The Hill of Slane. Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hi there,

Once again a step back to my Slane experience. The weather was brilliant, so I couldn't really waste it, could I?

This shot was taken on the Hill of Slane. The ruins represent the Friary and College. These are the remains of a 1512 reconstruction of the old monastery which the Fleming family re-built for the Franciscans. The college which you can see here (well, the ruins not the college itself) housed four priests, four lay-brothers and four choristers. The place is believed to have been abandonned as a place of worship in 1723.

The importance of the Hill of Slane itself can (according to some sources) be traced back into prehistory, probably as far as the Neolithic. In ancient Dindshenchas mythology, the Fir Bolg king Sláine was said to have been buried here. In Christian history the hill became established as the place where St. Patrick lit the first paschal fire in direct defiance of the pagan kings at nearby Tara.
Archaeologists however have suggested the Paschal Fire may have been lit at Brú na Bóinne, and possibly Knowth, instead of Slane.

The hill remained an eminence of Christian significance long after St. Patrick appointed Erc as the first Bishop there - a monastery survived on the Hill of Slane even after successive raids by the Vikings. It is still believed to be a mecca for pilgrims to this day.

According to some other sources, there are other less known facts, which make Slane a mystical and fascinating place. The 'motte' which stands on the western side of the hill, shielded from view by a wood of trees, is said to be of Norman origin, but is probably the burial mound of Sláine, the Fir Bolg King, who according to legend was the one who cleared the wood from the Brugh when the mounds of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth were built. The mound also has interesting alignments with other ancient sites, and in mythology may have an astronomical significance.

Apart from all historic facts it is really picturesque place. The views from the hill are amazing if of course you have a nice weather. What's also important, it's not sucha long drive from Dublin - perfect for short, half-day trip (or even less than one day).

Have a nice evening!

pauloog, Graal, jafadabret, leonorkuhn, jjanczyk, Jonathan_Tree has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ManuMay (11470) 2009-08-31 11:18

Hi Darek!!

I´m back again!!

Absolute view, geat colours and excellent textures on stone... Great!!

Have a nice day...

Manuel

bema (9128) 2009-08-31 11:24

Good evening Dariusz,

really a powerful capture with an impressive clouded sky over a god composed picture with a motive, which impresses me..
very nice colors and a spendid work, my compliments..

nice evening, best regards Bernd

Pablo25 (1787) 2009-08-31 12:19

czesc Darku,
coz za ostrosc i tekstura owej budowli, doskonala jakosc. Pogode miales widze w kratke, ale mimo to wszystkie detale az sie swieca:) Ciekawe ruiny, dobrze pokazane.
pozdrawiam
Pawel

luighi (4302) 2009-08-31 12:21

Hi friend Dariusz ,
a lo mejor te sorprendes con una de las fotos que pondre proximamente para dedicarte.
Es una fotografia muy parecida a esta que posteas hoy que es una maravilla para los ojos como no.

Un cordial saludo .
Luis

maxmitzu (453) 2009-08-31 12:23

HI,
You made a great photo here. Good sharpeningg, great colors and so amazing ruins. Good composition.
Best regards,
Max

john1 (2437) 2009-08-31 12:37

Hello Darisz,

Once again, beautifull capture great colors and excellent sharpness . Details of the ruins are wonderfull. Good shot.
Best regards.
John

Fis2 (46465) 2009-08-31 12:41

Czesc Darek!
To dzis mamy piekne ruinki, a jakie ciekawe okienka ;).
Jest oko na czym zatrzymac.
Lubie takie klimaty.
Jak zwykle swietnie pokazane.
Opisane rowniez :(
Pozdrawiam
Krzysztof

pauloog (6963) 2009-08-31 12:44

Hello Dariusz,
A bright clear view with a beautiful sky well centered around the ruins. Happy to see you do encounter sunny skies sometimes...
Regards,
Paul

hardyuno (2617) 2009-08-31 12:53

Hi Darek,
the perfect use of time.
The POv, the colours and depth are great. The sky is perfect captured. Great work. TFS
Have a nice evening
Hartmut

chawax (6219) 2009-08-31 13:15

Hi Dariusz,
I saw these ruins under a little rain, so I couldn't recognize them lol Excellent colors and light. And I love this very irish sky.
Regards,
Olivier

