County Clare through the lens
Photographer Robert Bergmann loves the Clare coast, capturing everything from the stark beauty of the cliffs to the unassuming details of its visitors. These images are from his most recent exhibition Where Stone Meets.
This is , in his photos and words.
You’re going to like this.
The cliffs look like the guardians of Ireland, keeping the sea at bay
The are an iconic Irish scene, but they are not often captured in as eerily beautiful a light as they are here. The sun was barely breaking through the clouds and illuminating the mist when I took this.
There’s always time to stop for a sunset
While approaching the Cliffs of Moher from one evening, I had to stop to catch the last of the day’s light. It was getting more and more dramatic by the minute, and it would have been a sin to miss it.
Sunsets on the coast are so beautiful, it's easy to stare for hours
I went for a walk one gorgeous winter day and ended up at the headland Aille Na Sharragh just as the day was ending. The sunset was so arrestingly beautiful that I lost track of time and nearly didn’t make it back before dark, which can sneak up on you in winter.
The waves look so soft you could dive right in. Beware of the rocks though!
I took this photo at , and though many people believe it to be of the rocks you can see from the pier, I actually took it just around those rocks. The texture of the water is the defining factor to me in this photo – the soft smoothness of it radiates out from the image.
Storm plus Burren equals striking scene
Stormy weather seems to draw people outside, the raw intensity of the storm striking an inner chord. In Doolin everyone headed down to the sea to watch a storm’s waves and I snapped away. I love this photo because it looks like a different planet; even the people seem alien.
No ankles were harmed in the making of this photo
I regularly visit Doolin Pier, never without my camera, and one day a car pulled up and out jumped a girl in black high-heeled boots. Off she went across the rocks toward the sea. I reckoned that was the last I would see of her in one piece, but just a little later she came back, as sure-footed as a mountain goat, with both heels still intact.
This shot was 18 months in the making
It took over a year of attempts before the weather permitted me to get this shot at Doonagore Castle. The full moon is only bright enough once every six months to take this shot, and the clouds rarely cooperate. But persistence prevailed.
The rainbow completes the scene
A week of grey skies had me horribly impatient, but finally, the sun broke through. I went straight into the heart of the and set up my tripod while the sky and the light created a perfect panorama opportunity. Just as everything was set up, a massive black cloud blocked the sun. Driven by frustration and a bit of determination, I waited it out, and after a long half hour it all paid off. The cloud shifted, and I even got a rainbow for my troubles.
The money shot: the Dolmen bursting with light
Thank my wife for this picture. One lovely May evening we were on our way back from and she suggested we take the Carron route. The light was effervescent and the way it came through the Poulnabrone Megalithic Tomb, known as the Dolmen, allowed me to capture what is still one of my all time favourite photos.
You can get prints of Robert’s photographs on his website, and see more of his photos of County Clare.
These are really beautiful shots! And the Doolin area and the Doolin pier is one of my favorite places in Ireland! Thanks for these!
What a wonderful perspective. I have been to the Cliffs three times and the Dokmen once and these photos are truly beautiful. Thank you!
Wow! That is all that comes to mind while looking at these pictures! They are fascinating! You are a great photographer!!! Thank you so much for sharing these. Just one more reason I want to visit Ireland!
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING photo’s …my favorite place in the world captured through ur lense! thanks for the quick visit!
Thank you so much for bringing back my most favorite place in Ireland! Brilliantly done!
Stunning. I thought my pictures of the cliffs were pretty good. It was a beautiful, sunny day in June and I questioned who could ask for more. I must say, they are even more hauntingly beautiful in the mist. Thank you for sharing.
I am still kicking myself for missing the cliffs of Moher on my visit. That’s what happens when you don’t watch where you are going. But next time !!!
Breathtakingly beautiful!!!
Can’t wait to return, had a wonderful overnight in Doolin at Doolin View.
Hi … I loaded the url a couple times but the pic from Doolin Point and the waves refuses to load and I would dearly love to see it!
I can’t wait to get back there and stay this time! LOL
Thanks! Rick =)
Thank you all so much for your comments.
…and Rick, you can see all the pictures that have been in the exhibition at
http://www.rfbphotography.eu/exhibitions/2012/
The one I think you mean is picture #20 – Leac an Uisce (Flag of the Water)