Slieve Croob, Dromara, Co. Down

As I am a County Down native I decided it was about time I went to see what my home county had to offer. I started off heading to Slieve Croob which is situated in Dromara. According to some friends apart from lovely scenery and fresh air this place has been known for its nocturnal activities. Not purturbed I headed up this hill. The path from the car park on Dree Hill only takes 45 minutes to climb but for the scenery it is more than worth it. Im sure you'll agree, the Mourne Mountains in the background are a lovely backdrop.



Ice along the main path


Antenna at the summit


View across the Mournes

Enniskillen Photography Lough Erne

I was up in Enniskillen... again and managed to catch some photos of the castle and of the sunset hope you enjoy.


Enniskillen Castle


Enniskillen Skyline

Co. Sligo, Knocknarea and Rosses Point

Sligo is situated on the West Coast of Ireland and as a backdrop there are many of the most scenic places in Connaught and Ulster. The first place I visited was Rosses Point. This place can be accessed just before heading into Sligo Town from the Donegal side. The scenery here is spectacular. A statue has been setup to mark the long history of seafarers who never returned back from sea.


The Statue at Rosses Point

Further on round the coast is Knocknarea. Knocknarea is a hill on which a tomb has been placed of Queen Maeve. From the top of Knocknarea views can be seen from Mayo, Strandhill and Donegal. It is clear to see why so many people spend time in Sligo.



All in all I have grown to love Sligo. I spent much time working here and the people are lovely! Thanks to Mr Feeney for introducing me to the delights of having a Cream Cracker with your Cup of tea.

I have also included photos of Carrowmore tombs


Carrowmore Tombs


At low tide it is possible to drive to Coney Island


The rock in the bottom left has been in this field for many years. In tradition, women are put through the hole in it backwards and it is said that if this is done they will be married within a year. It is off the main road towards Knocknarea

County Kilkenny, Jerpoint Abbey, OPW

For any of those interested in Irelands Christian ancestory, this abbey is an important place to visit. The abbey was built in the 12th century by Donal MacGillapatrick for the Benedictine monks.

On the inside of the abbey grave stones carved as past monks can be seen. If your ever near Thomastown in Kilkenny, give this place a look.


View taken inside the abbey ruins

A gravestone on the outside of the abbey

An old grave cover. Looks like a monk outline on top of it


Another view inside the abbey

Cuilcagh Mountain Park, Co. Fermanagh

For anyone who has been to County Fermanagh it is hard to escape the backdrop of Cuilcagh mountains. These mountains are set on the border between County Fermanagh and County Cavan, with the border running across the mountains summit. For a day trip I decided to take a walk to the summit to see what all the fuss was about.

The walk towards the summit on the Fermanagh side has been gravel pathed up to a point about 3 miles from the carpark at Marlbank. The walking is fairly easy with a few inclines along the way. However past the gravelled point things become a little bit trickier. The path soon turns to floating marsh for a mile and a half with some steep inclines. The path has been marked out across the marsh using posts with the walker following from post to post. The hardest bit of this walk has to be the final incline towards the summit. At times it was necessary to crawl as you approached step like features in the mountain side.

Getting to the summit felt like an acheivement and for people new to hill climbing this would be a great place to start. If you feel at any point in the walk it is becoming too much you simply turn back and head back to the car. Below are some photos of the summit and I highly recommend this place to anyone!


A view looking down from Cuilcagh


The edge of Cuilcagh from the incline to the summit


The floating bog just before the final incline

Natonal Trust - Florencecourt, County Fermanagh

Flourencecourt is set to the South West of County Fermanagh. It is backdropped by the Cuilcagh mountain range. There is a house situated on the grounds of the Florencecourt estate which was built in the 17th century.


Florencecourt House

As this property is owned by the National Trust it has been very well maintained and there are often events taking place to keep both adult and child amused. When I came to Florencecourt there was a honey festival and falconry taking place. There are walks to suit all types. The forest surrounding the house has been pathed and signposted for keen walkers. Whereas for those lumbering kids there are spectatular views and short gravel paths leading round the house. I really enjoyed this place and some of the scenery such as the Walled Garden where quite stunning.

More information can be found here


One of the huts featured in the gardens


The view from inside the hut


Butterfly seen in the Walled Gardens

A very tame baby robin in the Walled Garden

Archive of my Photography so far

For those of you interested to see some of my other work, it can be viewed at UKExpert.

The URL for my work is http://www.ukexpert.co.uk/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1050