I recently visited Donegal as part of a trip arranged by Bernard Geraghty . While I was expecting a road trip around some of the more common sites including Mount Errigal and Poison Glen, instead we started the evening at Bloody Foreland, and then started off again the following morning at 04:30 to catch the morning light at Fanad Lighthouse, this followed a brief lunch and then another trip to Temple Arch and a friendly donkey.
Bloody Foreland
One would be forgiven for thinking that Cnoc Fola, (Bloody Foreland) in north-west corner of county Donegal is named after some historic battle ground especially when local legend tells the tale of “Balor of the Evil Eye” was eventually slain by his grandson, Lugh Lámh Fhada on the slopes of Cnoc Fola. that legend goes on to say that the tide of blood which flowed from Balor’s evil eye stained the hillside and gave it its name. more probable is that it is actually named after the intense red hue of the rocks by sunset. Personally I rather the legend.
Fanad Lighthouse
Fanad derives its name from the Irish language word Fána for “sloping ground”. It is also referred to as Fannet or Fannett in older records. The landscape of Fanad has been shaped by geological processes which include the effects of periodic covering with ice sheets and glaciers as recently as 14,000 years ago. The retreat of the ice sheet had a major impact on Fanad and surrounding areas. It is speculated that much of Lough Swilly was may have been dry land which was flooded due to a rise in sea level within the last 10,000 years. Mulroy Bay may have been similarly formed at this time.
it is also home to Fanad Lighthouse, voted one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world. I’ll have a hard time disagreeing with that while I stood on the rock outcroppings watching the waves crash as the morning sun lit up the exterior surface of the building.
Temple Arch
Temple Arch, or as its more commonly referred to Marble Arch, is a 20 meter limestone arch located is a short drive and hike from Dunfanaghy on Horn head. The spot itself is hard to find and there is no parking at the location. The farmer who owns the land is extremely accommodating, but please remember to leave no trace if you visit, what ever you bring with you comes back with you.
A number of the images above were made using Neutral Density filters, I would usually use Conkin filters, Bernard was kind enough to loan me some of his Formatt Hitech ND filters and I will say there’s a world of difference. Also don’t be afraid of of pumping up the ISO on a shot, some of mine were shot at ISO 1000. the advances in tech and noise reduction AI will be able to handle it all in post production.