Cybersecurity Specialist, podcaster, photographer, nature lover, keen cyclist, and open source developer.https://bsky.app/profile/bartb.iehttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mrev6yf7iy2mTyrconnell Tower in #CartonHouse near #Maynooth on a sunny summer afternoon.24 Jul 2026 08:02 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrev6yf7iy2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mrdjqa6slh25This seagull was kind enough to pose perfectly for me on the railings along the #RoyalCanal harbour in #Maynooth. #birds23 Jul 2026 19:04 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrdjqa6slh25https://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mrcvm5t5tx2dWhite flames of cloud over #Maynooth.23 Jul 2026 13:04 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrcvm5t5tx2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mraxr7wbzm2jThese stunningly fine-textured clouds caught my eye while out running an errand.22 Jul 2026 18:37 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mraxr7wbzm2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mrafgyigxa22A closer look at the line of remains of Kilteel Castle. The old gatehouse dominates the foreground, the very intact tower the background, a there are some other remains in between. #BlackAndWhite22 Jul 2026 13:09 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrafgyigxa22https://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mr7ua7z6w525The ruins of Kilteel Castle on the edge of the Dublin/Wicklow mountains. The main tower is visible on the horizon, the gatehouse in the foreground, and the remains of another building in the mid-ground. #BlackAndWhite22 Jul 2026 08:01 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr7ua7z6w525https://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mr5v4yz36t22On the way down from the Sally Gap we crossed a little stream on a narrow bridge. We only stopped because the better half spotted the stream's name on the map — it was the Liffey! Hard to believe this little trickle of water grows into the big lazy river flowing through the heart of Dublin City!21 Jul 2026 13:12 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr5v4yz36t22https://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mr3ysopb2h25After 45 minutes of unexpected expiration along tiny little mountain roads to divert around the wild fires we eventually made it to the Sally Gap, probably the most famous pass in the Wicklow Mountains.20 Jul 2026 19:12 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr3ysopb2h25https://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mr3bpgxz362pA small but inviting road in the Wicklow Mountains. This lovely little road was a fun accidental discovery thanks to road closures due to wild fires. We were in the mountains to kill some time anyway, so the diversion was a bonus little adventure.20 Jul 2026 12:19 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr3bpgxz362phttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mr2x7uwq7t2vI fell in love with the Polestar 2 on a test drive in the foothills of these mountains — it was lovely exploring the Wicklow Mountains in my own car 🙂 Nothing beats a good EV in the mountains — you still have acceleration available on the steepest slopes, and you gain back charge as you descend!20 Jul 2026 09:11 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr2x7uwq7t2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mqyn23lc7r2bTrouble on the horizon — a wild fire in the Wicklow mountains near Dublin. Just another sign of global warming really starting to bite this summer. Wasn't able to photograph it, but we had helicopters dropping water. It felt like news footage from another continent.19 Jul 2026 11:04 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqyn23lc7r2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mqyfu3hgkm2vThis pretty little flower growing wild along tue stream next to Parson St. in #Maynooth goes by the odd name "Old Man's Beard". I think it probably escaped from the old garden around the big old house opposite. #Bloomscrolling 19 Jul 2026 08:55 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqyfu3hgkm2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mqwd2vn2ns2pA summery view for the passengers on this #IrishRail InterCity service as it accelerates away from #Maynooth along the sun-soaked banks of the #RoyalCanal.18 Jul 2026 13:00 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqwd2vn2ns2phttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mqvs7w2pyc2dThis is what no counts as a cloudy day in Ireland. This El Niño summer sure has been something. I feel like my Irish home has been teleported to the Costa Blanca in Spain! Our houses were not designed for Spanish weather — we have some serious changes to make! 18 Jul 2026 07:58 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqvs7w2pyc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mpxmphenxu2nA perfect yellow water lily at Pike Bridge and "The Duke's Harbour" on the #RoyalCanal at the entrance to Carton House near #Maynooth. #Bloomscrolling 06 Jul 2026 08:00 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpxmphenxu2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mpssxdxq3q2yMost of the orchids that grow in the Irish countryside look similar enough to each other that I find them hard to ID confidently, but these Pyramidal Orchids are pleasingly distinctive, and of course, they're really beautiful wild #flowers 🙂 #Bloomscrolling04 Jul 2026 10:08 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpssxdxq3q2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mpqnojxojv2gA fascinating little Irish wild #flower named "selfheal", historically rubbed on wounds, and now known to have anti-inflammatory properties (https://www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail.php?id_flower=237)! #Bloomscrolling03 Jul 2026 13:29 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpqnojxojv2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mpq6zny7as2vThanks to @moultano.bsky.social I finally understand why my photos of forest greens always feel flat — the green I see CAN’T be captured by our cameras or shown on our screens! I don’t often finish long articles, but this one held as far as the “references”! https://moultano.wordpress.com/2026/06/19/where-to-find-the-colors-your-screen-cant-show-you/03 Jul 2026 09:06 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpq6zny7as2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mpoqshidkq26Finally finished my series for #RPSI "The Midlander" #steam #train specials on the 20th and 21st of June between Dublin and #Maynooth. Most of the trains were pulled by the beautiful blue loco No. 171 Slieve Gullion, but diesel loco 071 made a guest appearance! https://glass.photo/bbusschots/series/77zeUDsJK7QZEWv3Qx7kAm-2026-06-20-and-21-the-midlander 02 Jul 2026 19:19 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpoqshidkq26https://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mpo66ei66c2pThis final shot of former Great Northern Railway of Ireland (#GNRi) 4-4-0 #steam #train No. 171 Slieve Gullion working "The Midlander" along the #RoyalCanal in #Leixlip for the #RPSI took AGES to edit — loved the composition, but the light was TERRIBLE. Eventually got to this #BlackAndWhite version.02 Jul 2026 13:46 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpo66ei66c2phttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mph3t3ugvq26Former Great Northern Railway of Ireland (#GNRi) 4-4-0 steam loco No. 171 Slieve Gullion peaking around the sharp turn between the two #Leixlip stations with "The Midlander" special #steam #train for the #RPSI. Because there's no turntable in Maynooth anymore, the loco has to run tender-first.29 Jun 2026 18:15 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mph3t3ugvq26https://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mpeky573l52oAn #IrishRail Commuter train accelerating away from #Leixlip Confey station along the banks of the #RoyalCanal on a beautiful summer afternoon. 28 Jun 2026 18:08 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpeky573l52ohttps://bsky.app/profile/bartb.ie/post/3mpdxl75pzq2gFormer Great Northern Railway of Ireland (#GNRi) 4-4-0 #steam loco No. 171 Slieve Gullion pulling "The Midlander" #RPSI social #train around the turn between Matt Goff Bridge and the 13th lock along the #RoyalCanal in #Leixlip. #blackAndWhite28 Jun 2026 12:21 +0000at://did:plc:c3py6h3gt2urfjfso7a3olnf/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpdxl75pzq2g