Dunseverick Castle Ruin, North Antrim Coast (relaxing N Irish continuous landscape scenery on film) @Irelandscapes

Irelandscapes Dunseverick Castle, near the famous tourist spot of Giant's Causeway. Visited by St Patrick in the 5C AD, attacked by Vikings in 870AD, sacked by Cromwellian forces in 1650. this Gaelic castle had seen much action over the centuries, despite it's remote location. It has impressive earthworks adjacent to it's rocky tower, a clue to much older times of settlement and defence. These earthworks are an impressive structure requiring much labour of construction, apparently designed to shepherd enemies into 'killing zones' as they attempted to raid from the small, beach inlets below. The fact that we know about a number of recorded attacks on the position says a lot about the nature of the people who lived here who clearly refused to relinquish their lands without stiff resistance.
There's a very strong atmospheric presence of the past at this location on peaceful days. It's not hard to imagine those ancient inhabitants going about their daily business, their character shaped by this dramatic, romantic scenery.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunseverick_Castle

updated 7 years ago

Dunseverick Castle Ruin, North Antrim Coast (relaxing N Irish continuous landscape scenery on film)

Irelandscapes 2017-09-20 | Dunseverick Castle, near the famous tourist spot of Giant's Causeway. Visited by St Patrick in the 5C AD, attacked by Vikings in 870AD, sacked by Cromwellian forces in 1650. this Gaelic castle had seen much action over the centuries, despite it's remote location. It has impressive earthworks adjacent to it's rocky tower, a clue to much older times of settlement and defence. These earthworks are an impressive structure requiring much labour of construction, apparently designed to shepherd enemies into 'killing zones' as they attempted to raid from the small, beach inlets below. The fact that we know about a number of recorded attacks on the position says a lot about the nature of the people who lived here who clearly refused to relinquish their lands without stiff resistance.
There's a very strong atmospheric presence of the past at this location on peaceful days. It's not hard to imagine those ancient inhabitants going about their daily business, their character shaped by this dramatic, romantic scenery.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunseverick_Castle

Audleys Castle, An Anglo Norman Family in Ireland - Episode 1

Irelandscapes 2024-10-07 | This is the first of three episodes plotting the course of the Anglo Norman invasions of Ireland, through the lives of one family, originating in Staffordshire, whose tower house on the shores of Strangford Lough sets the stage for a story lasting over seven centuries.

The Spaniels on Strangford - N Irish Animal Landscape Scenes

Irelandscapes 2024-08-21 | Too good an opportunity not to stop and film these guys. Five young Spaniels having the time of their life at low tide near Ards on Strangford Lough. Spaniels are 'the' gun dog and love the water as much as the land. They take a lot of exercise and attention, being intelligent and intuitive animals. Their nature is very gentle and they love to be petted... and of course those big brown eyes staring out from a face of soft, neat hair make them very attractive to passers by.
Perhaps these dogs are all youngsters from the same litter? We hope to see them there again soon.

Superyacht Scout at Belfast Harbour - Brief Technical Analysis

Irelandscapes 2024-07-21 | A RARE AND WELCOME SIGHT
This is the first superyacht we have taken a close up look at in Belfast Harbour. Most are usually moored at sea, further East in Belfast Lough, off the City Of Bangor. So this was a great opportunity to get a closer look at one of these amazing vessels.

The discreet owner and his partner are philanthropists and animal lovers. That would make them very popular here in N Ireland where pet ownership and concern for animals is very high. The ship itself is designed with the owners' dogs very much in mind.

SECRECY
We normally like to do a brief interview with a working, hands member of crew on a boat or ship. However, this was not possible as the S African second officer from Durban advised us that he was sworn to secrecy and therefore could not discuss any of his seafaring career to date. S Africa exports quite a lot of young people as private ship's crew - some are working on this yacht. These are the post Apartheid, pro-diversity generation making their mark on the high seas.

'WHO GOES THERE?!'
Alas beautiful Scout was fenced off portside with event wire screens normally seen at concerts - which made filming a little more difficult. This was possibly due to a June incident (linked below) in port at Cork which must have been a traumatic experience for the young crew? Let's hope they recover from this incident. Perhaps the days of the 3 shift watch and dedicated maritime security operators may return to the world of superyachts visiting Westerly shores?

msn.com/en-ie/news/national/two-face-assault-and-burglary-charges-after-alleged-incidents-on-scout-superyacht-in-kinsale/ar-BB1ofthJ

COME BACK SOON!
Bon voyage to James Berwind, Kevin Clark and crew when they depart Belfast. Their Yacht really is a fabulous modern reminder of those glamorous and tech laden early Bond films of master writer Ian Fleming. Perhaps we'll get to film this yacht at sea next time...

