Photographing The Wild Atlantic Way has been a passion of mine over the last few years. This 1600 miles (2600 km) coastal route along the west coast of Ireland, is one of the most recognised in the world.

You can begin your journey at the Inishowen Peninsula in north Donegal and continue the route down to the beautiful town of Kinsale, Co Cork. As a child, we spent many holidays in Co Kerry so I was very familiar with the spectacular scenery in that part of the world from a young age. However, it wasn’t until more recent years that began to truly explore the entire west coast.

This is not take away from the east coast of our island in any way. I’ve also visited there and really enjoyed the views of the Ancient East. The draw of the wild Atlantic Ocean, with it’s ever changing light and crashing waves always brings back. These is something truly magical along this coastline.

There are a huge diversity of places to visit, each offering it’s only special and unique character. You will find enchanted hidden villages, vast mountain ridges scaling into the sky, as well as many ancient monuments. Mythical landscapes, remote little bendy roads that unfold into extraordinary vistas.

One of my favourite times of the year to visit the coast is winter. The raw power of the ocean and typical Irish weather cannot be beat. With the wind whipping at your hair, the spray of the ferocious tides on face, it’s hard not to feel alive.

There are also some of the stunning beaches I have ever visited. From Keem on Achill Island to Slea Head in Co Kerry, you are continually surprised by the sheer beauty of our island. I love the fact that the landscape is always changing yet somehow stays the same.

I’ve recently purchased a Wild Atlantic Way Passport – this allows you to keep a unique record of your journey along route. There are 188 individual stamps to collect, one for each discovery point. This is the perfect souvenir of your journey and is available to purchase online or in An Post outlets in Ireland.

Keep an eye on my social media channels for something really exciting that I’m working on at present. All will be revealed in 2022 and I can’t wait to share news of this special project!

Ireland has so many beautiful coastlines and thankfully I don’t have to go too far to access one of the most iconic, along The Causeway Coast.  This region is rightly known for its spectacular scenery and they are many hidden gems to be found when you go off the beaten track.

In 2020, I took time to really appreciate the North Coast of Ireland.  With it’s rugged coastal walks and beaches, there is something for everyone.  There are many designated places of Outstanding Natural Beauty along the coast, the perfect havens for wildlife, birds and butterflies.

For those of you interested in the past, you’ll find ruins, megalithic stones and pilgrimage sites aplenty.

The 120 mile Causeway Coastal Route is listed as one of the Top 5 Road Journeys in the world. How amazing is that!

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you will know Donegal holds a special place in my heart.  It’s up there in my top 3 favourite counties in Ireland and I love to get back to the coast any time I can.

From my childhood to present day, we often visit sunny Bundoran or Fundoran as we like to call it!  It’s the perfect base to stay and also to go exploring from.  There are so many different exciting locations to visit in the county, each offering it’s own unique characteristics.

From the fishing villages and towns like Killybegs to majestic beaches, Donegal has it all.  A few of my top rated spots to visit would be: –

Málainn Bhig – Silver Strand Beach

Sliabh Liag Cliffs

Port Ghost Village

Carrickfin Beach

Fanad Head

Assaranca Waterfall

Caves of Maghera

St John’s Point

Magheroarty Beach

I could go on for days.  If you get the chance to visit Ireland, definitely include Donegal in your stay.  It’s one county not to be missed!