Gareth Wray Photography

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Gareth Wray Photography

A landscape photographer with a love for Irish landscapes. I aim to capture Ireland's hidden beauty Im a landscape photographer with a love for Irish landscapes.

Through my work I aim to find Ireland's hidden beauty & share it with the rest of the world

31/05/2026

“The Sky Palette of Boyeeghter Bay” 🎨

Boyeeghter Bay or Murder Hole Beach, Rosguill Peninsula, Melmore, Downings, County Donegal, Ireland

Whilst capturing this photo during sunset, the sky coloured in ways which may only happen a few times per year. It started as amber, red then changed to a lighter violet colour in which I loved most. This soft light, pastel colours and tones reflecting off the ocean’s surface looked so mesmerising to watch.

Everything seemed very soothing and relaxed compared to previous stormy images I’ve captured here, which gave off a more powerful vibe. It’s fascinating how much the motions of the sea and colours of light from the sun can transform our perspectives on the landscape around us.

This must be one of the most stunningly beautiful beaches you could ever set eyes on. It may have the most uninviting name you’ve ever heard off but always remember you should “never judge a book by its cover” 💜

17/05/2026

‘Tullagh Bay Beach’

Tullagh Bay, Dunaff - Clonmany, Inishowen, County Donegal, Ireland

Seated far north on the Inishowen Peninsula & well away from modern distractions can be found the horseshoe cove of Tullagh Bay. This tranquil beach with its golden sand rests at the foot of Binnion Hill. In the distance can be seen views of The Isle of Doagh & Five Finger Strand of Malin Head 💚

16/05/2026

“Bluebells - The Flower of May”

The month of May as we all know is “Bluebell Season”. Around this time each year many people rush to witness these stunning little flowers in colourful blossom, before they dwindle away for another year.

Bluebells often grow in ancient woodland environments as these are their preferred habitat. In these woodlands they often grow in their thousands, carpeting entire woods in royal blue and violet colours. Looking at these ancient environments, it’s easy to see where C.S. Lewis found the inspiration to pen the mythical land of Narnia 💙

03/05/2026

“When The Currach’s Rowed Away”

Inishsirrer Island, Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland

Just beyond these restless waters, silently resting offshore northwest Donegal can be found the small island settlement of Inishsirrer. Once a thriving fishing community, today this island is sadly uninhabited. All that remains is a little ‘Ghost Town’ with its abandoned cottages, dry stone walls and harbour all echoing its once bustling past.

Several factors contributed to its overall abandonment. Mainly because the younger generations were either hired out to work, married off or sent further away to Scotland seeking work. The remaining elderly who lived off the land where unable to resume the hard life of fishing alone, so they re-homed on the mainland. Their well ran dry... so to speak.

Unfortunately for them, their little boats called ‘Currahs’ made from wood and cowhide could not carry much weight. This resulted in families having to leave all their heavy possessions and furniture behind. The homes on this island were left as they were, that day when the last residents of Inishsirrer rowed their currach boats away for the last time....

One can't help but feel a strong sense of admiration towards this once hard-working community during the good times that have now long passed. Dancing across the waves could once be heard the sounds of dogs barking, chickens cooing, children laughing, fishermen singing now forgotten songs beneath squalling seagulls fighting for leftover fish from the daily catch. In the evening the crackling sounds and the smell of freshly lit turf fires from each cottage could be sensed from everywhere on this isle.

Nowadays these are mere echoes from the past, deep silence is all that comes from Inishsirrer anymore…... I hope these tales will never be forgotten and be passed down our generations through our stories, paintings and photography 📖

01/05/2026

‘Highland Cows of Donegal’

Fanad Head Peninsula, County Donegal, Ireland

Sometimes I get the feeling that no matter where in Ireland I travel to capture photos….. I’m being carefully watched 👀 Followed by cows, sheep, goats & birds has become the norm for me, so I just embrace it and capture images of when it happens.

I loved observing these gentle hairy cows from a slight height, as it allowed their reflections to mirror on the pond in front of them. What an amazing place for these creatures to peacefully live. A few meters behind them is the Atlantic Ocean with a small beach and in their grassy pasture is a freshwater pond for them to drink from.