cherryripe (19187) 2009-08-31 13:56

Hi Dariusz
Once again you have fantastic light. The texture of the walls and grass is amazing. The low-lying cloud adds lots of atmosphere too.
Regards
Nikki

jurek1951 (26164) 2009-08-31 14:07

Witaj Darek,
nawet z ruin potrafisz wyczarowac piekno,ladne kolory i kadr,super praca,pozdrawiam
Jurek

emka (22439) 2009-08-31 14:59

witaj Wspaniałe zamczysko, w fajnym kadrze.
Chyba niedługo jedziesz na sloneczne wakacje, zyczę miłego odpoczynku.

Pozdrawiam

Małgorzata

raszid62 (3497) 2009-08-31 22:55

cze¶æ
Piêkne te ruiny na zielonej trawce i na tle wspania³ego nieba. Historia Irlandii znajduje swoje odbicie w³a¶nie w tych rozsianych po wyspie ruinach.
Doskona³e kolory i ostro¶æ.
Pozdrawiam
Józek

pablominto (41458) 2009-08-31 22:55

Hello Dariusz,

A great light situation, and even the clouds cooperate!
I like the centered composition bringing all attention to the subject, excellent details and great depth...
The shady foreground and bright back create a special effect here..!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Graal (58828) 2009-08-31 23:55

Czesc,
faktycznie pogoda jak na marzec byla super. Niezwykle ruiny, ciekawy zestaw barw i swiatlocieni. Interesujace informacje. Dobra robota.
Pozdr. Al.

jafadabret (40387) 2009-09-01 2:03

Bonjour Darek.
C'est une photo qui marque par son étrange façon de présenter ces ruines. J'aime les couleurs qui renvoient à un autre monde où tout devient possible.
Bien réalisé !
Amical salut !
Jacques

elkab (3326) 2009-09-01 2:36

Cześć Bracik!
Kolejna piękna odsłona pieknych, samotnych ruin. Bardzo ładne te mury także w sensie architektonicznym. Super kolory i światło, świetnie chmury zagrały podkreślając główny temat zdjęcia.

pozdrawiam ciepło
Sis

leonorkuhn (14125) 2009-09-01 3:59

Hi Darek,

Stunning view of the ruins. The sky is splendid with the clouds like cotton. Very beautiful colors, good textures and perfect light. Well done!

Greetings from Brasília
Leonor

delkoo (34866) 2009-09-01 4:18

hi dariuzs
the picture is really beautiful and nicely shows the atmosphere!!
Interesting image with a very well observed POV.

Best regards.

didier

gilou530 (35762) 2009-09-01 10:19

salut dariusz
une photo aux couleurs bien traitées et un ciel qui donne qu relief et contraste a ces ruines, beau travail
amitiés
gilbert

zanzi (4834) 2009-09-01 11:47

Hi Dariusz
The composition and the colors are beautiful. The light is however outstanding. I do not know if this is hdr or nor, but the result is perfect.
Bravo
Chris

jjanczyk (1921) 2009-09-01 12:15

Witaj Darku,
Doskonaly kadr!
Niesamowita kolorystyka, super wyglada niebo.
Swietnie wykadrowane.
Pozdrawiam

sacimar (7704) 2009-09-02 11:25

Hi Darek,

excellent picture! good perspective and great details and colours as always, the sky is amazing, I see because of the grass it was a windy day.... great composition!

Best regards

Sergio

cyborg83 (3798) 2009-09-02 22:35

Siemka Darku,
ale masz tych nowych fotek!! I co jedno zdjecie to lepsze,
Na tym zdjeciu podobaja mi sie bardzo ciekawe kolorki i interesujacy zakres tonalny.
Ja powoli zaczynam wracac do fotografii, mialem dosc dlugi okres karencji, braku weny i checi, mam nadzieje ze w koncu chwyce za aparat i polece gdzies troche "popstrykac"..
pozdrawiam

jemaflor (39759) 2009-09-08 11:35

Hi D,
Always somme lovely colors on your shots, well framed with a well taken ruins. Well the cloud to complete your photo.

Jonathan_Tree (4859) 2009-12-16 1:49