Author: Donncha

  • A European Starling in Dún Laoghaire

    A starling perched on a railing in the seaside town of Dún Laoghaire watches the goings-on in the nearby café. Pickings will be slim today as the establishment is being renovated and is not serving customers today!


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7RM5
    Focal length240mm
    ISO320
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • The boats of Graiguenamanagh

    I haven’t been to Graiguenamanagh in Kilkenny very often, which is unfortunate as it’s a pretty town, but here’s a photo of some of the boats tied up on the river there from quite some time ago.


    Apertureƒ/10
    CameraCanon EOS 6D
    Focal length24mm
    ISO100
    Shutter speed1/200s

  • Mom and Calf

    A cow and her calf lying on the grass, enjoying the April sun in a field near Blarney Castle in 2022. So serene.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length600mm
    ISO250
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • Mirror of the Sky

    The sea became a mirror of the sky near Ballycotton last year when Blarney Photography Club visited.


    Apertureƒ/11
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length31mm
    ISO50
    Shutter speed1/6s

  • Palestinian Flags on the Street

    After the Pro Palestinian march walked past and down Oliver Plunkett Street in Cork. There is so much anger at what the Israeli army is doing in Gaza.

    How can anyone in their right mind support Netanyahu and his Government after all they’ve done? Hamas are terrorists, but Israel bombing cities and homes and hospitals to rubble and killing tens of thousands of people is not going to address their problems. They’re just laying the groundwork for a perpetual war that will never end.


    Apertureƒ/4.9
    CameraGalaxy S23 Ultra
    Focal length27.2mm
    ISO50
    Shutter speed1/270s

  • Reflections of the sky

    The sun had just set, and this lovely colour appeared in the sky for a few moments, almost exactly a year ago at Inniscarra.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length52mm
    ISO100
    Shutter speed1/2s

  • The Street is Leaning

    When your dog leans over so much that the world leans the other way.


    Apertureƒ/2.8
    CameraILCE-7RM5
    Focal length24mm
    ISO160
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • Ladies Cycling Happily

    A woman waves at me as she and her friends cycle through the streets

    The women on their group bicycle thingy pass by a parked bus

    In what seems like an eternity now, I photographed these ladies cycling along Eastcheap in London in June 2021. Hey, guess it gets you out in the fresh(ish) air and doing exercise before maybe going for a drink, or a lie down (zzzzz, too much exercise), later on.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length126mm
    ISO640
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • The South Main Street Construction Site

    The hoarding surrounding Bishop Lucey Park in Cork fits in with the construction site that is South Main Street currently. You’d have to wonder why did they bother putting up hoarding at all? All along the street, they’re working on it and even down Tuckey Street too.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7RM5
    Focal length24mm
    ISO1600
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • Heavy Seas on Dingle Streets

    A man carries a painting of the sea with visible waves crossing the water. He's walking along a road in Dingle while people walk towards him.

    Luckily, you’re unlikely to get sea sick just walking along the street in Dingle, even when someone walks past with a gorgeous photo of the sea.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length24mm
    ISO1600
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • The Captain likes Diet Coke

    Wearing a cap that says “Capitan”, and dressed as he is in shorts and then in a warm jumper, I had to photograph him as he stood outside McDonald’s on Daunt Square.

    I’m not sure what his name is, but I’ve seen him around Cork a few times since taking this photo last year.


    Apertureƒ/2.8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length24mm
    ISO100
    Shutter speed1/2000s

  • No Trolley Problem

    Ah, so, what’s the craic with the shopping trolleys in Cork supermarkets, you ask? Well, let me tell ya, they’re as much a part of the shopping experience as the Barry’s Tea in your basket.

    In Cork, like elsewhere, shopping trolleys are a staple in supermarkets, making the whole shopping experience a bit more manageable. However, there’s been some chatter about the deposit return scheme, where folks have been having a bit of a mare with the reverse vending machines. These machines sometimes refuse to take back bottles and cans bought from different stores, which has left a few shoppers scratching their heads and making extra trips.

    When it comes to the trolleys themselves, they’re generally well-equipped for the job. You can find a variety of them, from the standard metal ones to the more modern plastic versions that are lighter and easier to handle. These plastic trolleys are a bit of a godsend, being rust-proof and made from recyclable materials, which is grand for the environment.

    There’s also been the odd sighting of someone pushing multiple trolleys down the road, which is a bit of a head-scratcher and has raised a few eyebrows around town. But sure, that’s just part of the charm of living in Cork, where there’s always something to keep you entertained while you’re out doing the messages.

    Sometimes the AI can talk like a Corkonian. Things are looking up.

    (The photo above is of a supermarket in Valencia, but I’m sure they have similar problems with shopping trolleys. Hopefully, no ethical dilemmas, though.)


    Apertureƒ/4
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length35mm
    ISO5000
    Shutter speed1/500s