Like to see more ships and boats around this island? You can find at least 70 dedicated Irelandscapes films in this playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2IXXfmuvkAQ5Bj-wjvKUmkoUzs6mrhgB

Red Arrows Over Belfast Lough -Carrickfergus RAF Aerobatic Display, Armed Forces Day

Irelandscapes 2024-06-27 | Caught on the move with a handheld at 50 frames per second - excuse any wobbles! Thanks also to a friend for the rooftop view. When you see them this close to your home town, the agility, the sound and speed, there is something reminiscent about what it must have been like to witness aerial combat during WW2 over Britain. Perhaps from watching all those captivating Technicolour epics on the big screen or tv.
This display was part of the annual Armed Forces Day at Carrickfergus Castle on the North Shore of Belfast Lough.

Irish Research Vessel Galtee at Glenarm Harbour - Vessel Technical Analysis

Irelandscapes 2024-06-26 | Thank you to Eoin from Geological Survey Ireland for the chat, and Infomar.ie for their help with this production. This will be the first installment on Irish marine surveying - more of this interview will feature in a second film.
Several months ago, we spotted RV Galtee in Glenarm Harbour - on it's way to a service at manufacturer Redbay Boats. So, we had to know more about it - based on it's stealthy profile and equipment schedule. Hope you enjoy this latest marine technical analysis!

Wind In The Barley, Strangford - N Irish Farming Landscape Scenery

Irelandscapes 2024-06-13 | A peaceful moment for you to enjoy, filmed just a few miles from Portaferry Village. What a fantastic Barley season down on the Peninsula this year.
After so much rain, it's good to see strong healthy grains in abundance where other crop seasons have been adversely effected by the weather.

Scottish Piper, Bangor Sunset - N Irish Traditional Music Scenes

Irelandscapes 2024-05-19 | Great to meet this very dedicated lady piper from Aberdeenshire attending a local competition with her fifteen strong ensemble. She chose this evocative piece to end the day and celebrate their coming second in the competition. Another lady was there to listen too - her sister, who inspired their lifelong interest in the pipes. The scenery here features the gorgeous sunset visible from Bangor Seafront - it stretches all the way to Ballyholme to the East making a for a pleasant walk or just pick a spot on a harbour wall or sit on soft grass amongst the coastal rocks and enjoy the view.

Scots and Irish have been crossing the sea here to each other's settlements here for two millennia. In modern history, Bangor itself was administrative centre for the private plantation of wealthy Scot James Hamilton, a former aide to King James VI of Scotland and later James I of England. At the close of the Nine Years War between England and Ireland in 1603, James took a more traditional approach to the 'Irish problem', favouring an autonomous, Western Highland laird-style arrangement (like that of the noble Huntleigh) in Ulster using the existing Irish nobility. It was his preference to make this arrangement with the Gaelic lords, but they themselves decided to make flight for Europe, distrustful of the English Parliament with whom James as King had offered to negotiate on their behalf.

Nightshift for The Water Boys - N Irish Water Service Working Scenes

Irelandscapes 2024-05-03 | Another unsung night work crew featured in this short video. These guys turn up when most are turning in for bed - making sure the big drains and sewers are fully functional, in the dark, and often in the rain. So when we wake up the next morning, everything is running perfectly. Some of these town drains can go down underground for many metres and they're not all new structures - in Holywood Town there are huge redbrick drain water chambers connected by tunnels dating to at least the early 19th Century.

The Hamiltons Of Island Hill Comber - N Irish Potato Farming

Irelandscapes 2024-04-18 | Thank you to the Hamilton brothers at their arable farm for taking the time to show us around the process of potato growing from land to shop. This was an opportunity to see a number of varieties and hear who buys what when the harvests are in. The farm is at an enviable location on the mouth of Strangford Lough - Ards Town on one side and Comber Town on the other, overlooked by the commanding Scrabo Hill. The scenery, with low tide or high tide, moody skies or sunshine, is superb. The island opposite is reached by a tidal causeway, popular with local walkers and teeming with a variety of seabirds who reside comfortably around the comings and goings of visitors. You can park nearby and watch the progress of the Sun from rise to set as it's light changes the colour of the sea within the lough and silhouettes the land on two opposing shores.

