Top 5 Landscape Photography Locations in Connemara Ireland
Connemara is a region located on the West of Ireland and is home to many stunning spots to take a landscape image.
If you fancy shooting quaint cottages, lakes, mountains and even seascapes then Connemara is for you. This blog will be short and to the point. I will give my top 5 locations for images in Connemara, when to shoot them and a pin drop for each location. Important to note, if you are visting during summer, then bring the midge net. They are pretty bad! In no particular order:
Number 1: Pine Island
This iconic spot is so easy to access that odds are you won’t be alone on a weekend here. Best time to photograph it is at sunrise with little to no wind. You will more than likely get reflections and mist on the lake. The sun will rise to the right hand side, keeping it out of frame. Equally in the late afternoon/evening, you will get nice sidelight before the sun dips behind the mountains. Parking is located here and you literally walk 50 meters to the shooting spot.
Number 2: Inagh Valley
A drive through the Inagh Valley is always worth it. Best time to shoot this location is spring when winds tend to be calmer and mornings clearer. The best photography spot is a view of the Inagh Valley boat shed which I tend to shoot at both sunrise or sunset depending on the time of year. A wide angle lens will capture the full arc of the lake but its also worth a shot if you want to hone in on the shed and use a longer focal length. Park here and walk back the road a bit, stepping down into the lake shore itself. Be mindful as the ground can be steep and uneven.
Sunrise shot
Number 3: Fishing hut near Rosmuck
You hardly thought I was just going to give you the obvious locations? This next one is a hidden gem and unless you purposely go looking for it or have been given the pin drop, then it’s unlikely you’ll find it. However it is a great spot to shoot sunset. Sunrise is great here too along with some nice dark skies for astrophotography if you fancy it! Parking available here and then walk down through the barrier to the fishing hut. I recommend a wide angle lens for this one
Sunset during April
Number 4: The Screebe Cottage
Alongside Pine Island, this is possibly the second most photographed location in Connemara. It is easy access and easy shoot. I usually don’t go near this spot if it is windy. If you can get it on a calm morning the reflections and mist can be stunning, especially during the blue hour. At sunset it is also lovely with the sun setting over your right shoulder, making it an easy image to shoot. Parking here, walk through the timber gate (always shut the gate after you) and head down to the cottage. Bear in mind, this is part of the Screebe Fishery so permissions might have changed in recent times but I have never seen a notice for private property here. Just remember to close the gate.
Shot during the blue hour on a perfect april morning
Number 5: Ballynahinch Huts
Again, more fishing huts but this is one of my favourite spots to shoot astrophotography. Located just up the road from Pine Island, there is a large layby located here for parking. Walk up the road a tiny bit and down a pathway to the fishing hut. In summer, there is often a boat here. Jetties are dotted around the hut which make for great leading lines. Be careful walking around the lake, there are some bog holes! Best shot at sunrise from the opposite end of the lake looking back east.
Honestly, I could of included so many different areas in this post but I chose these due to their easy access and value for time when it comes to shooting. I do have one or two other spots I like however they are quite tricky to get to and well, if I gave away all the secrets then what would fun would it be?!
Hope this helps and let me know in the comments below if you’ve shot these locations!
A pano from location number 3!