Go niche

FANCY BRINGING out your inner Éamon de Buitléar? Anyone raised on his wonderful Amuigh Faoin Spéirprogrammes (time for some re-runs, surely?) might be interested to find out about the Wildlife Film School based in Union Hall, west Cork.

It has no connection to de Buitléar at all, it must be pointed out, save perhaps the fact that both are devoted to our native – and visiting – creatures.

Throughout the winter, the Wildlife Film School runs residential and non-residential workshops covering all aspects of wildlife photography and video film-making, including editing and sound recording. Courses cater for both novices and experienced alike, and include an assessment of how best to commercialise your interest.

If the group element of it doesn’t appeal to you, you can opt for a two-day, one-to-one tuition workshop, to bring you up to speed faster. These are run not just in winter but throughout the year, by appointment.

With these tutors you cover not just wildlife but landscape and seascape photography, with specialist classes on how to capture fast-moving creatures and a tailor-made combination to suit you can be devised.

Courses are run in a variety of locations including Killarney National Park, Gougane Barra, Rosscarbery and Timoleague estuaries, Sheeps Head, Cape Clear Island and Glandore. So, even if you don’t turn out to be a gifted photographer, you’ll have spent time in some of our most scenic spots.

Not cheap mind you – a two-day personalised workshop, including BB and packed lunches, costs €1,190. Still, the skills will last you a lifetime.

thewildlifefilmschool.com