Scrabo Farmer Interview - N Irish Farming Scenes

Irelandscapes 2024-03-06 | Thank you to Ian for being a great host to Irelandscapes literally when we met at one of his fields on Scrabo's hillside fields overlooking Strangford Lough.

This is a mixed farm of arable and livestock. The unique influence here which assists both animals and crops, is a microclimate availing of local land and sea conditions on a sheltered, South facing slope. The lower fields are legendary for high yield crops in exceptionally fertile glacial till soil and some of the big supermarket chains best produce comes from this area. If you like carrots, parsnips, potatoes and leaks - this is the land to see them grow.

Ian's farm is a multi-generational family affair with the land. He's part of the land now himself and it shows in the ease with which he carries out his daily duties on the farm.

Dusk Arrivals, Belfast City - N Irish Commercial Aircraft Scenes

Irelandscapes 2024-02-27 | Yesterday evening as the Sun set behind Black Mountain, looking across the city from Upper Belmont at the edge of East Belfast.
This is a good time to observe air traffic as aircraft arrive and depart from Belfast City Airport to destinations around the UK and Ireland. There's a good clear line of observation, regardless of the wind direction which dictates an approach from Belfast Lough, or the land corridor opposite.
This short film gives you an idea of the 'look of the land' on a crisp Winter season evening, though it will not be long before the land wakens up for the Spring and those trees and shrubs start to leaf up and bloom.
The tree lined suburban layout of the foreground, Stormont and Belmont, has changed little since Stormont parliament buildings were first erected, although the local population has increased somewhat. You might spot Campbell College or one of the church spires towards Sydenham, and of course the very busy shipyard at the mouth of the lough.
The airport:
belfastcityairport.com
The shipbuilding:
harland-wolff.com

Lough Swallows In Rainfall, Ards Peninsula - N Irish Wildlife Scenery

Irelandscapes 2024-02-13 | Filmed last Summer, an opportunity to see these incredibly agile birds feeding across the lough surface s they twist and turn sharply in pouring rain - rain which doesn't deter them at all! We've left a good minute of 'raindrops on water' scene at the end of this short film for you to enjoy - it' always very hypnotic for us. If folk want anymore of these clips to watch on Irelandscapes as 'standalone' relaxing scenes, just ask and we'll put something up.

Sea Fishing, Redbay Pier, Antrim - N Irish Angling Interview

Irelandscapes 2024-02-12 | ...

Mourne Stone Masons - Traditional N Irish Working Scenes

Irelandscapes 2024-02-08 | A chance encounter with these masons whilst admiring their work on a house in North Down led to this film. It was very kind of them to explain their work and their tools as they erected several beautiful stone walls with a variety of local stone. These folk are from the Mournes area where their preferred stone is quarried and evident all across that area in churches, houses, farmland walls and public buildings going back hundreds of years. They are very much in demand now as genuine traditional building crafts, with their well respected longevity, make a welcome return to house architecture on the island. As well as the walls under construction, we've featured historic buildings with the same stone, and Newcastle, a seaside town and gateway to the Mourne Mountains from the East Coast. Just ten minutes away on the coast road is Dundrum Village with it's sprawling hilltop Norman stone castle built by invader knight John De Courcy.

SCENE Victorian Bedroom Winter Fireplace - Traditional N Irish Farm Scenery

Irelandscapes 2024-01-16 | 14 minutes of warm, relaxing HD fireside scene complete with crackling pine firewood and the licking of flames. We haven't done a house scene film for a while now and this is a good one to start the year off on those dark, cold Winter evenings as you're thinking about heading off to bed. Whatever screen you use, this flickering fire should illuminate your darkened room just like the real thing.

Sundown Fog Bank East Belfast & Belfast Lough - N Irish Winter Landscape Scenery

Irelandscapes 2024-01-07 | Panoramic sweeps over the suburbs and sea of this outstanding sea fog event tonight, settling into the low lying areas around the city. You might spot features you know, like the cranes at Belfast Harbour or that aircraft passing Holywood town before descending to City Airport.

Belfast City Skyline New Years Eve - First Two Minutes of 2024

Irelandscapes 2024-01-01 | We went to see what promised to be a decent citizen input with celebratory fireworks across the city at midnight. Compared to previous years, 2024 did not disappoint. Across this sea of lights, the distant chorus of cheers, bangs and combined ship horns in the harbour.

