Patty McMahon spent much of her life connecting her island to the world, working the post office and tending the lighthouse. She was one of the last residents to leave in the 1970’s and now, at 99 years of age, she makes her way home. This final crossing of the Shannon Estuary carries Patty home to Scattery Island, Co. Clare, the place of her birth and her final rest. Surrounded by family and friends, the 'Last Islander' completes the circle, returning to the place she once knew by heart.

Maria Montcalm and Emma Rothwell, Dublin, enjoying "Hush Hour", a reading party for book lovers to bring their own books and read, at Sweet and Green Cafe during the Ennis Book Club Festival.

Eve McMahon gives it her all while playing with the Clarecastle/Ballyea Céilí Band at the Harvest Festival in Bunratty Castle.

Lightning interrupts an August day’s swimming at Lahinch, Co. Clare.

A silage bale blocks the entrance to Magowna House, Inch, Co. Clare, as local people stage a peaceful protest against the hotel’s use to house international protection applicants.

Bean an tí Magella Wilson keeping the freshly baked scones out of the reach of newly introduced Irish Wolfhounds who took up permanent residence on the grounds of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in July.

Ukrainian refugees Olena Paltsun and her daughter, Vavara Husarova, at the Hydro Hotel, Lisdoonvarna. Six weeks earlier, Olena lost her eldest daughter, Sophia, one of the first victims of the Russian invasion.

Artist Emma Brennan creating a unique performance work at Glor theatre, Ennis with the theme “Eggs and Butter – the strength and resilience of Women in rural areas”.

An old cottage near Portumna, Co. Galway.

The reed cutter

Jimmy and Colm at the Family Garage, Knockrooskey, Co. Mayo

Josef’s story gained attention through his appearance before a District Court Judge where it was discovered that he and his friend Piotr Baram were living in public toilets in Ennis, Co. Clare. They had come to Ireland for work during the boom, but the economic downturn coupled with chronic alcoholism left them homeless. They were not entitled to Social Welfare but relied on the kindness of strangers. After a brief time in emergency accommodation in Galway they returned to Ennis where, within a month, Josef died alone in a laneway. His friend Piotr is still homeless in Ennis.

In the days following the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster, 99 % of the land of Belarus was contaminated to varying degrees by radioactive fallout. A quarter of a century on, the costs to those living in the region are widespread. A generation later, children are being born with birth defects, heart problems and thyroid cancer. High unemployment and poverty is putting pressure on family life. Social problems and domestic abuse are widespread. Today, there are about 7 million people living with the physical and psychological legacy of this man made disaster

As Winter slowly gives way to Spring Pilgrims continue the ancient tradition of Celebrating the feast of St Bridget and visiting her Holy Well high above the Atlantic Shore on the Clare Coast. Traditional prayer rounds along a winding path through the trees to the stone Cross culminate with many leaving offerings and petitions as well as drinking the water from the Well.

Watching the action at a People in Need Telethon fundraising event in the village of Kilmihil, Co. Clare.

Brothers Willie and Lee Heggarty, Charleville Co Cork with their Shetland pony at Ballinasloe horse fair, Co Galway.

James Landale (7), Dublin, following music teacher Vincent McMahon, at the Willie Clancy Summer School, Milltown Malbay, Co. Clare

Flan McNamara, scorekeeper, Cusack Park, Ennis, Co. Clare. Plans are underway to develop Cusack Park commercially and build a new GAA grounds outside the town

Brendan Stewart is one of the few remaining reed cutters still harvesting along the Bunratty reed beds on the Shannon Estuary. This backbreaking work involves the reed being harvested after the first frosts, which strip all the leaves off the reed leaving a golden stem five to seven feet in height. A roof thatched using water reed can last up to 40 years in Ireland. In recent years imported reed from Eastern Europe has taken its toll on the numbers keeping the tradition here alive.

Gentlemen make use of the facilities at Muff Horse Fair,Co Cavan.

Michael Tynan, Birr, Co Offaly awaiting a buyer as the day draws to an end at Spancilhill Horse Fair, Co Clare.

The week of my uncle’s passing and time seems to have stood still in his home.

Megan Sweeney getting help with her earings before her first Holy Communion. She was being filmed for the TV series "A Travellers Life for Me".

Four generations of the Talty family making their life on the family farm on the Atlantic Coast at Caherrush, Co. Clare. With Great-Grandfather Michael Talty’s vast experience of the seaweed industry they produce a range of handharvested, air and sun-dried sea vegetables from the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Having started with traditional Irish Dillisk and Carrageen, they have expanded the range with several other vegetables such as Nori, Atlantic Wakame, Kombu among others. They have found a following, not just in Ireland, and now export as far-a-field as the Asian market.

In the small West Clare Village of Kilmurry McMahon, The "American Wake", a traditional send off for those emigrating, is revived for the first time in over 100 years. Emigration is once again a fact of lfe in rural communities and in this small region of West Clare over 60 young people have left in the last year. They are not going to America this time but are seeking other destinations, from Sydney and Melbourne to Toronto and Vancouver. These are just some of the estimated 50,000 young Irish people per year compelled to seek a better life abroad.

Scenes from the unprecedented flooding that devastated the Country in 2009.

A Boy and his Pony at one of Europe's oldest Horse Fairs, Ballinasloe, Co Galway.

Tired after a day at Ballinasloe Horse Fair, Co. Galway.

Patients from the Mogilev region of Belarus who for a quarter of a Century have suffered the effects of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster.

Shell to Sea protestors and Gardai clash on the "day of action", organised at the site of the proposed Shell plant, at Ballanaboy, Co. Mayo

An Elderly Lady watches the Clare V Tipperary U21 Football match through the gates of Cooraclare GAA pitch,Co Clare.

Christmas Eve, 21st Birthday balloons fly over the grave of one of three young men killed in a car crash at Ballinrobe, Co Mayo in November.

Facilitating a bit of equine matchmaking, at the Ballinasloe Horse Fair, Co. Galway.

Nuns of the enclosed order of Poor Clare in Ennis, Co Clare, watch the funeral of Pope John Paul II on television in April 2005

A man and his horse head home in the evening, from the Ballinasloe Horse Fair.

Children and their horse enjoy the August sunshine during Puck Fair, Killorglin, Co Kerry, in 2005

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern contemplates his next move on the day allegations of the Manchester payments unfold

Pilgrims perform barefoot rounds of the Penitential Beds at Lough Derg, Co Donegal, in 2004

Paddy Gleeson of O'Callaghan's-Mills, Co Clare, celebrates his 100th birthday in May 2004 with the distinction of having voted in every General Election since the foundation of the State in 1922

Nora Mongans and her son Jason peer out of the tent in which they and Jason's seven siblings slept when their caravan was destroyed by fire at Lahinch, Co Clare, in November 2003

A pilgrim takes part in three days of prayer, penance and self-denial at St Patrick's Purgatorial Island, Lough Derg, Co Donegal, in 2004

Greg and Tina Downey from California, USA, have their marriage blessed by the Church of Ireland rector Reverend Bob Hanna at the Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare, in spring 1998

Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson perform at the University Concert Hall, Limerick, in February 1993

Clare footballers, mentors and fans celebrate at the end of the Munster Championship final at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, in July 1992, their team having achieved a rare victory over the perennial champions Kerry