Sea Arch Donegal

We were  up in Donegal for the Gweedore trad week which is a fabulous week of workshops,concerts and sessions. The paucity of light and the dreariness of the midwinter afflicts the photographer  but the musicians and session-goers don' t seem to be bothered by that !

    So despite the mostly inclement weather I did get out with the camera one or two days and managed to get to the Breeches near Dungloe the day before New Year's Eve .I've  been here a few times before, today was the least stormy  so far ,though it's heart-in-your- mouth  time when you hear the sea suddenly hiss and swell while you' re perched on a boulder with a tripod trying to eye the wonderful Na Brístí sea arch ! Such a primeval place, the relentless power of the sea pounding along the coastline. Even getting down the cliff path and back up again can be challenging to say the least, especially in winter as you slither unceremoniously along  the rocks at times.

Light fading pretty quickly, this  ten stop exposure was taking 4 minutes, while the tide was encroaching fast over the rocks. I didnt hang about too long as the spray was also beginning to swill about .Ascending to the safety of the cliffs above the rocks was a better option !

  And by the way,New Years Eve was a thrilling affair in Gweedore GAA Club where Dervish belted out the tunes while  the patrons  thundered on the dancefloor with wild abandon. We got out alive around 1am. Met an English chap over breakfast in the BnB the next day who didn’t get home till 5am from Teach Leo's!

The Breeches, Donegal .