The Lights Men at Holywood - Fitting Town Christmas Trees in County Down

Irelandscapes 2023-12-09 | Finally got to meet up with the hard working fellas who get these trees installed and fitted out in time for many town Christmas events across County Down. They work so fast that most people never see them, year after year. So now it's their turn to get some coverage and wish them a Merry Christmas for '23. The scenes here offer glimpses of an architectural history of the town, from Norman, to Scottish, and Victorian flourish. Despite enormous pressure from property developers, Holywood Town has maintained the bulk of it's notable architectural heritage and street layout, giving it an ever present feeling of connection to the past and many lives lived in this seaside settlement.

WANT MORE IRELANSCAPES CHRISTMAS FILMS?
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2IXXfmuvkAT34olRJ75WvKkSg-WBfbpy

HMS Magpie At Bangor Harbour (Royal Navy Survey Ship - Technical Analysis)

Irelandscapes 2023-11-15 | HMS Magpie visited the City Of Bangor on the South (County Down) shore of Belfast Lough in the Summer of 2023. A great opportunity for us to film and explain the functions of this impressive new design borne out of Project Vahana.

Thanks to www.tmsmaritime.co.uk of Dawlish, Devon for the dredger & barge film of the approach to Portsmouth Harbour.
Thanks to www.safehavenmarine.com of Cork, Ireland, for the sea trials footage of the completed HMS Magpie survey ship.

CREDITS not listed on screen:

Multi beam ship sonar image: NOAA

HMS Magpie shown here in the Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta. Credit: © A&J Pavia Louis Cardona

HMS Magpie F82 Sliema Creek, Malta (Louis Cardona)

HDMS MSF-1 conducts side scan sonar exercises while transiting the Baltic Sea. By CPO Brian Djurslev

Aerial View - Portsmouth Harbour © Colin Babb cc-by-sa/2.0

Portsmouth Harbour by Mike McBey

NOTES:

"The Mary Rose was one of King Henry VIII’s favourite warships until she sank during an engagement with the French fleet on 19 July 1545. Her rediscovery and raising were seminal events in the history of nautical archaeology."

Storm Agnes Hits the N Irish Coast (Irish Sea and coast storm weather scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-09-28 | Scenes captured yesterday on the Lecale Peninsula in South County Down, followed by the return trip via Strangford. Nothing like parking up and watching the scene unfold to some classical music on the radio - or the Shipping Forecast if it's the right time of day. The lighthouse featured is St John's Point - with it's original high beam light thanks to the local community who are intent on keeping the original machinery as a working tribute to the engineering of great Irish lighthouses. At night, that beam can be experienced for miles as it hits the shoreline and illuminates the houses of local people. Most lighthouses in the area, like Donaghadee and The Copelands have now had their lights replaced with winking LED's.

Spring Barley Harvest at Ballyphilip, Strangford (N Irish arable farming interview & scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-09-14 | We ran into Andrew Harrison whilst taking the back road into Portaferry, but had been keeping an eye on this land all Summer as the crops changed and the number of harvests increased. He kindly demonstrated what was happening in this Ballyphilip Townland field, on one of the many drumlin hills overlooking Strangford Lough. The family also have a restaurant at Greyabbey which uses local produce. The overall feeling with these working crews is one of energy and optimism - and they have to be, knowing that only certain days allow the cutting, gathering and transporting of crops and those days will be worked long into the dark hours. It's been a Summer for intense rain and that has borne out in the barley this year with a slightly lower yield. Around are other crops like corn for animal feed, which has seen a big rise in planting over the last few years.

Small Tortoiseshell Garden Butterfly (N Irish wildlife scenes)

Irelandscapes 2023-09-06 | Filmed today in the late Summer sunshine. This butterfly is a common visitor to our gardens, in Spring and Autumn. Yet it's beauty never ceases to amaze. Perhaps because we don't get quite close enough, and for long enough, to examine the amazingly fine detail in the design of those wings, or the soft fur on it's body, and those striped antennae. In this footage we are able to show all of that, and both sides of the wings. It's building bodyweight in fat for a purpose. They will hibernate through the Winter, beginning the end of this month, and have a 50% chance at least of making it to breeding season again next year, even through the coldest of our annual temperatures.
Sometimes in Winter you will find a Tortoiseshell in the corner of a garden shed, or the eves of your attic. You see them, a surprise guest, silent and still and a little jaded by settled dust. Hibernating until the longer, warmer days return. You smile and close the door and wish you little lodger well until that time.

Donaghadee Harbour Jump (N Irish water sport scenes)

Irelandscapes 2023-09-04 | Encountered these guys last night after a trip to the town for an ice cream!
NB - make sure it is safe to jump into any harbour - that the water is deep enough, there are no obstacles and no boat traffic. Stay away from rocky shores. Look up the harbour and it's rules on diving / swimming online before trying any jumps. Never jump alone. Jumping looks cool, but it must always be safe.

