The wild Irish countryside is just breathtaking

Magical photography of the wild and wonderful landscapes Ireland has to offer will make you want to start planning your next vacation.

Ireland is home to some of the most incredible scenery in the world and those sights have been captured by the lenses of countless photographers. However, it takes a special photographer to be able to fully capture the majestic wildness of the Irish countryside and Gareth McCormack one such special photographer.

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Cave sunset frames Dunluce Castle Causeway Coast County Antrim Northern Ireland

Gareth McCormack is an Irish photographer and filmmaker, originally from County Tyrone but now living in west Sligo. He specializes in landscape, travel, and adventure imagery, and his work has been used by many of the world's most prominent magazines and newspapers, including National Geographic and the New York Times.

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He has also supplied images to a long list of commercial clients, including Tourism Ireland, Air New Zealand, Microsoft and Warner Bros. In 2013 McCormack also began to offer photography workshops, using his years of photographic expertise to help other photographers improve their technical skills and develop their own unique vision of the world around them.

Walker looking towards Saddle Head from Croaghaun Achill Island Co Mayo Ireland

How did you become interested in photography?

I began taking pictures as a means of illustrating my travel and adventure experiences during the mid-90s. I quickly discovered I loved the photographic process just as much and I became a full-time photographer not long after.

Walker on Mweelrea Mountain, Co. Mayo

Where is your favorite spot in Ireland to work?

The single most photogenic corner of Ireland is probably the Dingle Peninsula. It has a really unique sense of drama in its landscape; very rugged and uncompromising on the one hand, but softened by a verdant patchwork of rich farmland.

Gallery: Photos of wild Irish countryside will give you wanderlust

View of the stunning Giant's Causeway, Co. Antrim

What do you find interesting or inspiring about the Irish landscape?

The rich variety of landscapes and light. There is always something to shoot. We also have some great built heritage: ruined abbeys, castles, and Neolithic tombs.

Walker on the summit ridge of Slieve Carr, Nephin Beg Mountains, Co. Mayo, Ireland

You can visit Gareth’s website here or on his Facebook page here.

Gallery: Photos of wild Irish countryside will give you wanderlust

* Originally published in February 2015.