Posted by Howard Cihak on November 16, 2010 at 1:09 PM
I've been seriously thinking about a 2 week trip to Ireland next Spring. If I go, I'll rent a car and leisurely circumnavigate the country. I'm a serious landscape shooter, and don't mind getting up before dawn to catch the rising sun. With 2 weeks, I figure there'll be time enough to stay put in a desirable location and wait for the best conditions.
I'm an upbeat traveling companion and very easy to get along with. I wouldn't mind having a solitary partner to share the expenses and to talk to. If the idea sounds appealing to you, drop me a line at hjcihak@comcast.net, and I'll send you an e-mail with some photos that get me inspired to make this trip.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on November 16, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Howard, I'd love to walk from my full time job as a product manager for a publicly-owned manufacturing company! But, I don't think Donna will have anything to do with that...
Good luck with your trip - it sounds great!
Posted by Anne K. Rusk on November 17, 2010 at 10:07 AM
I wish I could! I spent 3 months there (during college), but that was before I began persuing photography
I don't know where you're from, but my advice for Americans: remember to go left at the roundabouts!
Posted by Max Waugh on November 17, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Howard, I may be there in the spring, but as part of a belated honeymoon trip I owe my wife. So I don't think I can tag along.
Max
Posted by Greg Lessard on November 19, 2010 at 5:46 PM
Hi Howard,
You might consider a smaller amount of travel while in Ireland. Its small on the map, but Ireland is pretty big and the roads are terrible. Driving from point A to B generally takes 50% longer than it does here in the states. You might prioritize your favorite places and pick 1 or 2 regions. You can certainly circumnavigate Ireland in 2 weeks, but its a lot of moving.
I spent three weeks with stops in Dublin, Kilkenny, Cashel, Killarney, Waterville(Skellig Michael), Dingle, Doolin, Galway, Aran Islands, Clifden, and the Burren.
I found the folks at the frommer's website Ireland forum to be incredibly helpful in planning. If you are in the places that I stopped, my can't miss recommendations are the Rock of Cashel, the Gap of Dunloe, Skellig Michael, Dingle!!!, Aran Islands and Connemara. These places are phenomenal. There are tons of places to photograph. You will have a blast!
You can see some of my favorite photos from Ireland here: http://www.greglessardphotography.com/-/greglessardphotography/gallery.asp?cat=124423&pID=1&row=7
Have your bags packed by tomorrow morning and I'll meet you at the airport! How I wish!
Been there twice: once on a bicycle trip, once on a horse riding trip, but never just for photography. I have SO MANY photos in my mind's eye from both trips. I know you'll have the best time.
Greg gave you some great tips for locations. Ireland definitely has a unique culture to photograph as well, a few major cities well worth travel shots– lots of ancient, ancient history. The climate makes for mystical scenes: around a corner or over a hill is a rain squall or burst of sunshine, parting clouds, mist, and/or rainbow, and a completely fresh scene. 2 weeks? Not enough time, but it will do.
Plan on being wet and cold. It rains almost every day, at least in showers, and sometimes all day. (Very nice, moody photos possible!) No central heating in country homes/B&B's and don't count on it in hotels in towns, either. English is a native language there, but don't plan on understanding it right away. And your vocabulary may end up seeming to be very meager when you get used to listening to Irish people speak and talk with each other. Be CAREFUL driving: the roads are narrow (generally about 1.5 lanes wide, sometimes 0.75 lanes wide); natives drive well but fast; cows and sheep in herds and individually can be on the road any time and anywhere; and everything is backwards from the States. Plan on taking your time. Ya can't rush the sheep or the farmer. Think "LEFT." Be careful as a pedestrian, too. I usually end up being personally escorted across streets by very generous, helpful and kind Irish people after I step into oncoming traffic a few times accidentally. Or someone next to me will say, "Not yet… Not yet… Nope… Okay, now." There are NO road signs in the country! Directions will be given from landmark to landmark by local people. Still, have a map as well as maybe GPS. Enjoy local music! Especially in Doolin and County Galway and any other place (usually in the west) where traditional music is still played by almost everyone.