Holywood Yacht Club, A Town Regatta (sailing club short documentary)

Irelandscapes 2023-09-02 | This a a true town sailing club with lots of local members and direct access to the sea at Kinnegar, a shore settlement with a documented history dating to the Anglo Norman period of Ulster. Effectively, people have been sailing from here for 800 years. There were also traditional boat building sheds until the late 1800's further along the shore.
In this interview we get a feel for the local nature of the club, an integral feature of this seaside town. It's an open, affordable and accessible place, the way a town club should be. New generations are well represented.
Well done, Holywood. A great day on the lough for sailors and spectators.

HMS Albion at Belfast Harbour (Royal Navy ship technical analysis film - Amphibious Transport Dock)

Irelandscapes 2023-08-31 | It was a surprise to see the colossus that is Albion moored at Belfast Harbour. This visit was to collect families of serving crew to take part in celebrations in England to mark the end of six years continuous operational service. For obvious reasons, most military ships arrive and depart unannounced into the harbour as part of their opsec policies. This was a great chance to get a closer look and, as Albion is such a physical combination of naval taskings, to research this vessel thoroughly for a technical info film that explains the equipment and function of Albion.

Thank you to Maritimo in Plymouth for their superb shot of an Albion homecoming!

MORE FILMS ON NAVY VESSELS:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
HMS BLAZER: youtu.be/02DUawGCQlE
TS ROYALIST: youtu.be/6OMY62GAdK4
HMS PENZANCE & HMS RAIDER: youtube.com/watch?v=0dAzdxz_-aY

Foil Surfing on Belfast Lough (N Irish water sport scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-08-24 | Filmed this week on the lough. These boards move at an impressive speed. It looks like it requires some patience and developed skill to keep these boards up and out of the water, but once they're on track - wow! Wonder if an experienced foiler could commute to Belfast Harbour from Bangor on one of these boards?!

Rail Track Night Workers, Bangor Line NIR (N Irish railway working scenes)

Irelandscapes 2023-08-22 | We often see these guys out after midnight on the tracks at various stages along the Belfast to Bangor route. Always cheery and getting stuck in to the job at hand. It's a nocturnal role in the dead of night when there is hardly a person about to see them and appreciate their work. But we do! By 6AM that morning the work is complete and thousands of commuters gather at their respective home stations for the trip to their offices, unaware of the work carried out by small gangs of track workers in the inky black of the wee small hours.

Little Fishes, Donaghadee Harbour - (N Irish Wildlife Scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-08-21 | Sitting on the harbour wall and watching the little fish that live in it's shelter until they're big enough for the open sea 😊
We'll leave it up to the experts to ID these particular species.

Wood Pigeons In Summer Rain (N Irish wildlife footage)

Irelandscapes 2023-08-18 | They are a faithful friend, with their reassuring call in the morning and evening. They meet a partner, pair for life and are often very affectionate with one another . They endure through rain, wind and snow to perch every Summer on our rooftops and garden tree branches with that unique, crisp sound of their flapping wings as they arrive. When we drive all over the country, they are there, perched reassuringly on top of a lamp post looking down on us all as we hurry from one place to the other. Yet, most only survive for three years as adults. So this is a little tribute to that constant, feathery friend, the Wood Pigeon.

Beach Horse Relay at Donaghadee with the Waterworths ( N Irish equestrian event film)

Irelandscapes 2023-08-18 | This month's superb beach event at historic Donaghadee Town on the Ards Peninsula coast. A real spectator event, keenly attended by thousands of local folk and visitors. Many towns and villages in Ulster hosted annual events like this one up to a century ago, so it's good to see an active promotion of traditional horse racing events where people can come together for an afternoon's entertainment and see these skilled riders and beautiful animals in action. The atmosphere is always upbeat and nostalgic.
We chat with the sponsors, the Waterworth family, owners of several restaurants in the town and keen community volunteers involved in many local events.

Baile Holme (Ballyholme) , Origins Of An Ulster Townland (N Irish place documentary with scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-08-16 | This is a multi part documentary, looking at the medieval origins of townlands in North Down. Every one of the hundreds of townlands in Ulster has a story to tell, and much of that is a detective story through local knowledge, old and new academic sources.
In this episode we look at how a small, yet strong local waterway would provide natives and settlers with a source of power for their survival and proliferation. Water mills in Ireland were certainly introduced at a very early period of recorded history, long before the arrival of Norse and Normans. The development of the early Christian communities, like Bangor for example, and their associated fermentation of skills and knowledge, did much to advance the availability and practicality of milling. There were different types of mills through the centuries, and different products to mill. They evolved to serve not only small settlements but the commerce of export trade. One thing is certain, however. A good mill site is ALWAYS a good mill site and is much inclined to attract peoples through the ages.

