Discovering Ireland with my iPhone

Rock of Dunamase

Rock of Dunamase

Rock of Dunamase

Trim Castle

Bective Abbey

Bective Abbey

Hill of Tara

Lahinch Beach

Cliffs of Moher, Liscannor Side

Hags Head, Cliffs of Moher

Moher Tower, Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher at Hags Head

Poulnabrone Dolmen, The Burren

Ducketts Grove

Ducketts Grove

Ducketts Grove

Great Western Greenway

I cycled the Great Western Greenway a few weekends ago and really enjoyed the whole experience. I had never been to Westport. It is a picturesque and lively town. We rented bikes from Clew Bay bike hire. The lovely Fergal drove us to Achill and we cycled the 42 km back into Westport. If you are relatively fit this cycle is a breeze. Beautiful scenery and friendly interaction with locals and fellow cyclists along the way. Pop into Yvonne's cottage for a scone and tea break.

I must mention a few places in Westport to visit; the Willow Cafe Tea Room. Proper baking and quaint surroundings. The lemon drizzle is the best I have ever had. The Helm at the quays is a must for a pint or if you can get a table for dinner. Thanks to Shane who made our weekend and squeezed us in without a booking. Of the pubs in the town I was in McGings was my favourite. Matt Molloy's is a great spot too, you might be surrounded by numerous hen and stag parties though. Also recommend a visit to the grounds of the beautiful and grand Westport House.

Some of my photos of the stunning Mayo countryside along the Great Western Greenway.

 

© Ruth Maria Murphy 2014

Endless Summer Take Me There

Quack + Dirk SS 2014 Editorial 'Endless Summer Take Me There'

Photographer: Ruth Maria Murphy
Stylist: Deirdre Mahon of Quack + Dirk
Hair and Make Up: Judy Wong and Amy Connolly
Model: Sophia Poltz @ Morgan The Agency
Location: Graphic Studio Gallery & Temple Bar area.

Wilderness

Model: Shane Murphy
Shot in front of Mullaghmore in the Burren, County Clare, Ireland.

© Ruth Maria Murphy 2014

Beautiful Lahinch before the recent storm

I can't believe the devastation in Lahinch from last nights storm in Ireland. I was home visiting just a week ago and walked the prom with my family. It was a wild day but still the beauty shone through. I hope it will be restored in time for summer, it is such a great part of the West and has a big place in my heart. Even though I grew up in Dublin, the north west coast of Clare was my second home and I spent summers in Lahinch.

Please enjoy my recent images of Lahinch taken on Christmas Eve 2013.

 

© Ruth Maria Murphy 2014

Getty Images Contributor

I was invited to be a Getty Images Contributor earlier this year and attended my first Getty Images Creative Workshop.

2013 Professional Photographer of the Year competition

I was shortlisted top 20 in the Street Photography category for the 2013 Professional Photographer of the Year competition with my 'Taking a Break' image taken in New York's meatpacking district!

One Fab Day

One Fab Day a fabulous Irish wedding blog featured Quack + Dirk a vintage boutique in Dublin the other day with photography by me.

http://onefabday.com/quack-and-dirk-irish-boutique/

Beautiful Ireland

The weather in Ireland was great for most of my trip home. It makes such a difference to how you see and enjoy things. There are two places I spend time in every visit, Dublin and County Clare. My dad being from Dublin and my mom from Clare. I grew up between both places. The Burren in Clare has a huge place in my heart, having studied it extensively in school and well growing up around it on my summer holidays, my family are dotted all around North West Clare. We vacationed in a tiny place called Fanore which is nestled in the Burren and very close to Ballyvaughan. Ballyvaughan is one of the most beautiful examples of a quaint Irish village by the sea, it is catered for tourists but still has such a modest charm. Below are some of my images of the coast and unique Burren landscape.

The Burren (Irish: Boireann, meaning "great rock") is a karst-landscape region or alvar in northwest County Clare, in Ireland. It is one of the largest karst landscapes in Europe. The region measures approximately 250 square kilometres and is enclosed roughly within the circle made by the villages Ballyvaughan, Kinvara, Tubber, Corofin, Kilfenora and Lisdoonvarna. It is bounded by the Atlantic and Galway Bay on the west and north, respectively.

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

The Burren

The Burren

The Burren

Flora of the Burren

Flora of the Burren

Mullaghmore in the distance, Ballyvaughan, County Clare

Ballyvaughan

Mullaghmore in the distance, Ballyvaughan, County Clare

Mullaghmore in the distance, Ballyvaughan, County Clare

Lahinch, County Clare

© Ruth Maria Murphy 2013