Brian Beachum
Artist Statement
Ireland Photographic Adventure, March 2015
In March 2015, a group of photographers, including myself, ventured over to the Emerald Isle for a two-week long adventure along the western area of Ireland. Our group consisted of varied band of brothers, from an experienced, well-traveled fellow who had traversed Ireland many times to some who had never set foot on Irish soil before. One of those being yours truly. All-told, there were four of us that made the trip.
One of the high points of the trip, and there were several, was the fact that we would be in Ireland over the St. Patrick’s holiday period. We were about to experience it in a away I have never in the past. The “real” way in the old country with some mighty-fine folk. We spent St. Patrick’s Day on Achill Island, located on the northwestern coast of Ireland. One of the main subject areas of our photographic adventures was to hunt out and shoot in “the wild places” along the western shoreline. There was no lack of such locations. Silver Strand, White Strand, Doo Lough, Clew Bay, Downpatrick Head, and areas around Achill Island and the town of Westport.
The trip resulted in thousands of photographs and a few new friendships as well. Also, a new admiration for a country and its people. This may have been my first trip to the Emerald Isle, but it will not be my last.