A list of acknowledgements:

Warwick Bridge working corn water mill footage - Jonathan McGuinness at: facebook.com/A1Weathering

Table Scene - Norman’s first meal in England, at the center is Bishop Odo, who gazes out as he offers a blessing over the cup in his hand (detail), Bayeux Tapestry, c. 1070, embroidered wool on linen, 20 inches high (Bayeux Museum)

LODE MILL at Anglesey Abbey by Neil Hunt

Montgomery Manuscripts - National Library Of Scotland

Medieval Blacksmiths - 1310 Gorelston Salter

Medieval water mill and pond - 'Mill with eel buckes' © British Library: The Luttrel Psalter

'Water wheel at Allerford' - M J Richardson

Belfast City Panoramic with City Airport Flight Approach (N Irish urban landscape scenery film)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-29 | July 2023. Looking from North Belfast, across Belfast Harbour toward E Belfast and Strangford Lough beyond the Holywood Hills. That's an Easyjet flight arriving at the City Airport on a Sunday Afternoon.
This film has a high frame rate, so you can stop at any point and look at the view in high def.

Ducklings at Sea, Mallards on Belfast Lough (N Irish wildlife scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-29 | Having rescued one of these critters a few years ago on the shoreline and got it to a sanctuary in Gilnahirk, we've got a soft spot for these determined little swimmers making their own way in the world and facing the challenges of the sea. They're very rewarding to watch. Usually, there are up to eight Mallard ducklings with a mother, seen cruising close to shore and in the evening making the swim to a safe overnight location. The male is the colourful bird with his green head, grey body and bright orange bill. The female is uniform brown, and that makes sense. Her colour affords camouflage protection during the breeding season, like her ducklings.
Nests are built March/April and the female lays all her eggs (as many as 12) over a two week period. In the environment you see here, shellfish are the most common food supply.

Ballyholme Village - The Doctor (N Irish place documentary with scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-27 | The second episode about life in Ballyholme 'Village'. This time with retired doctor, Sheldon Hinds, who attended the nearby Bangor Grammar school which set both himself and his brother on the path to studying medicine. He and his wife were very welcoming and have a wonderful grasp of the impact on this scenic enclave on peoples' daily lives.

HMS Blazer Fast Patrol Boat at Belfast Harbour (info film with N Irish scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-24 | When a military vessel arrives at the local harbour, there's always that curiosity about it's performance, crew and capabilities. This high speed patrol boat, built by Watercraft Marine beginning 1985, is no exception.
The last couple of years have seen an increase in UK / US / NATO ships sailing past or docking along these shores and we aim to provide coverage of their presence, with additional information, when possible.
Ship identification for those that follow vessels online:
MMSI number: 235009870
Callsign: GAAU
More Irelandscapes films on Navy vessels:
HMS Penzance and HMS Raider at Bangor Harbour: youtu.be/0dAzdxz_-aY
HMS Penzance at Belfast Harbour - short info film: youtu.be/aq3z_3s69to
HMS Lancaster at Belfast Harbour features in this film: youtu.be/AJkl6syP-ik
TS Royalist Navy training brig at Belfast Harbour: youtu.be/6OMY62GAdK4

Ballyholme Village - The Photographer (N Irish place documentary with scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-23 | Ballyholme 'Village', a traditional seaside residential enclave at the Southern side entrance to Belfast Lough, is a place where generations have stayed put, reinforcing the character of this Victorian and Edwardian legacy settlement whilst adapting to the changes of a modern world. It's a shoreside suburb of the City Of Bangor in County Down with a cinematic promenade worthy of any sixties Technicolour classic movie. Ballyholme originated as a townland and has it's own Ballyholme Bay, next to the larger Bangor Bay.
We decided to interview some locals to see what has held them and their families in this 'village' locale for many decades and these interviews are the result.

Episode 2: youtu.be/lDpygl0H-gQ

Sailing Belfast Lough (N Irish Summer sailing and landscape footage)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-21 | Filmed from Carrickfergus shore yesterday. A very calm evening, and yet just enough of a breeze for these boats to head out into the lough and stretch their sails.

