Beacons
Daragh Muldowney

Lake Baikal in Siberia is the oldest and largest freshwater lake on the planet. In winter, temperatures drop as low as -40°C and the lake becomes a vast frozen plain. Crossing the lake can be a hazardous journey as the ice comes under huge pressure causing it to either break apart exposing the frigid water below or crush together creating large jagged hummocks. To help travellers across the ice, the locals mark out an ice road by drilling holes and ‘planting’ small pine trees that act as markers, ‘beacons’ guiding the way. Captivated by the surreal beauty of these beacons, Irish photographer Daragh Muldowney returned to Lake Baikal over three winters in the hope of documenting them. Their organic forms emerging from the mist or appearing unexpectedly on the distant horizon, each tree is a benign presence in an otherwise barren world, offering hope and safe passage. ¹

Daragh Muldowney’s interest in photography originally developed, when he completed a Scuba Diving course in 1992, where he was awe struck by the experience of being under water. Life under the sea seemed like another world, where he made an instant connection with the elements. He is a photographer who focuses mainly on the natural world and has been active since 2002. ²

Dúlra Photography is Darragh Muldowney’s own photographic organisation.