Nightfall

Nightfall over farmland in my little neck of the woods - that's Blainroe, County Wicklow.

Tree View

The view from the headland overlooking Magheramore Beach near Blainroe, County Wicklow.

Next Stop Summer

Back on our favourite Magheramore Beach near Blainroe, County Wicklow on a beautful sunny late afternoon and it's obvious that summer's just round the corner!

Mist Over Maghermore

Looking down on misty Maghermore Beach, near Blainroe Co Wicklow, yesterday afternoon, it was hard to believe that 100 metres west we had a cloudless sky and gorgeous sunshine.

That Elusive Wave

Surfers searching for that elusive wave at Magheramore Beach on a stormy Friday last.  Well, it didn't happen during the 30 minutes or so while I was there - maybe not the ideal location?

Blight On The Horizon?

This is the southeast view from the beautiful Magheramore Beach showing four offshore wind turbines on the horizon.  Blight or not, the Arklow Bank Wind Park is located on a shallow sandbank some 10 kilometres off the coast of Arklow, Co Wicklow and consists of 7 GE Energy 3.6 megawatt turbines.  Obviously visible on all but the dreariest of days, this is the only offshore windfarm of it's kind, so far, along the east coast.  I wonder what the tourists think?

The Colours Of Magheramore

Magheramore Beach, near Blainroe, Co Wicklow has much to recommend especially when, as high tide recedes, the colours at the edge of the dunes reveal themselves.

Foamy

 A freezing cold Friday last on Maghermore Beach near Blainroe, Co Wicklow and this is a strange sight - foam on the beach!  According to Wikipedia, it's caused by the agitation of seawater, particularly when it contains higher concentrations of dissolved organic matter derived from sources such as the offshore breakdown of algal blooms. Well there we are then!

On The Beach

Back on familiar ground after the Christmas break in Dublin, here is the small beach at Blainroe Golf Club. It goes without saying that access is somewhat restricted!

Par For The Course

We've just experienced the worst winter weather since records began and and we really can't cope.  We rarely have snow in these parts never mind the deluge we've had over these past weeks together with Siberian low temperatures .  All over east Leinster major roads are still treacherous to negotiate and minor roads are almost impassable. So, maybe, in the future, we have to learn some things from our eastern European neighbours who would regard this kind of weather as par for the course.

Closing In

Record low temperatures around these parts: -14C in Aughrim, Co Wicklow last night and snowing
again here in Blainroe this morning - one minute this scene above and next, the snow closes in.

Bleak Outlook

Heavy snow again here this morning in Blainroe, Co Wicklow  and on and off throughout the day.  Nothing to do but walk about shooting everything in sight!  Temperatures are set to drop to -10 celcius.  Yes,  it's a bleak outlook.

Winter Studies

Heavy snow again this morning and road conditions are treacherous - the council doesn't grit the roads this far out of Wicklow Town to Blainroe.  So we're confined to barracks and have to be content with photos of the local countryside.  But this leaves plenty of time for experimentation with Photoshop.  These shots were taken through an open window in the sitting room.

No Golf Today

Sun, sea and golf - what more could one ask for?  Well certainly not snow, but that's what we've got today and maybe for the next week so, no golf at Blainroe Golf Club, Co Wicklow.

Deserted Beaches Of The Heart

What is it about Wicklow's deserted beaches? Even on last Sunday, which was a beautiful warm sunny day, we checked out four different beaches, and with the exception of Brittas Bay, all were deserted.  This is Maghermore Beach near Blainroe, Co Wicklow, probably my favourite, which, you will remember, we visited a short while back, and today there's not a surfer in site!  At least, this fellow on the left racing through the surf, knows how to enjoy himself.

Maghermore Beach

Another day, another beach and today it's Maghermore Beach which is about six miles along the coast road south of Wicklow Town, just past Blainroe Golf Club.  You have to park on the road and walk for 7 minutes or so along a rough track and take the steps down to what is a beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear and shallow water sheltered by steep cliffs.  A family-friendly beach with safe swimming.

Maghermore is popular with surfers and offers some of the best surfing along the East Coast, which isn't saying a lot because the real surfing is on the West Coast!  It's probably best during the winter months, in a big wind!