Luggala Revisited

Today it's Saturday, Panoramic Saturday, so here's a reworked  wide view over Luggala Mountain.

Greener

Continuing our visit to Dublin's St Stephen's Green we take in this view of the pond.

All Green

Today we take a little foray into the centre of Dublin for this mostly green shot in beautiful St Stephen's Green.

Luggala Mountain

Pictured on a recent trip to the Sally Gap, County Wicklow, this is Luggala Mountain with the grounds of Luggala Lodge below.

Lough Tay

The scenic and dark Lough Tay set between the mountains of Luggala and Djouce is a vista which we have pictured several times but one which is always a delight to return to. The startlingly white sand of the beach which forms the northern coastline marks one of the boundaries of the Luggala Estate belonging to the Guinness family.

Cloghogue Valley

A few days ago, we toured around the Wicklow Mountains in the area of the Sally Gap and, passing Luggala, we just couldn't resist this view over the Cloghogue Valley with Lough Dan in the distance.

Making Waves

Yesterday, Sunday, a wild and windy day as we headed for the Wicklow Mountains.  Just outside Roundwood we passed the Vartry Reservoir as the wind whipped up the water.

The Other Side Of Town

Every town has an 'other side' and Wicklow Town is no different, with this view of an area of light industry situated on it's northern edge and sitting alongside the nature reserve of The Murrough wetlands, in the background, which itself stretches a further 15 kms to the north.

Take Off And Landing

The Greylag Goose provides plenty of entertainment as he criss-crosses the lake at the Arklow Nature Reserve in search of food.

On The Daisy Carpet

Today, we're back in Arklow Nature Reserve to see the Greylag Goose in action on the daisy carpet.

Duck Studies

Another of our favourite places is the Nature Reserve in Arklow, Co Wicklow and today we observe some of the many ducks who populate this lovely spot.

Upper Vartry Reservoir

Today we're at the Upper Vartry Reservoir, near Roundwood, County Wicklow and you can fish here for brown trout, should you have the required fishing permit.

A Question Of Balance

A moorhen standing one-legged on a piece of wood among the reeds at Arklow Nature Reserve.

40 Shades Of Green

Travelling round Knockree Hill heading for Enniskerry, County Wicklow, we see the woods of the beautiful Glencree Valley and their myriad varieties of trees in various stages of bloom.

Thomas Moore In Avoca

Thomas Moore (28 May 1779 – 25 February 1852) was an Irish poet, singer, songwriter, and entertainer, now best remembered for the lyrics of The Minstrel Boy and The Last Rose of Summer, immortalised the vale of Avoca with his poem The Meeting Of The Waters and this is commemorated by the memorial located there, which we featured yesterday.

"There is not in this wide world a valley so sweet
         As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet!
Oh the last rays of feeling and life must depart
         Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart"

Thomas Moore

The Meeting Of The Waters

This is the local beauty spot in the Vale Of Avoca where the rivers Avonmore and Avonbeg meet and, from there, become the Avoca River which flows into Arklow, Co Wicklow.  The Meeting Of The Waters is immortalised in the poem of the same name written by Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852).

Between The Fens And The Sea

This scene at Birdwatch Ireland's East Coast Nature Reserve at Blackditch near Newcastle is brought about by controlled shallow flooding of coastal grassland fields during the winter months and is a magnet to wading birds.  Low intensity cattle grazing in the summer months keep the grassland in suitable condition for wintering geese and swans.

Fen Life

Today we're again at misty Five Mile Point, near Newcastle, Co Wicklow, the southern end of Birdwatch Ireland's East Coast Nature Reserve as we observe this Mute Swan in the distance.

The East Coast Nature Reserve at Blackditch Wood, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow is an important refuge for wetland plants and birds. There are three main habitats on the reserve: calcareous fen (a rare type of bog), grassland and woodland. The fen, located at Five Mile Point, is the most important habitat for rare flora, whilst the grasslands and pools provide crucial nesting and feeding areas for birds.

Mist On The Fens

This is an area of fen at Five Mile Point, near Newcastle, Co Wicklow, part of the Murrough Wetlands and today a mist descends adding to the magic of the scene.

A Wetlands Ruin

A ruin lying between the railway line and the Murrough Wetlands at Six Mile Point near Newcastle, Co Wicklow.  This part of The Wetlands, between Six Mile Point and Five Mile Point, a little further south, is the site of BirdWatch Ireland's East Course Nature Reserve at Blackditch Wood.