipbuilding: the city’s main shipbuilders, Harland and Wolff, which built the ill-fated RMS Titanic, propelled Belfast on to the global stage in the early 20th century as the largest and most productive shipyard in the world. Belfast is also a major seaport, with commercial and industrial docks dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline, including the famous Harland and Wolff shipyard.

The entire shoot can be viewed here

New Ownbrands for the Hill of Tara, County Meath

Seen below are some samples of the Willow Ireland's ownbrand range based in the Hill of Tara.

The Hill of Tara, known as Temair in gaeilge, was once the ancient seat of power in Ireland – 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times.

In ancient Irish religion and mythology Temair was the sacred place of dwelling for the gods, and was the entrance to the otherworld.

Saint Patrick is said to have come to Tara to confront the ancient religion of the pagans at its most powerful site.

Tullamore county Offaly

On the 19th February David travelled to the town of Tullamore in Offaly where he photographed the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre. The center itself is packed with an interesting collection of artefacts and memoribilia on the craft of distilling this fine Irish whiskey. These photos will be used to produce promotional material for the center.

Cashel county Tipperary

David was in county Tipperary on the 18th photographing the beautiful town of Cashel and it's historic sites where he photographed Cashel's unique Chriatian heritage where he photographed the rock of Cashel itself and other monastic settlements in the area.

Hill of Tara, county Meath

David recently visited the Hill of Tara in county Meath on the 9th of February to complete an interpretative shoot of the ancient site. Both the Celtic and Christian aspects if the site are included in the shoot. A full range of greeting cards, post cards, and posters is now designed and will soon be available at the Hill of Tara shop, Maguires of Tara.

Arigna Mining Museum County Roscommon

David recently went underground in the Arigna mines on a comission for the Arigna Mining Museum, Keadue, Boyle county Roscommon. This presented an interesting photographic challenge. Many of the shots will be used for audio visual purposes as well as for promotional products.