Hidden Gems in Irelands rockpools? - a new book of Irish landscapes

Ireland is renowned for it's magnificent landscapes being blessed with a diversity not many countries can equal, but having just picked up Daragh Muldowney’s beautiful new book even I have had to do a double take.

Called "Jewellery Box - Irelands Hidden Gems" (I wish I could have taken credit for it) but am more than happy to endorse his excellent work.

Daragh spotted something (under his feet) no one else did and had the creative genius to expose it, in this wonderful selection of images.

Inspired by Dulra (Irish for the natural elements) he spent the last summer exploring the miniature landscapes of Ireland's coastal rock pools. Getting up close and personal with these tiny universes, that are surprisingly teeming with life, prompted a deeper introspection, apprectiation and respect for nature in Daragh that he now stirs in us...

_____________________

Read more:

Ireland on the cheap - ten ways to save money in the Emerald Isle 

The weird and wonderful place names around Ireland

Forget speed-dating meet your perfect Irish mate on a hike up Croagh Patrick

Top ten interesting facts about Ireland’s capital, Dublin city - PHOTOS
_____________________


The results are spectacular and the digital imagery surreal at times, like the image above (my favorite) entitled ‘Inner Peace’, two pieces of random floating oarweed that could be a resin sculpture yet hint of much, much more... 'Rusty Contours' a fusion of lichen and algae, mirror the hand painted Chinese wall papers of Ireland great houses, while Picasso’s Eyes speak for themselves. Most telling perhaps the 'Origin of the Species' a back lit jellyfish in a froth of air bubbles, smacks of the big bang...

Michael Viney, Ireland’s most eminent naturalist wrote the forward (an accolade in itself) in which he, so eloquently, applauds the young self-taught Daragh's artistic eye in capturing more than just images but also the connection between man and nature that has existed since the time of cave paintings right up to and including the mad digital age we live in, when its often all too. There is no space or distance from which to view or marvel at nature in the way we might have once done as carefree children splashing about in rock pools.

This book is a rare opportunity to do just that, view the world with fresh eyes, Picasso Eyes...

For more information visit http://www.dulraphotography.com/

By Susan Byron author of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

9/11-- how the Irish are remembering the 10th anniversary

While people all over the world are certainly mindful of the terrible tragedy that occurred on that sunny September morning in New York City, the Irish have a special interest in paying their respects it seems, as the Ground Zero 360 exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts and History in Dublin is seeing huge footfall since it opened on August 18th.

Poignant reminders of that fateful day, forever etched in our lives, are portrayed in Nicola McClean’s haunting panoramic photographs.

Clear evidence of our long history of emigration to the U.S. is there to be seen on the roster of Rescue 2, FDNY, Brooklyn which lost 7 men that day including an M O’Rourke and the many, many others who died that day. Whether they were worked in the World Trade Centre or were ‘just doing their job’ in the Emergency Services, as many of their heart broken comrades have commented since.

There is not an Irishman or woman alive today that doesn’t remember where they were when the news of the terrible tragedy started to unfold, I was collecting my children from school and immediately went to light candles in the local church.

Ireland lived through the agonised wait for news of survivors that didn't come and an incredible sadness hung like that pall of smoke from the towers, all over Ireland. I visited Ground Zero a couple of years later and tears just streamed down my face like many others around me, visiting the St Paul's Trinity Church (miraculously untouched) and learning about the efforts of all those involved in the aftermath was a humbling yet reassuring experience of the man’s humanity to man when it’s needed.

Which is what makes people great and nations great, that will to survive, rebuild and prosper, the Irish wish America well on that journey.

Click here for more information about the Ground Zero 360 Exhibition visit

Susan Byron author of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com