Through words and stunning images, the Emerald Isle is brought to life in 'Spectacular Ireland', a collection of more than 140 colour photographs by some of Ireland's best landscape photographers and text by Peter Harbison, one of Ireland's most distinguished voices and renowned archaeologists.

Photographs and commentary highlight some of the most beautiful towns and villages of Ireland.

Picture book of Ireland.

Island light is magical. And none more so than Ireland's. Ireland's light floods the landscape, luring the senses with a restless presence. The water surrounding and carving through the island reflects back to us the ever-changing movement of the wind-blown clouds and light. Stop for a minute and the settings change: what was straight is bent, light is dark, still is in motion. It is as though an unseen hand directs the wind, the clouds, and the light to harness our attention. Ireland: A Luminous Beauty is a collection of stunning full-color photographs by some of Ireland's finest landscape photographers with concise text blending history, myth, and a sense of place. Many of the photographs were taken in the early morning light or as the sun set. That hour after sunrise and before sunset, with the sun low in the sky, is known to photographers as the golden hour and favored for its soft, diffused light. We take a journey to one of the most beautiful places in the world. From the ancient stone monuments of the Boyne Valley to the treacherous stone steps of Skellig Michael; from the distinctive columns of the Giant's Causeway and the spectacularly sited Dunluce Castle ruins to lush, green countryside and fields of heather; from the limestone of the Burren (the rockiest part of Ireland) to exuberant stretches of flowers and gardens; from a moody sea and crashing surf to massive stone cliffs battered by the relentless pounding of the waves, and from steely rivers to tranquil lakes, it's all here. The Irish respond to this dramatic environment by transforming it into one that solidifies and enriches their own sense of place. We all have this instinct to create our own space, but the Irish have made an art of it. Through the ancient, natural, and cultivated landscapes, surrounded by history and legend, we discover and celebrate the spirit of Ireland and its luminous beauty.

The cities and towns of Ireland have a varied cultural history. The city of Kildare dates back to an abbey built by Irish patroness, St. Brigid in the 5th Century. In the mid-1500's, Henry VIII was given the title "King of Ireland". Ireland's stunning beauty includes the famous Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, towering high above the Atlantic Ocean. In Tipperary, the Rock of Cashel is a large citadel with the notable Cahir Castle overlooking the green countryside. This is where Saint Patrick first began his mission to spread Christianity in Ireland.

Ireland -- a land of remarkable light, rugged natural beauty, and warm people eager to share their rich heritage of music, folklore, literature, and history. For two decades, Ron Rosenstock's Ireland trips have earned a reputation as a wonderful exploration of the art of photography and of Ireland itself. This book contains twenty-six beautifully reproduced black-and-white photographs of land and seascapes from the West of Ireland. The introduction by Paul Caponigro echoes the spirit of the book.