Cork 2005

Older visitors will recognise this poster if they were around Cork in 2005 when the city was “European Capital of Culture”.

This poster was draped over the city library, and I was very lucky to capture a tour bus as it drove past on a fine June day, exactly 17 years ago today.


Apertureƒ/7.1
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length55mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/100s

Cars dumped in a field

Near the Inniscarra Dam on the River Lee I went walking one afternoon in March 2005. Apart from the gorgeous scenery and the rolling hills and lovely fluffy clouds of a bright day I spotted two cars dumped in a field.

The Ford Escort license plate was “70 NZB” but I couldn’t see the other car’s plate. I presume they’re long gone now.

If they were dumped nowadays they’d probably sell for more second hand than new…


Apertureƒ/3.5
CameraCYBERSHOT
Focal length9.7mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/125s

The NRP Comandante João Belo (F480) in Cork

Back in 2005 many naval ships visited Cork Harbour and one of them was the NRP Comandante João Belo. According to this Wikipedia page it was sold to Uruguay but in 2005 it flew the colours of the Portuguese Navy.

You can find out more about this particular ship here but you’ll have to translate it to English if your Portuguese isn’t up to scratch.

In the background is the “Port of Cork” sign and the buildings of the now demolished Cork Bonded Warehouse.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length55mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/1250s

Building on Carroll’s Quay

Building on Carroll's Quay
Building on Carroll's Quay

Way back in 2005 Carroll’s Quay in Cork looked quite different. The apartment block that sits there now was only half finished. The block behind it was nearing completion and what used to be a medical office was exposed to the elements when builders demolished half of that building.

Take a look at it in on Google Maps.


Apertureƒ/4.5
CameraCanon PowerShot A70
Focal length13.4375mm
ISO50
Shutter speed1/200s

Long Gone in Cork

Way back in 2005 before the Elysian was built. Look at all the buildings that are gone now:

  1. The warehouses in the foreground are gone.
  2. The Sextant was demolished last year.
  3. Cork Bonded Warehouses are gone a long time.
  4. In the far background many new buildings have gone up.

This view from the City Hall car park is no longer possible of course because the Elysian and new development along Alert Quay gets in the way. The new development is welcome but building more and more offices and hotels is a mistake. We need more residential development.


Apertureƒ/7.1
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length72mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/125s

Rukos Skateboard Air Time

Catching the air on a Rukos skateboard in Emmett Place, Cork. September 2005.

I published a few more photos here a couple of years ago. You’ll recognise the skateboarder in one or two of the images!


Apertureƒ/3.5
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length18mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/640s

The Ruins of Lebowskis

The Ruins of Lebowskis

Lebowskis on Marlboro Street in 2005. The Spyglass Tavern is now in this building I think if Google Maps is up to date. I wasn’t ever in Lebowskis and haven’t visited the Spyglass Tavern either.

Edit: The Atlas Bar is in that building now, not the Spyglass Tavern.


Apertureƒ/7.1
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length18mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/125s

The site of the Elysian

The Elysian now stands where this large empty space was in 2005. There used to be a post office there, but unfortunately I never got a photo of it before it was demolished. Anyone?

Off in the distance you can see the chimneys of old industries that are now long gone.

Aperture ƒ/6.3
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/125s