We've seen incredible shots of Ireland in the past. But none of them – absolutely none – stack up to this set.
Taken over the course of six weeks, over a gruelling six-week solo journey that clocked up some 2,500km, Raymond Fogarty used drones to capture the western seaboard more comprehensively, more thoroughly and more beautifully than we've ever seen before.
The Tourism Ireland-backed project has since led Raymond to set up his own drone photography business – AirCam Ireland – and we sincerely hope Dublin gets a similar treatment from the team in the near future.
For now, though, check out these images... and be careful you don't hurt your jaw when it hits the floor.
1. The daunting drop at Dún Aonghasa on the Aran Islands, Galway
2. Slea Head in Kerry catching the evening sun
3. Donegal's rugged Melmore Head
4. And the world-famous Burren in Clare
5. The stunning Kerry Cliffs
6. And the Killary Fjord looking pretty damn fjine
7. Tullan Strand in Donegal
8. The steep declines of Downpatrick Head in Mayo
9. And the gentle slopes of Beara in Cork
10. Mullaghmore Head in Sligo
11. And Donegal's Horn Head, which looks like it's actually from a different planet
12. The flat but sweeping landscapes of Black Head in Clare
"I cannot tell you how amazing that trip was. I saw first-hand how stunning the landscape is; how Irish hospitality knows no bounds, and even the weather was good most of the time!"
Raymond Fogarty speaking to Spirit of Ireland magazine
13. And Fanad Lighthouse, which proves that we can do manmade beauty too
14. The appropriately-named Sheep's Head in Cork
15. And the northerly tip of the land, at Malin Head in Donegal
16. Rossguill Peninsula, descending to the Atlantic
17. And the daunting Céide Cliffs of Co Mayo
18. Charles Fort in Cork provides a bit more beauty by the hand of man
19. While Doonamo Point is perfectly untouched
20. The uninhabitable Healy's Island in Clare
21. The gorgeous bright colours of Silver Strand in Mayo
22. And the Cliffs of Moher, known right across the globe, but seldom seen from an angle like this
"For the lucky few, hiring a helicopter delivers rewarding shots – but it's not exactly practical or inexpensive. So the benefit of a drone was hugely attractive – drone photography depicts a new vision of the world with stunning images taken from angles impossible to reach by conventional means."
Raymond Fogarty speaking to Spirit of Ireland magazine
23. The beach on the Great Blasket Island in Kerry
24. And the evacuated island, showing what remains of the old houses there
25. Rossbeigh Strand, looking out towards the west
26. And the Old Head of Kinsale, mere miles from where the Lusitania lies
27. The old lighthouse at Galley Head, Cork
28. And Cork's more bustling Baltimore Harbour
29. The ancient remains of Dún Eochla on the Aran Islands
30. And the stunning, sandy Dog's Bay in Galway
31. The Geokaun Viewpoint, which lives up to its name
32. And Barley Cove, with turquoise waters that could be mistaken for a tropical island
33. Sunset over Carrowniskey Beach, Mayo
34. And the sun setting over Rinville Park, in Galway
Thanks to Raymond Fogarty for all of the above images.
AirCam Ireland provide aerial drone photography and videography for travel, tourism, business, real estate and – most interestingly of all – weddings. To check out the services, and their previous work, you can visit their website here.
