Sentinel | Kelly O'Leary

"Traversing the Irish countryside in Summer, Sentinel, was captured near the stunning Old Head of Kinsale in County Cork. After taking in the magnificent views beyond the jagged sea cliffs, we set off back to toward the mainland, traveling a narrow, winding rural road. Lush pastures, farm fields, and vegetation were at their height and seemingly enveloped everything in sight so much so, I barely spotted this stunning structure, but spying just a sliver of its extraordinary stonework peering through the abundant landscape prompted coming to a precariously abrupt stop on the side of the road. My heartbeat was swift as I slowly approached the grounds on foot, it was far more beautiful than I thought it would be, dilapidated but still flawlessly resplendent. The textures and rhythm created by the stacked stones seemed married to the landscape, the antiquated structure sat firmly nestled among swaying flaxen grasses and rambling flowering vines, ochre lichen clinging to its sides only adding to its charm. The farm field sitting just behind quickly terminates where the sea cliffs begin, the ocean mist swimming in the air provided a gauzy veil in the distance. This hidden gem, this stunning relic, peers into the wild Atlantic, standing as sentinel to the sea."
~Kelly O'Leary