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

26/07/2026

"The Bay of Gold and Amethyst"

Doe Castle of Sheephaven Bay, Creeslough, County Donegal, Ireland

Doe Castle is one of Donegal’s most picturesque compete castles. It’s incredible to see this castle in such wonderful condition today. It was constructed in 1420 as a stronghold for the MacSweeney Clan, making it over 600 years old!

From this castle the Mac-Sweeneys Clan ruled the areas of Rosguill (now Downing's & Carrigart) Doe (now Creeslough & Dunfanaghy), Cloughaneely (now Falcarragh) and Tory Island, from the Castle for over 200 years until 1603 when Rory O Donnell ‘The Earl of Tyrconnell’ seized it from the MacSweeney family. It had since crossed many hands over the years. These walls could certainly tell many a story that’s for sure….

During low tide I love how these waters from local rivers slow near the end of their long mountainous journeys. Gently carving their way through these sand embankments they create the most beautiful curves & bends, before finally flowing into Sheephaven Bay.

During a vibrant sunset or sunrise these colours reflect off the surface, creating the illusion that rivers of molten Gold & Amethyst are slowly flowing outwards to cool off in the Atlantic Ocean beyond 💜

14/07/2026

El Galeón Andalucía & Errigal Mountain

Mullaghderg Bay overlooking Errigal, Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland

Today offered a once in a lifetime opportunity for folk to witness something so beautiful and unusual, that my words or photo may not serve it the justice it truly deserves.

The largest Spanish Armada replica Galleon ship in the world the El Galeón Andalucía sailed into the waters of Gweedore in Donegal. The last time a Galleon like this was sighted in these waters was over four centuries ago in 1588. Local history records, that a Spanish Armada vessel ran aground on rocks in Mullaghderg Bay in 1588.

This morning members of crew upon the El Galeón Andalucía proudly laid a wreath to honour the many sailors lost on this Donegal coast. As a final farewell the galleon let off a cannon salute! Which could be heard for miles all around.

I watched from a few miles away as this magnificent Galleon crossed in front of Errigal then slowly sailed out into the vast Atlantic Ocean, before finally vanishing on the horizon. Maybe this is the last time a Spanish Armada Ship will grace these waters. Easily the best few hours Ive ever spent on the shores of Donegal. Magical, emotional & unforgettable….. ⚓️

19/06/2026

‘Lough Salt Highlands’

Lough Greenan & Lough Salt, Glen, County Donegal, Ireland

Lough Salt Drive elegantly carves its way through these stunning hills & boglands. An ancient trail (nowadays a road) which runs through this ancient, glaciated landscape.

Lough Salt Mountain can be seen towering over Lough Salt below. This lake is actually a glaciated mountain tarn, which is supposedly the deepest in Ireland. Local legend states, that it is as deep as the mountain is high!

Below Lough Salt is Lough Greenan surrounded by peat boglands. If you look closely, you can see the freshly cut rows of turf. Due to the warm summer air, the smell of drying turf could be sensed for miles around. In my personal opinion, one of the best smells in 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 😅

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