McClure, Glen. The West of Ireland by Glen McClure.

Self-published artist's book, 1996. Softcover, French wraps, 12 pages, with cutout to show photo. Black-and-white photos by the Norfolk, Virginia, photographer with poems by W.B. Yeats. Gift letter signed by McClure laid in. No copies found for sale on Internet. McClure published a hardcover book in 2020, Apprentice to Light: The West of Ireland. Fine. Summary:

The West of Ireland is an evocative photographic collection by American photographer Glen McClure. The project serves as a deeply personal visual love letter to the rugged terrain, atmospheric weather, and distinct community of Ireland's Atlantic coast.

Key Focus Areas

• The Dramatic Landscapes: The collection focuses heavily on the raw, unpopulated terrain of western Irish counties like Mayo, Donegal, Sligo, and Clare. McClure’s imagery captures the region's defining natural features—including the soaring Minaun Cliffs, rolling boglands, tidal pools, and the iconic peak of Croagh Patrick—emphasizing how the terrain meets the sea.

• The Study of Light and Weather: True to its expanded title, the core theme of the work is the fleeting, unpredictable quality of Irish weather. The photographs document dramatic shifts in atmosphere, tracking sweeping sea mists, low-slung rain clouds, and the brilliant, sudden bursts of sunlight that cut through storms to illuminate the coastline.

• The Interwoven Poetic Context: In its original incarnation, the portfolio paired McClure's stark black-and-white images directly with classical poems by W.B. Yeats. This artistic choice frames the landscapes not just as geographical sites, but as mythic, romantic spaces deeply tied to Irish literary history.

• Cultural and Human Elements: While heavily focused on the natural environment, the project also celebrates local culture and community life. McClure integrates portraits of regional figures—such as turf cutters and local farmers—alongside lively documentary images of the Dooagh and Clew Bay pipe bands marching during St. Patrick's Day celebrations on Achill Island.