Helios in the Cathedral

Some more photos of Helios in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral earlier this month when I visited there with members of Blarney Photography Club. Apart from the photographing the art installation, it was nice to walk around the Cathedral and see it.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length105mm
ISO200
Shutter speed1/3s

Bicycles and Banter on Castle Street

I interrupted a conversation in process when I took this photo, as the man on the bike noticed me. I don’t think I’ve seen his since I took this photo in March, 2021.


Apertureƒ/3.5
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO250
Shutter speed1/500s

A Splash of Yellow and Red

A couple sitting at an outdoor table in a little café in Athens, Greece about a year ago. Their body language couldn’t be more different, and every time I look at this image, I wonder what they were talking about.

Their roles in this conversation are opposed. He appears relaxed and confident, while she is reserved, nervous, maybe defensive?


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO1250
Shutter speed1/500s

Three for Ten: A Pub Special

Outside the Vicarstown Bar, a man in a suit pauses at the threshold, engrossed in his newspaper before stepping fully inside. The chalkboard out front boasts a tempting “3 for 10 Handsum IPA” offer, hinting at the lively sessions that await within.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length16mm
ISO160
Shutter speed1/500s

Up Close with a Tawny Owl

At the PolskaEire Slavic Festival in Cork yesterday, owls were part of the festival, with kids getting a chance to hold one, much to their delight.

The tawny owl, featured prominently in the foreground, is known for its distinctive “twit-twoo” call, which is actually a duet between a male and female—one calls “twit” and the other replies “twoo.”


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length240mm
ISO1000
Shutter speed1/500s

The Shakey Bridge is Gone!

In 2019, Cork’s riverside scene took on a rare and almost surreal quality as the beloved Shakey Bridge, or Daly’s Bridge, vanished for the first time since 1927. Locals strolling along the Lee were greeted not by the familiar wobbly walkway, but by its ornate white tower standing alone, flanked by colourful houses and lush gardens. The river, ever calm, mirrored the absence and the anticipation, while the city buzzed with stories of the bridge’s famous shake and the engineers’ promise to bring it back just as lively as ever.

The bridge is back now, and we visited recently. It still has its famous shake!

It’s the only suspension bridge in Cork City and the only surviving pedestrian suspension bridge of its kind and age in Ireland.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length57mm
ISO125
Shutter speed1/125s

Madness in Cork

We went to see Madness play in Virgin Media Park last night. They were supported by Cork band, The Frank and Walters, and Ocean Colour Scene.

We arrived early because we wanted to see The Frank and Walters, and it was great to get in before the place filled up. The support bands were great and we really enjoyed their music.

Madness? Maybe I was expecting too much, or built it up in my head because they have some cracking tunes? I thought they could have been better. We danced to their hits, but they had a lot of deep cuts that had the crowd wondering what was going on. There was a lot of banter which didn’t always hit home with the crowd.

I did appreciate them mentioning Queen. I thought we’d get a short cover of one of their songs, but it wasn’t to be!

I paid for my ticket. Apparently, they had to give away a good bunch of them. 🙁


Apertureƒ/4.9
CameraGalaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length27.2mm
ISO64
Shutter speed1/50s

The Family Shenanigans in Cork, part 4

The girls of the Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance on the Grand Parade, Cork at the end of the Family Shenanigans parade last Sunday. What fabulous performers they all are!


Apertureƒ/11
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO1250
Shutter speed1/1000s