These cows have it very lucky and it’s a credit to their farmer for looking after them so well, especially for brushing their hair and keeping it perfectly clean & detangled 🐮

28/04/2026

The Seals of Ballyness 🦭

Ballyness Bay, Falcarragh, County Donegal, Ireland

Ireland’s weather has been absolutely glorious lately, so I set out to find a colony of seals I captured images of a couple of years ago. Luckily on my arrival to the bay, I could see a few small black dots on a sand embankment in the distance. I knew it was the seals! so set up my equipment and with zoom lenses observed these gentle “sea dogs” from a far distance not to disturb them.

A family of 8 seals were sunbathing with not a care in the world, just the way it should be. I love how seals carve their own little paths into the sand when they move. They also use them like slides to slip into the water and also for coming back onto land. I think on them as “seal slides” 🛝. I only wish I could have a day off to join these guys sunbathing and playing on slides 😅

27/03/2026

“Atlantic Horses Galloping Landward” 🌊

Classiebawn Castle, Mullaghmore, County Sligo, Ireland

I love the sheer energy created from a storm at sea. Giant turquoise waves rush in landwards, like magnificent galloping horses with their vibrant white manes blowing in the gale wind. The sound of the oceans roar is unique and unforgettable.

It resonates with something deep inside you which always seems to have been there, hidden away throughout life. There's just something about experiencing the sensations of powerful waves crashing upon our shore. So loud and powerful yet contradictory, so calm and soothing all at the same time. Something you have to experience in person to fully understand natures sensations…..

In the background can be seen Classiebawn Castle. Classiebawn is a Baronial style country house built in 1874. Nowadays the surrounding 7000-acre estate is mainly used as grazing pastures for sheep & cattle. Seated perfectly on a hilltop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and nestled in the shadow Benbulben mountain. The initial architects and builders sure nailed the perfect spot to build a stunning castle that would mesmerise onlookers for centuries afterwards 🏰

17/03/2026

☘️ Happy St Patrick's Day Folks 💚

“The Trails of Ireland's Banished Snakes”

Ards Forest Park Salt Marsh, Creeslough, Sheephaven Bay, County Donegal, Ireland

Legend states that Saint Patrick banished all the snakes out of Ireland with his magical staff long ago. Most folk don’t believe this story which is understandable by reasoning of modern science…. However, what if there was some potential proof? Well maybe there is! hidden right under our noses in plain sight all this time 👀

Here on Sheephaven Bay you can see how river estuaries slowly carved their way into this salt marsh on their winding paths out to sea. But for today only, let’s have a little fun and imagine that these are instead the actual tracks and scars on our landscape at the very point where Saint Patrick chased all the snakes out of Ireland 🐍

Just imagine thousands of them all in rows slithering and carving their tracks into this landscape. All being commanded outwards onto the distant sandy shore before finally entering the sea, banished forever from Irish soil.....

Obviously my tales a little bit of craic on this symbolic day, but let’s be honest as who really knows what really happened over a thousand years ago? So enjoy today and let your imaginations run wild 😊

☘️🥂 Sláinte to all my family & friends! Happy St. Patrick's Day 2026 folks 🍻💚

11/03/2026

“High Tide Upon The Murder Hole”

Boyeeghter Bay or Murder Hole Beach, Rosguill Peninsula, Melmore, Downings, County Donegal, Ireland

Don’t be fooled by its unpleasing nickname because this beach is a true Irish gem. There is no road access, and it involves a long hike over a few hills to reach but trust me it’s worth it 🙏

This must be one of the most stunningly beautiful beaches you could ever set eyes on. It may have the most uninviting name you’ve ever heard off but always remember you should “never judge a book by its cover”. This beach is getting prettier by the day especially during stormy conditions like these 🌊

08/03/2026

‘Sheskinmore Bay Sand Dunes’

Ballinreavy Dunes, Sheskinmore Bay, Ardara, County Donegal, Ireland

With no leading signposts and hidden miles off road along Donegal’s western shore, exists this nature reserve on Sheskinmore Bay.

I’ve travelled to many obscure locations throughout Ireland, and this strand is one of the most pristine by far. It has sand dunes near 100ft high with shallow crystal waters along miles of sandy shore as far as the eye can see. I strolled along this beach for ages, yet not another soul did I meet.

Many people throughout the world seem to have a misconception that Ireland is beautiful simply for its "40 shades of green" but in fact Ireland has so much more than green! with its versatile landscapes ranging from green pastures, lakes, sandy beaches, forests, mountains & sand dunes like these, that could only be matched by those found in the Sahara Desert. We have it all right here 💚

Sometimes you only need to look beyond those stunning “40 shades of green” to discover the rest of Ireland’s hidden beauty….

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