Swallows In The Rain at Strangford (N Irish HD footage of Swallow birds feeding and perching)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-19 | As you get older you learn to appreciate the sheer force of survival little winged creatures like the Swallow, the Swift and the Martin possess. From thousands of miles away in South Africa, they travel daily for six weeks to reach this island. For months they dance every minute of daylight in our skies and amongst our forests and grasslands, creating new life of their own. Always, they are a sound of happiness and resilience. Then as our days shorten, one of those days, they are all gone to warmer shores with only the promise of a return in the Spring months.
We hope you enjoy this footage of Swallows and Martins congregating in spectacular flight and perhaps you catch sight of the little Robin sat on the road watching it all.

Beautiful Unidentified Aerial Object filmed over County Down Northern Ireland

Irelandscapes 2023-07-17 | We are an Irish landscapes and culture channel. This is not something we normally film and we don't know what it is, other than what you read below. The footage is slowed x 4 so you can get a batter look at the structure. Recorded at 01:00 hours this morning. Completely silent. Travelling slower than regular air traffic in the area - possibly 100mph. Estimated height 1000 - 2000 ft. Heading exactly due East. The structure was fixed and rotating, consisting of four spheres in a pyramid shape and a central red light . The light was so intense we had to use a maximum reduction of exposure to identify features. We don't know what this is, but it was three times as bright as anything in the dark sky this morning. Based on the zoom we used, it was the size a regular SUV. Feel free to let us know what you think.

On The Rocks - Shore Fishing Bangor County Down (angling interview and scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-15 | Great to meet Alan today, a native of the City Of Bangor in County Down. He came down here from the Ballymena direction in County Antrim today to fish his favourite spot. We chatted about a few of the local places that are popular with dedicated sea anglers like Orlock Point towards Donaghadee and how traffic at sea effects the movement of certain fish species on this coastline. You're not only getting good fishing at Bangor, you're getting great views too - of ships, boats and Antrim coastline across Belfast Lough. You can park close to your chosen spot and there's always somewhere for coffee nearby.

THE FARM, AUTUMN MIST (Cinematic N Irish Rural Scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-14 | A short observation of autumn mists descending on sheep grazing on a field near Millisle, County Down. The difference in temperatures of sea and and land air at this coastal location creates perfect conditions for these mists on low ground.

Music used: Warming Light by Jonny Easton
Link: youtube.com/watch?v=jmrvDx4okis

The Sailor - Short Cinematic Irish Coastal Scene

Irelandscapes 2023-07-13 | Filmed on Belfast Lough this evening. That's Cloghan Jetty in the background and far behind it shipping on the Irish Sea passes slowly South.
These scenes are probably left without explanation and better interpreted by the viewer. Hope you like them.

Music:
Composer: Whitesand Year: 2022 Title: Undiscovered
youtube.com/watch?v=czZ_5STV6PQ
open.spotify.com/artist/3GXunV3wsCpSdKp0L5tcNH
Buy: - whitesand.bandcamp.com

Nendrum Summer Winds, Mahee Island (peaceful monastic ruin film scenery with Gregorian music)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-08 | This very peaceful monastic island site not far from Comber Town in County Down is characterised by each of the seasons. Summer, is the wind in long grasses and flowering Hawthorn, seeded with the chirping of Swallows and Martins as lough bound geese fly parallel to this elevated site.

HISTORY: "Nendrum Monastery was a Christian monastery on Mahee Island in Strangford Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland. Medieval records say it was founded in the 5th century, but this is uncertain. The monastery came to an end at some time between 974 and 1178, but its church served a parish until the site was abandoned in the 15th century. Some remains of the monastery can still be seen."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nendrum_Monastery

Carrot Planting County Down - Explained in 1 Minute (info film with Stephen Watson of Horners Farm)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-07 | Back at the farm shop today near Comber to buy some eggs, strawberries and carrots. A chance to ask farm worker Stephen from Darragh Cross about the basic process of carrot planting, growing and harvesting. Stephen was the tractor driver at Horners' farm in our recent film about potato farming.

TS Royalist - Cadetship To A Life At Sea (maritime documentary)

Irelandscapes 2023-07-05 | The Training Ship Royalist, a Royal Navy Cadet two masted brig, sailed into Belfast Harbour in September where we filmed her. We found a cadet crewmember from the original TS Royalist of 1971 and interviewed him about how this experience shaped his naval and commercial career at sea -which is still ongoing. Some great footage included here of shipping activity on Belfast Lough, The TS Royalist, and supporting film and images from folk in England who kindly offered to help illustrate this story.

