We have been exploring Malin Head a fair bit recently. I really enjoy it’s wildness and dramatic beauty. It’s one of those rare places that is quiet. By quiet, I mean a lack of human busyness. There’s plenty of nature noise like the wind, the hissing of the grasses and leaves as they are blown.This has to be one of the most exposed spots in Ireland.
There is good scattering of robust cottages and relatively few cars. The narrow, winding roads mean that they are not pelting by. Its the quiet and still I hunger for – even when its blowing a gale! The fresh air here is like a refreshing drink of water.
Here are two new Malin Head paintings. The first is “Midsummer at Malin Head” which is a sturdy cottage surrounded by vigorous growths of monbretia. We are a bit early for its distinctive firey orange flowers – the come out from July to September.
The second painting is John’s Cottage, Malin Head (photography with permission of John Gallagher). John was born in the cottage but he now lives with his family (and dog) in a neighbouring cottage a stone’s throw from here.
In the distance are the Urris Hills, also on the Inishowen Peninsula. We spent two days last autumn there, looking for my husband Séamas’s drone crashed on Croaghcarragh (a peak between Urris Hills and Mamore with Mamore Gap in between) after he flew it backward into the mountainside! I spent a longtime waiting for him as various spots on the mountain, looking out towards Dunduff, Clonmany and Malin. The view was magnificent in that direction too. The howling gale that threatened to blow us off the mountain was pretty sobering. Fortunately, the drone was found and it still worked after a night out in the wilds. DJI make pretty tough little drones!
Summer Post-Script
For those who cannot not make it to West Donegal, here’s a brief video of my viewing gallery all set up by Séamas.
If you are thinking of visiting here’s a google map of our location
More Information on Inishowen
https://www.themountainguide.co.uk/ireland/inishowen
Absolutely gorgeous paintings, Emma.
Thank you, Katherine – you can’t go wrong with such stunning subject matter.
The paintings are so beautiful. Three words stick out for me in your description of Malin Head. Quiet, still…..and wild – three elements I love. Enjoy a productive summer.
Thank you Janet – I think in this busy modern world we end up longing for quiet more than ever!
Yes….
Fabulous paintings. Interesting how drones expand the options for capturing a landscape.
Yes, they up all sorts of possibilities (so long as it isnt really windy)!