Cone and Barrow

A workman lifts his wheelbarrow on Grand Parade, Cork a few weeks back.

No more Fred photos yet, I’ve been way too busy, and we’re headed to the Spiegeltent tonight to see Mick Flannery so tomorrow will be another street shot!

Aperture ƒ/7.1
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/400s

The Tin Pub in Ahakista

The Tin Pub in Ahakista

One of the highlights of Ahakista in Co. Cork is the Tin Pub set in the middle of an area lush with vegetation, flowers, trees and lovely West Cork Scenery.

Jacinta visited here several years ago with her friend Mary when they had a picnic in the back garden. We did the same, after asking the family who own the building. You see, the pub wasn’t open yet, but then Tom had a wedding the previous night and finished work at 4am. Shortly after we made ourselves comfortable outside and had poured our tea he showed up and smiled when he saw our picnic.

After our picnic we got chatting to Paul and Cath, who are over from Cornwall for a week. Over a pint we soon got lost in the easy going atmosphere of the pub and before we knew it time had caught up with us and we had to make the journey home.

Despite Pete McCarthy’s assertion that driving down a road with grass in the middle means you’re going the wrong way, you should try the “alternative route” to Ahakista. When you leave Bantry take the first turn right to Sheepshead and you’ll see it sign posted a few miles down the road. Go slowly, because others use the road, but the scenery is amazing. If it wasn’t for the fact that we were late leaving home, I would have stopped several times to shoot landscapes.

I can’t remember the last time I was in this part of the world, but the beautiful scenery and laid back way of life means I’ll be back!

Aperture ƒ/4
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 1600
Shutter speed 1/15s

Fat Boy Harley

Harleys in Blarney

The 15th annual H.O.G. Rally took place this weekend in Killarney, Co. Kerry. 10,000 Harley Davidson riders were expected. For the last few days I’ve seen Harleys around Cork sporting flags from all over Europe.

Here are two of them on their way back, pictured in Blarney! Jacinta and I were going to the local shop when 2 couples riding on these beautiful bikes drove past. I had to grab my camera ask them to pose for a shot or two! For once I was in a photo because they invited us to sit on their bikes for a photo.

Phil – I hope you like the photos, I’ll send you on a couple of other shots too!

Aperture ƒ/8
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/125s

Bonfire Night

Sofa Burning
Bonfire night.. adding fuel to the fire
Fire Brigade arrive

It was Bonfire Night in Cork yesterday. It’s celebrated on St. John’s Eve and there have been bonfires lit in Cork for as long as I remember. Not all parts of the country celebrate the night, and I heard on the radio 2 days ago that there may be a by-law passed in Cork banning the lighting of bonfires that night because of the danger to people, property and the fire services.
Unfortunately each year the fire services are attacked with rocks and other weapons when they go to certain areas of the city.

Aperture ƒ/9
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 179mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/400s

De-construction on Grand Parade

The construction site that is the Grand Parade right now but it will soon look like Patrick’s Street with broad pavements, paving and those flag bearing poles that are so prominent on our main thoroughfare.

No Fred photos today, I haven’t had time to work on any. Expect more next week!

Aperture ƒ/5.6
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 800
Shutter speed 1/2500s

Fred The Band in the Spiegeltent

Fred played in the Spiegeltent on Tuesday night and as usual put on a great show! Their show is energetic and wild and brilliant!

More photos tomorrow!

Edit: Donal has great photos of the night. Go look!

Aperture ƒ/3.5
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 1600
Shutter speed 1/40s

Brendan O’Carroll enjoying his break

Irish comedian Brendan O’Carroll, also known as Mrs. Brown, enjoys his break during yesterday evening’s performance of Good Mourning Mrs Brown.

We were on our way to see Fred play in the Spiegeltent which is situated in front of the Opera House when we noticed a group of people outside the back entrance of the same building. After we passed, Jacinta realised who it was and we hurried back and made our introductions.
Brendan was very nice to us, he introduced his lovely wife, and posed for a photo with Jacinta and this shot. Hopefully he’ll remember the address of this blog, I really have to get cards printed!

Aperture ƒ/4.5
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/50s

Sunset at Drake’s Pool

We took Oscar and ourselves for a walk in Drake’s Pool last Sunday. We arranged to meet Donal and Celine there.

While the girls enjoyed a leisurely walk, us guys trailed after them making photos of everything!

Drake’s Pool is just outside Crosshaven, and is named for Sir Francis Drake.

Aperture ƒ/22
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 20mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/500s

Luigi Malones

A long exposure shot in Luigi Malones Restaurant in Cork catches some of the hectic activity during lunch hour.

Aperture ƒ/22
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 5s

The Commodore Hotel

The Commodore Hotel in Cobh, built in 1854, is an attractive hotel sitting on the main road of the town. Inside, the old world decoration of the lobby, restaurant and bar are inviting.

Aperture ƒ/10
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/250s

Please Recycle

Empty beer can on the rocky beach at Church Bay, Co. Cork.

Aperture ƒ/11
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/250s

Oscar in the grass

Oscar sitting patiently for us while we finished a bbq at my sister-in-law’s house!

This required quite a bit of work because I had to clone out his lead, 3 garden chairs and the side of the bbq. Is it obvious where?

Aperture ƒ/5.6
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/60s