Thurmont photographer Dave Reid showcases the castles of Ireland in new book

The boy who grew up in Ceresville Mansion found himself awestruck by another architectural wonder as an adult: the castles of Ireland.

Of course, the historic Frederick site that Dave Reid called home was a little different in those days. His father, a radiologist who raised sheep as a hobby, bought the home in 1958.

“Back in that day, you could be outside for 45 minutes to an hour and not see a car go by,” said Reid, who now lives in Thurmont with his wife. “I tell people I grew up with a rifle in one hand and a fishing pole in the other, and I wouldn’t trade that kind of childhood for any other in the world.”

A retired surveyor with a longtime interest in photography, Reid’s fascination with castles began 20 years ago during a trip he took to Sanqukar, Scotland, where his great-great-grandfather was from. He traveled to the small village for his 50th birthday and shortly thereafter made a trip to Ireland in 2007. That’s when he fell in love with the landscapes, culture and castles of the Emerald Isle — and photographing them.

“It’s an extraordinarily beautiful country,” he said.

He has since taken 13 trips to Ireland, with another one planned for next spring. Each time, he drove the countryside, camera in hand, eventually amassing photos of about 250 castles over the years, 175 of which were chosen for the book “A Collection of Irish Castles” (Dorrance Publishing), which came out this spring.

The cover image shows Leap Castle, considered to be the most haunted castle in the world, he said. He first saw it in 2011 but returned more recently with his wife for a full tour (and more photos).

“For years, people had been telling me to do something with these photos,” he said.

Reid’s interest in photography grew after his first wife gave him a Canon 35mm camera for Christmas one year, and Reid began photographing Civil War sites, from Florida to Vermont to Texas.

Meanwhile, with so many photographs of Ireland, Reid plans to put together a second book in the future that showcases the beauty of Ireland, from its villages to landscapes to culture.

Lauren LaRocca is the editor of 72 Hours. You can reach her at [email protected], or follow her on Instagram @karmarocca.