"the Keel Skyline"
This was photographed from the deserted village at Slievemore using one of the ancient cottages as a tripod. You can barely see the old road which runs north to south from Slievemore's hillside to the spectacular Keel skyline. The mighty Minaun cliffs stand muted in the distance and you can distinguish both Keel Lough and the Keel Strand glowing in the sunshine.
I never grow tired of filming these celestial events which take place more often on Achill than I have seen elsewhere. I witness them most often on overcast days when the air is so heavy with moisture that droplets of water form on my clothes even though there is no visible rain. The main ingredient however, seems to be a distinct absence somewhere in the cloud cover. When I am "working" in Ireland with my camera, I wake up every morning hoping that my day will end like this photograph.
from the foot of Slievemore - Achill Island
County Mayo, Ireland 2006
b y---J o h n---M i c h a e l---N i k o l a i
