About

Hi, I’m Val Robus, I’m a photographer, social media manager and writer.

I’m passionate about Sligo and Ireland. I’m also very interested in travel, adventures, food, exploring and events for both tourists and locals to enjoy. I like to support local businesses whenever I can, and I will feature them occasionally on my blog. In 2018 I co-founded a website called Sligo Hub which is now under new ownership since January 2021.

I’ve won two social media awards for my Sligo campaigns, and I’ve started a Facebook group called The Heart of Sligo, where I share events and news and members share their photos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/629377254754950

I work part-time at Momentum (educate and innovate), based in Leitrim. Our team works on a wide variety of projects including Erasmus+ projects, I also look after Taste Leitrim as part of my job.

Having had bouts of depression and anxiety, I’m passionate about mental health awareness and have been a guest of Claire Byrne Live and also have written an article for The Journal.

I’ve recently discovered a love of art and painting.

If you like what I do and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://ko-fi.com/magnumlady
If you would be interested in teaming up with me and sponsoring the blog, or would be interested in a featured post please email me valrobus@gmail.com.

Awards

Photography

Featured in the Accuweather Calendar
Finalist in several RTE weather photo competitions
Runner-up in the Camera Club photo competition on Ireland AM
Winner of the #Tweetiepic award at the Inaugural RaboTweetie awards
Photography featured on National TV and in National Newspapers
Listed in the DailyEdge 25 Irish Instagram Accounts that should be followed in 2015.
Runner-up in the Biodiversity Smartphone Snapper photography competition in 2015 and 2016.
In 2013 I took a photo that went viral, and I ended up trending on twitter! Here is the photo:
Snowy Sligo

Social Media/Blogging/Writing 
Finalist at the Blog Awards Ireland in 2012 and the Irish Blog Awards in 2010.
Articles published in Woman’s Way, Go Wild Magazine and Ireland Before You Die.
Finalist of the 2018 Blog Awards Ireland for Sligo Hub
Winner of the Sockies Social Media Awards for the Love your County campaign 2021
Winner of the Spirit of Sligo Award in the Sligo County Council Cathaoirleach’s Awards
Silver Winner of the Sockies Social Media Awards 2022
Winner of the Sockies Social Media Awards 2023

Exhibitions

April 2015 – ‘I Met Spike’ Solo Photographic Exhibition – Holborn Street, Sligo

July 2015 – ‘Wild Atlantic Wayfarer’ Solo Photographic Exhibition – Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo

May 2018 – Art Wall. Solo Photographic Exhibition at St. John’s Community Hospital, Sligo

July 2018 – Part of the Cairde Visual Exhibition at The Model, Sligo

September 2021 – Solo art exhibition at SG Art, Sligo

September 2021 – Guest Artist at The Weir Gallery, Sligo

2022 –  Solo art exhibition at Sligo Folk Park, Riverstown

November 2023 – The Hands of Sligo – solo exhibition at Tubbercurry Community Library. Part of the Local Project and Exhibition at The Gate Lodge, Sligo. You can read more about it here.

Clients

Photography clients include:

Sligo Tourism, Sligo Arts Services, Sligo Youth Theatre, So Sligo Food Festival, Sligo Food Trail, Sligo Tidy Towns, Taste Leitrim, Sligo Volunteering Centre, Sligo Now Magazine, Sligo PPN, Cairde Arts Festival, Culture Night Sligo, Discover Enniscrone, The National Famine Way.

Writing clients include:

Sligo Now Magazine, Taste Leitrim, Colleen Irish Travel, Fit Fun Adventures, The National Famine Way, Visit Roscommon.

Social media clients include:

Women’s Inspire Network
Sligo PPN
Fit Fun Adventures
Creative Heartlands

All images and posts are copyright. If you want to use any of my images please ask.

You can contact me at valrobus@gmail.com

72 thoughts on “About”

Add yours

    1. Dear Val,

      I have looked at almost all your pictures on Accuweather. They are so beautiful. I am taking the time to write to you and let you know I believe you should be in the top ten. I will have to write people I know to vote for you.

      Keep the great work going. You have a gift.

      Reply

  2. You left a very kind comment on my blog which I have only just seen
    I am so sorry for your loss and please use me as a listening ear for your memories or to rage or whatever. You now have my email. Take very good care of yourself in this difficult period. I have to say I love your Dad’s face. Hope you see it reflected in your children

    Reply

  3. Hello Val.

    What a delightful and sensitive blog you write and so far, I haven’t seen any ramblings at all. Thank you for visiting my blog and posting a kind comment. Like you I’m new to this and it can get very emotional and I now firmly believe that it can be a good cathartic exercise.

    Your photographs are wonderfully composed and full of lovely colour. By sheer coincidence I am reading a superb novel set mainly in Sligo and is the narrative tale of a lady in an asylum and her psychiatrist who is caring for her, it’s called The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry – recommended.

