PHOTOS - Spectacular photography of Ireland by Damien Stenson - slideshow
Is this perhaps the most perfect picture of Ireland ever taken?
It is the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare - which featured in the Harry Potter movies - taken at night with the Milky Way resplendent in the night sky.
The eerie but beautiful scene was shot by Irish photographer Damien Stenson, whose specialty is astrophotography.
You can check out more of Damien’s work on his Facebook page which features many other amazing images of the night sky over Ireland.
Do you have a favorite picture from Ireland?
Some facts about the Cliffs of Moher:
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top visitor attractions and are a designated UNESCO Geo Park.
The cliffs are 700 feet high at the highest point and range for 5 miles over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare.
O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic cliffs.
From the cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South.
The Cliffs of Moher take their name from a ruined promontory fort “Mothar” which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower.
PHOTOS - Spectacular photography of Ireland by Damien Stenson - slideshow
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.bunkerhill | Oct 26, 2012, 05:22 PM EDT
This is truly an amazing picture. Almost terrestial. Bunkerhill
travelmpq | Oct 11, 2012, 11:53 AM EDT
Doesn't do it for me. Now the lakes of Killarney....
uppinko | Oct 11, 2012, 11:16 AM EDT
Fake, fake!!!!!!!!
johnshiel | Oct 11, 2012, 09:41 AM EDT
very fine!
jamthecat | Oct 10, 2012, 11:26 PM EDT
Smyrnian, there are no Northern Lights in the photo, and it's the moon setting, not the sun. Pay attention.
Smyrnian | Oct 10, 2012, 09:37 PM EDT
Wait a minute. This photo is taken looking south (has to be) so how do we get northern lights then and that sunset? I lived in Ireland many a year and never saw the northern lights except in the north! I have also been to the Cliffs of Moher a few times. The angles/directions are all wrong here!
plstg67 | Oct 10, 2012, 08:50 PM EDT
OMG!What an amazing photo.It truly is Heaven on Earth.
Searlit | Oct 10, 2012, 08:09 PM EDT
It's the moon setting, I read about the photo on Damien Stenson's site. @ Mamaginnty, I've been to Kilkenny. Very nice! Saw the lovely view from the top of St. Canice's tower, and visited beautiful Jerpoint Abbey. Sláinte!
mamaginnty | Oct 10, 2012, 04:08 PM EDT
A beautiful pic, so nice to see no bickering or begrudging about Ireland on IC for a change. Carrolover is right though, to many tourist spots are being ruined. Most of us living in Ireland would not bother going to them, we have so much beauty around us, I can walk around my cottage in Co. Kilkenny and it still takes my breath away to see Mt leinster, Blackstairs and Brandon hill looking down at me. At the edge of our village the river Barrow runs past, so many picture postcard area's around me, but the tourist never sees them, they book tours and never see the reaal Irealnd that I love so much.
Brian Byrne | Oct 10, 2012, 04:00 PM EDT
when one looks all the photo takes in all the elements then one has to give great consideration to the fact its a Photoshop fake.The setting sun and stars visible since when, small highlights along the cliff face. Seems highly suspect. Considering the time required to expose stars along with the difference in time required for the sun setting, Its Not H.D.R. So its a little bit of a few photos all photo shopped together.
RedBranch | Oct 10, 2012, 03:43 PM EDT
Any visitor to Ireland with a bit of an artistic eye and the right kit could take comparable. I've dozens sitting on my hard drive. That's the great thing about Ireland the place is one big Wonder and you'd be hard pressed to take an ugly photo. Any best picture should include some of the people of Ireland as they are 80% of what makes it what it is. Carollover below is right on with comments
citizen69 | Oct 10, 2012, 02:38 PM EDT
Great pic, looks photo-shopped! The beautiful green glow of the aurora borealis can be spotted around the north of Ireland in recent weeks.
Searlit | Oct 10, 2012, 01:30 PM EDT
I saw Téada a few years back, at a Celtic Christmas concert. They were great! I have to go back to Ireland. It seems I've missed some other beautiful Cliffs!
phinsman | Oct 10, 2012, 12:46 PM EDT
Damien Stenson is an amazing photographer, and also the Irish Trad group in which he plays, Téada, is also amazing. Téada was our featured music group a few years ago at the Eugene Irish Cultural Festival and everyone loved them.
Silling | Oct 10, 2012, 11:46 AM EDT
for Maggie 47. " And brought homosexuality to Ireland "
nicgearailt | Oct 10, 2012, 11:40 AM EDT
what an amazing picture..out of this world...thank you for sharing..
TisEyerish | Oct 10, 2012, 11:10 AM EDT
I saw this picture on FB yesterday and it took my breath away. The Cliffs have a special meaning to me because my father never made it to Ireland and I took the trip, also living my own 30 year dream, for both of us. While at the Cliffs, I could feel him standing behind my left shoulder. Was it illusion? Perhaps delusion? It could have been either, but I prefer to think he was really there with me. For that reason alone, the Cliffs have a special place in my heart. My first trip was in 2002 and my second in 2011. I have to agree with carollover...I much preferred my visit in 2002, although I did find the Visitor's Center to be very informative...I just wish they had put it across the street, and not sullied the landscape with it.
carollover | Oct 10, 2012, 11:01 AM EDT
yes it's a lovely photo, but I think too many people think the Cliffs of Moher is the most scenic place in Ireland. I don't even think they're the most scenic CLIFFS in Ireland....I think Bunglass in Donegal and Mizen Head in Cork are more dramatic. The Cliffs of Moher also used to be more scenic before they put the ugly visitors center in. I remember when you used to be able to drive up, park your car and walk up to the edge and see almost everything. Now they've put up too many guardrails with obstructed views. The Cliffs of Moher are pretty, but I think their reputation for beauty is inflated only because they're the easiest for the tourist buses to get to.
Searlit | Oct 10, 2012, 11:00 AM EDT
Spectacular and one of a kind photo. A perfect example of our alignment with the center of the Milky Way that is upon us. Aillte an Mhothair, Cliffs of the Mother. The ancient fort ruins were considered the Mother of Ireland by Gaels. The Cliffs are beyond beautiful.
borefield | Oct 10, 2012, 10:59 AM EDT
Finally, something beautiful and worthwhile on IC. Refreshing, thanks.
jamthecat | Oct 10, 2012, 10:43 AM EDT
Exquisite.
Maggie47 | Oct 10, 2012, 10:02 AM EDT
Happy, that would be Clifden, Galway where alcock and Brown landed.
Happyhippo | Oct 10, 2012, 09:57 AM EDT
In this part of the world they say the next parish is New York.
feliciamaisey | Oct 10, 2012, 09:47 AM EDT
Amazing!!
torbreezy | Oct 10, 2012, 09:46 AM EDT
This picture has me singing: "Just a little bit of heaven fell from out the sky one day . . . ." if somewhat off key.
mauwalsh | Oct 10, 2012, 09:35 AM EDT
I agree, this is an absolutely beautiful picture, I have never seen anything more awesome than this
trigger | Oct 10, 2012, 09:31 AM EDT
Really beautiful.