Day 3

Ross Castle, built in XVth century was the last stronghold under Irish control to be taken by the Cromwellian forces in 1653, and the Lough Leane lake.

A story behind: I woke up very early in the morning. It was so early that I had to wake a man at the reception desk to let me out of the hotel. The sky was still 100% covered with a gray clouds skimming the peaks of the Ring of Kerry mountains. I packed my gear and rushed looking for a photographic adventure.
I drove to Killarney National Park again. Empty roads, occasionally some animals spotted, brisk weather. It was cold and the air was thin. But pictures were great.
I got back to hotel, had a breakfast and then we had a nice stroll at the hotel´s small but pretty gardens.
Later that morning we headed south to a small town of Bantry. The road let up through the wonderful Caba mountains and the Moll´s gap and then down to a wide valley and bay of Bantry. We stopped at the famous Druid´s view to admire the muscular mountains and green valleys and visited the hand-made chocolate family-run factory. It was a glorious day.
The town of Bantry was a little disappointing so we pressed on back home through the Shehy hills.
On our way back home we stopped the the Ross Castle in Killarney. The place was packed with people, school trips and pony and trap rides. Thanks God I have been here early morning and managed to take some photos undisturbed.
We had a short rest at the spa and then a dinner at the hotel´s restaurant ( very nice sea food chowder, African spice meat bolls, cod and salmon ) with an Australian wine.

Location: Ross Castle, Killarney, Ireland.

Gear: Nikon D80, Sigma 10/20 mm, ND 0.3 hard, tripod.

Aperture: f/13

Shutter speed: 1/2 sec

Focal Length: 15 mm

ISO: 300

Date Taken: July 13th, 2009, 06:29

Maciek.