    May I wish you luck with your blog and good luck for the future.

    Steve

    Reply

    1. Hello Steve,

      Thanks for your kind comment. I agree with the blog being cathartic.

      I have heard of The Secret Scripture….I really should read it.

      Take care,
      Val

      Reply

  4. Hi Val, thanks for dropping by my site, thanks for the comment,
    Are you in Sligo Camera Club if not you should join up.

    regards
    colin

    Reply

  5. Hey there,
    I came accross your Food Glorious food set on Flicker, yummy! Fab photos. I love your writings on your blog too. Keep up the good work!

    Reply

  6. Thanks for commenting on my blog! Can’t wait to have a look around yours, but I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen so far!

    Take care,
    Kim

    Reply

  9. Hi Val – it was lovely to chat to you on twitter – and I just love your pictures. The colours and the titles that you give them. I just wish I was good at photography – maybe one day!!!! Have voted for you on facebook – looking good. Good luck.

    Reply

  10. Hi,
    I Like your photos,but, I’m intrigued by your association with the Jersey Bar!
    My grandfather owned it and My Mother used to live upstairs in it!! I have relations in sligo and coolaney,If you know anymore about the pub could you let me know!!!

    Reply

  11. Hey Val,

    Just wanted to say that I really love your blog, and your flickr is brilliant 🙂

    I was just wondering if you could drop me an email? Just wanted to pass something by you 🙂

    Thanks!

    Reply

  12. Hi Val, just said I’d write a few lines to say hello! And thanks for the comment on my blog (re: giveaway) It is great to meet other bloggers here in Ireland, and I’m looking forward to a “good ‘aul read” of your posts!!
    Hope you are well, and keeping warm! Emily X

    Reply
  13. Pingback: 2010 in review « Magnumlady's Blog

  14. Hello! I just happened to search Sligo in google and your blog came across!
    I wanted to tell you that your blog is very nice, keep on the good work!

    Greetings from Mexico 😉

    Reply

  17. Hello there! I LOVE your photos, you have a fabulous eye for what will look good through the lens of a camera. I have a page on Facebook; my main aim being to promote Ireland as a tourist destination and I am always looking for beautiful photos of Ireland for that purpose. I used one of yours recently (found it on Google Images, apologies if I used it without permission, it said nothing about copyright). It was of an empty bench, in Autumn, beside what looks like a lake, taken in October 2007 (I think the same day you took a photo of your son running through Autumn leaves). A follower has asked me what the place is called and where it is … can you help me on this? Also, would it be OK with you if I use your beautiful photos in the future. They are certainly a perfect incentive for prospective visitors to Ireland. I look forward to hearing from you.

    Reply

    1. Hello, thanks for your message. Google has a bad habit of putting up my images without me knowing it. I had one end up in a National paper recently without my permission. I’m so glad you like the photos. I’d be grateful if you could let me know your Facebook page, I always hope that tourists might look at my photos and be inspired to come to Ireland. I’m pretty sure the photo is in Hazelwood Forest, Sligo but I won’t know for sure until I see it.

      Reply

  19. I came across your blog when I check weather conditions, maps and photos in Accuweather regularly. Your photos are very nice and usually colourful. Thanks so much for sharing them with the world. Now I know a bit more about daily life (food, pets, family) in Ireland. Someone told me to start one, since I do some writing I am a mature person and even the internet is a new deal for me, but I seem to be able to surf and learn new things all the time. Bye, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

    Reply

  20. Dear MagnumLady / Val ,

    I was startled to learn of someone else — your son Jono — who has both Aspergers Syndrome and advanced kyphosis. Do you know of any professional literature which addresses this comorbidity? I’ve not been able to find any, but I have long thought it could be more than coincidence that these two pathologies would overlap in any one person. Thanks for any insight you can give, and may your son thrive and prosper.

    (I don’t know that it has any bearing, but I have Irish ancestry.)

    Respectfully yours,

    Dean

    Reply

    1. Dear Dean,

      Thanks for your message. I have never heard of anyone with Asperger’s and Kyphosis so I really don’t know if it’s connected or not. We didn’t really get an answer about what caused Jono’s kyphosis, although his sister has mild scoliosis (Jono also has scoliosis). So I’m guessing it’s hereditary.

      I hope you are doing well. Jono is doing very well at the moment. He was really pleased to get his surgery as he was in severe pain before it. He still suffers with pain but at least he can breath OK now.

      Kind regards,
      Val

      Reply

  21. I am send Christmas and New Year’s Greetings to you and your family in Sligo from out in Alberta, Canada. It been so warm lately, will be plus 8 on Christmas Day, so there is NO snow this year. Usually, its -20 or worse by now. Haven’t seen any good weather photos from you in Accuweather, but since Ireland is ususally gray and misty this time of year, I can understand. Rocket is so nice and that photo of the man by the bridge (John) with the dog and rabbit really touched me. Thanks for that posting. Talk later in 2012.