Well, I could go on… But better not. Just paint me green with envy. And try to get at least another week off. Seriously.
Be sure to post oodles of shots when you get back and share your travel tips. It's been 5 years since I've been there. Way too long a time to be away from such a magical place.
Posted by Howard Cihak on November 21, 2010 at 8:52 AM
Thanks to one and all for the tips and suggestions. To see what has inspired me to want to make the trip, I suggest you take a look at the images in:
www.e-water.net/viewflash.php?flash=irishblessing_en.
I'm still hoping someone will express some interest in joining me for this trip, but so far, no takers.
Discussion
6 repliesI'm an upbeat traveling companion and very easy to get along with. I wouldn't mind having a solitary partner to share the expenses and to talk to. If the idea sounds appealing to you, drop me a line at hjcihak@comcast.net, and I'll send you an e-mail with some photos that get me inspired to make this trip.
Good luck with your trip - it sounds great!
I don't know where you're from, but my advice for Americans: remember to go left at the roundabouts!
Max
You might consider a smaller amount of travel while in Ireland. Its small on the map, but Ireland is pretty big and the roads are terrible. Driving from point A to B generally takes 50% longer than it does here in the states. You might prioritize your favorite places and pick 1 or 2 regions. You can certainly circumnavigate Ireland in 2 weeks, but its a lot of moving.
I spent three weeks with stops in Dublin, Kilkenny, Cashel, Killarney, Waterville(Skellig Michael), Dingle, Doolin, Galway, Aran Islands, Clifden, and the Burren.
I found the folks at the frommer's website Ireland forum to be incredibly helpful in planning. If you are in the places that I stopped, my can't miss recommendations are the Rock of Cashel, the Gap of Dunloe, Skellig Michael, Dingle!!!, Aran Islands and Connemara. These places are phenomenal. There are tons of places to photograph. You will have a blast!
You can see some of my favorite photos from Ireland here: http://www.greglessardphotography.com/-/greglessardphotography/gallery.asp?cat=124423&pID=1&row=7
Been there twice: once on a bicycle trip, once on a horse riding trip, but never just for photography. I have SO MANY photos in my mind's eye from both trips. I know you'll have the best time.
Greg gave you some great tips for locations. Ireland definitely has a unique culture to photograph as well, a few major cities well worth travel shots– lots of ancient, ancient history. The climate makes for mystical scenes: around a corner or over a hill is a rain squall or burst of sunshine, parting clouds, mist, and/or rainbow, and a completely fresh scene. 2 weeks? Not enough time, but it will do.
Plan on being wet and cold. It rains almost every day, at least in showers, and sometimes all day. (Very nice, moody photos possible!) No central heating in country homes/B&B's and don't count on it in hotels in towns, either. English is a native language there, but don't plan on understanding it right away. And your vocabulary may end up seeming to be very meager when you get used to listening to Irish people speak and talk with each other. Be CAREFUL driving: the roads are narrow (generally about 1.5 lanes wide, sometimes 0.75 lanes wide); natives drive well but fast; cows and sheep in herds and individually can be on the road any time and anywhere; and everything is backwards from the States. Plan on taking your time. Ya can't rush the sheep or the farmer. Think "LEFT." Be careful as a pedestrian, too. I usually end up being personally escorted across streets by very generous, helpful and kind Irish people after I step into oncoming traffic a few times accidentally. Or someone next to me will say, "Not yet… Not yet… Nope… Okay, now." There are NO road signs in the country! Directions will be given from landmark to landmark by local people. Still, have a map as well as maybe GPS. Enjoy local music! Especially in Doolin and County Galway and any other place (usually in the west) where traditional music is still played by almost everyone.
Well, I could go on… But better not. Just paint me green with envy. And try to get at least another week off. Seriously.
Be sure to post oodles of shots when you get back and share your travel tips. It's been 5 years since I've been there. Way too long a time to be away from such a magical place.
www.e-water.net/viewflash.php?flash=irishblessing_en.
I'm still hoping someone will express some interest in joining me for this trip, but so far, no takers.