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snapshot
Ireland from above: 12 jaw-dropping aerial shots from photographer Darren Houlihan
Take a trip around the country without leaving your seat.
WHILE YOU MIGHT be familiar with the sights of Ireland from eye-level, how many have you experienced from above?
Dublin photographer Darren Houlihan took up photography just two years ago when his friend asked him to keep him company while he was out shooting.
Since then, he’s started to specialise in landscape and city photography – but it’s his breathtaking aerial and drone shots that have garnered him the most attention.
“I just got hooked from my first picture,” he says.
For 34 years I didn’t really see much of this amazing country, but since I found photography I am constantly travelling around Dublin and Ireland looking for new locations to shoot.
Houlihan uses a Sony a7iii and DJI Mavic Pro drone to capture the epic aerial photos, taking shots of castles, lighthouses and other landmarks – with quite a bit of preparation done beforehand to make the complex process run as smoothly as possible.
“I usually go to the location to survey the area first and plan where I want to shoot as I don’t want to turn up at sunrise and not know what I’ll find,” he explains.
“It usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes to get the shot I want. I always make sure I have three batteries with me as you only get 20 minutes of use per battery, so I have to be very smart with my flight time!”
Intrigued? Here are 12 of Darren’s most awe-inspiring photos of our little island, all taken from above…
1. The breathtaking Cloughoughter Castle, Co Cavan
2. A shot of the River Liffey that has us dreaming of summer
3. The almighty Aviva Stadium in Dublin 4
4. An alternative view of Grand Canal Dock
5. A ferry setting sail from Dublin Port
6. The iconic Poolbeg Towers
7. … and the Poolbeg Lighthouse
8. We’ll never get sick of that view
9. A magical sight of Castle Island on Lough Key, Co Roscommon
10. The Baily Lighthouse in Howth
11. … and from another angle
12. Living on the edge at Coumshingaun Lough, Co Waterford