    Reply

  22. Hi Val,

    I had to wish you and your family a jolly, happy St Patricks Day!
    The grass is still brown, but at least it not snowing today, but lots of folks wearing green, including myself. Office and bank workers did it yesterday already. Yes, they do have “green” beer and green shakes at McDonalds.

    John Berry

    Reply

  25. Hi Val, I am FilbertSheep from IG and found your blog while looking up information on Sligo. Your photos are terrific and I am enjoying your “waffling.” I am moving from Oregon to Ireland in March & am searching for a place to settle. All the best, Marianne

    Reply

  26. Hello

    I have looked at the picture of the village store you took in Dunmoran as detailed below
    This photo was taken on January 16, 2009 using a Panasonic DMC-FZ30.

    I am researching my ancestry, and was so pleased to find this picture. My mothers dad’s father William Breheney was born in Yorkshire, but his father Patrick BREHENEY either lived there, or his brother did, or both at one point. Patrick obvioulsy left to live in Yorkshire, and his brother stayed behind to run the shop. Records show two fishing boats still registered in the BREHENEY name in the area up until 2007.

    I don’t suppose you know any history on the shop, or the Breheneys.

    Also I would like to ask whether you do any paid work, as you seem to like to take pictures of derelict building.

    On my mothers maternal side, the GAVAN’s in Sligo, there is a derelict family home I can only see from a rough track on google street view, and want to get a proper picture of the derelict house. If you do, I could email you the map for its exact loacation, but would need an email address

    Your thoughts

    Mark

    Reply

    2. Hi Mark,
      my name is Rainer, I live in Skreen and I pass every wek a derelict house that used to be a shop of Peter Breheney. It is the first house on the road to Dunmoran Strand. After the property tax was released someone took away the sign with the name from the frontdoor.
      I think, i have a photo of that.
      Rainer

      Reply

  28. Its St Patricks Day, again–tomorrow. Are you and the family doing anything special? I have noticed so many recipes for soda bread, cabbage, corned beef and, of course, green beer. Thats about the only thing green out here–with temeratures around -12 Celsius for a high. Have a great day in Sligo, and good luck. JB

    Reply

    1. Thanks JB. I’m going to the Sligo parade, that’s about it. No one in Ireland actually eats corned beef and cabbage, it’s bacon and cabbage here. I’m not a fan though so we’ll have something else 🙂 Hope you have a good day, Val

      Reply

  31. Just letting you know that you can update any events around Sligo that are happening onto the http://www.discoversligo.ie website by just clicking on Events on the right hand corner of the page. Well done with the blog and keep it coming 🙂 From: Discover Sligo Magazine

    Reply

  32. Hi Val
    Read your Aerial Photography blog just now & just loved it. Totally buy into your enthusiasm for the aerial view……so exciting. Great blog & look forward to reading more

    Reply

  33. Hi Val,

    your blog is one of my favourites! 🙂
    As you have already visited my blog, you may have seen the recurring topic 10 Statements. Here is a link to my post covering Amanda Staley’s 10 Statements. http://mytrainofthoughtson.wordpress.com/2013/11/30/10-statements-amanda-staley/
    You can send me as many photos as you like, provide a brief bio, your personal motto, and – complete the 10 statements.
    If you are interested, I would love to publish your 10 Statements.

    Reply

  35. Hi Val. Great work on covering the local Saint Patrick’s Day Parades, you captured the spirit well. Well done ! Jim.

    Reply

  37. Hi,
    I am only after coming across your blog & spent she’s going through each of the categories… It’s brilliant, really love it.
    I am living in Sligo too for the past five years & am an art teacher/columnist & artist. Iv started blogging but mainly on Facebook as a hobby, my page is http://www.facebook.com/zaramcdaidart if you’d like to check it out.
    Keep up the great work & I look forward to reading more 🙂 xo

    Reply

  41. Hello, would you put a link to Easkey.ie on facebook please. It tells people whats happening in Easkey and its surrounding area. Thanks

    Reply

  42. Val, would you be able to add a Search widget to your blog?
    I’d like to see if you visited Limerick at any time, as I have a great-great-great grandmother who was born in that area, as were her parents, grandparents, etc.
    Specifically, some of them had their baptisms recorded at the Parish at Rathskeale, but I haven’t been able to find much online about that particular place. Maybe it doesn’t exist anymore.
    Kate
    P.S. You can reply via email to stubblejumperscafe@gmail.com if you like. Thank you!

    Reply

  43. Hiya Kate… I live about 20 miles from Rathkeale, County Limerick… on the west side of the county..population 1,800….if you google it you will get information on the town…it is situated on the N21 road to Kerry…you were spelling it wrongly… it’s RATHKEALE…
    A very good site to look up your ancestors is:

    civil records.irishgenealogy.ie .. good luck with your search ☘️
    Phil Mc Namara
    Limerick

    Reply

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