As someone who loves exploring Ireland’s natural beauty, I’ve found that drone photography offers an entirely different perspective than traditional land-based shots. The country’s diverse landscapes — from its rugged coastlines to the rolling green hills — are beautiful from the ground, but seeing them from above through a drone lens is nothing short of breathtaking. Although I use it sparingly, drone photography has become one of my favourite ways to capture the uniqueness of Ireland’s landscapes.
One of the key advantages of drone photography is the ability to access remote or hard-to-reach places. There are cliffs, valleys, and coastlines that simply aren’t accessible by foot or vehicle. For example, flying a drone out over the ocean or lake and looking down or back towards dramatic cliffs or mountain ranges provides an unparalleled view of the scale or unique perspective you just can’t get from the ground.
Similarly, the aerial perspective of lakes and mountains provides a sweeping view that captures the vastness of places like West Cork or Connemara, something that’s hard to convey from a land-based photo.
Another benefit is the ability to show patterns and shapes that are only visible from above. Ireland’s patchwork quilt of green fields, stone walls, beaches and winding roads is stunning from the air, highlighting the country’s unique landscape in a way often lost at ground level. I’ve found that drone shots give a more comprehensive sense of scale and texture, whether it’s the rugged hills or the tidal patterns along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Drone photography also allows for greater creative freedom. You can capture sweeping panoramic shots or get closer to specific features, like ancient stone circles or castle ruins, from angles that would be impossible to achieve on foot. The sense of movement and depth that comes with aerial shots brings these historic and natural sites to life in a way traditional photography simply can’t match.
Always ensure that you follow the rules for flying a drone, respect others, and don’t fly where you don’t have permission.