N Irish Potato Farming, with Willie John Anderson (documentary with interviews + scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-06-30 | A chat up at Willie John's farm in Craigantlet about Spring ploughing fields for potatoes near Portaferry, leads to a trip down to Comber for more information. It's not a simple business! There's a lot of work and planning to be done - choosing and preparing a field before any seed is eventually planted. There's the rains to consider, the type of soil, the stones to remove, and the potato variety itself. Then there's knowing when to harvest after the plant above the ground gives the right signals to the farmer. Harvested potatoes have to be wisely stored and new potatoes have to be gathered daily for farm shop customers.
The basic process - all done in the same year, beginning Feb/Mar:
(1) choose the right field (dry and preferably a former barley field vs grass)
(2) plough the field
(3) fertilise the field, and 'bedform' - create 'ridges' with rotavating, removing the stones in the soil at the same time
(4) choose your crop according to the customers needs - size and versatility
(4) drill the ridges to plant with seed potatoes (approx 2 weeks after plough)
(5) choose whether to 'blanket' the crop with a fleece which protects and accelerates growth of early planted varieties
(5) harvest when the flower has gone and the plant begins to fade

A big thank you to Willie John Anderson of Holywood, and the Horners of Comber.
Watch out for another Irelandscapes film on Irish potato growing later this year.

Summit - by Jonny Easton
Link:
• Soft Piano Music ...

Friends Of Ferguson Tractor Heritage Day Cultra (N Irish documentary with interviews and scenes)

Irelandscapes 2023-06-24 | Just up the road from Holywood Town, County Down - a great family friendly event at the Folk Museum today - the perfect historic environment to showcase these tractors and their owners in authentic scenery.... and they also got to work those tractors in the museum farm fields.
We interviewed some owners about their vehicles and how they came to own them. This is an annual event at Cultra so there will always be an opportunity to see the show which also includes traditional music performances. The museum has a large cafe and during the event there is plenty of time to check out the famstead, terrace homes, churches, shops and municipal buildings that characterised the historical development of the province from the 17 Century on.

Links:

Friends Of Ferguson NI: facebook.com/groups/fofhni

Folk Museum, Cultra: facebook.com/UlsterFolkMuseum

Saintfield Agricultural Show (documentary - traditional N Irish livestock, horses, and farming folk)

Irelandscapes 2023-06-18 | A visit to this amazing agricultural show on large farm near Saintfield town, which takes a full day to get around all the exhibits and entertainments. In contrast to the famous annual Balmoral Show held in South Belfast, this event is very much a rural affair, with plenty of big open, green spaces for parking and picnicking. A very lively, upbeat and friendly family event for visitors - worth putting in your calendar for 2024. The lawnmower racing was something else, a first for us, and we hope to get a go on one next year! There were a lot more events than you see in this short documentary focused on animals, hopefully it gives you an idea of what to expect.
More info: facebook.com/SaintfieldShow

Carnlough, Curiosity & Dolphins (playful dolphins on the Antrim Coast follow a local tour boat)

Irelandscapes 2023-06-17 | Davy Smyth, fisherman and charter captain at Carnlough village harbour, takes some very satisfied passengers to see dolphins which daily cruise the North Antrim Summer shoreline - in his boat Curiosity. The dolphin numbers this year are high and they're not shy as you can see!

More about the charters here:
http://carnloughboattours.weebly.com

Other Irelandscapes films about Carnlough:

Horses swimming in the harbour: youtu.be/bR-Kj8wG6v4
Boat sea fishing from the harbour: youtu.be/-7BJW_8_xMs
Davy Smyth on trawler fishing: youtu.be/tlpvA2jm9wc

Girl At Sea - Tall Ship Crew (interview at Belfast Harbour with ship sailing scenery)

Irelandscapes 2023-06-13 | This interview took place in September 2022 at the Marina section of Belfast Harbour where the Phoenix and Leader traditional sailing ships moored on the same jetty, forming an impressive scene, quite in contrast to the very modern buildings in this city centre setting. Kezia was kind enough to provide an interview and and a walk round the decks of Phoenix. We susequently filmed this ship at various sections along Belfast Lough from that time and this short film is the result.

Other irelandscapes films about tall ships:

Phoenix captain interview: youtu.be/A8knN-22FME
Phoenix at sea, with trad Irish sailor shanty: youtu.be/UDNC5Brb2PU
Leader, a Brixham Trawler: youtu.be/HcpKN26IY8M
Grace O'Malley - an Irish training tall ship: youtu.be/vKPPsJC3lhY