2016 – In Photos dot Org

The Rebirth of Páirc Uí Chaoimh

On this day when Tipperary beat Cork in the All Ireland Hurling Final I thought it appropriate to show these old photos of Páirc Uí Chaoimh in 2016 and 2017 when it was being rebuilt. The only time I’ve been to the new stadium was to see Bruce Springsteen play there, which just goes to show you how much interest I have in sports. Since I grew up close by I was always interested in the redevelopment of the place. Above you can see the Blackrock end of the stadium, with the skeleton of the building visible.

Almost a year later, in early 2017, there had been a lot of progress. The main stand is complete, and the Blackrock side is being filled in.

The reconstruction of Páirc Uí Chaoimh was one of the most expensive GAA stadium projects ever undertaken, with costs eventually reaching over €100 million. The new stadium was designed to hold 45,000 spectators, making it the second-largest GAA stadium in Ireland after Croke Park. The rebuild incorporated cutting-edge engineering techniques, including a unique cantilever roof design that allows unobstructed views from every seat. The project faced significant delays and cost overruns, leading to considerable controversy, but when completed in 2017, it featured Ireland’s largest covered terrace and became a flagship venue for Munster GAA, hosting its first All-Ireland semi-final in 2018.

The panorama images are displayed using my new panoramic block plugin for WordPress. It’s still early days yet, and it’s simple, but I’ve wanted a way to display 3-image panoramas for a while. If you’re looking at this post in a feed, click through to the post for the JavaScript powered panorama viewer.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	24mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/500s

McCurtain Street After Dark

Micky O’s Craic House was still standing when I took this photo in January, 2016. The location is now, of course, the Rezz Cork Hotel.

Aperture	ƒ/14
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	17mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	13s

Spires and Rides

St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and one of the cars of the big wheel on Grand Parade at sunset several years ago. Must have been a really nice view from the top of the big wheel!

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	133mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/50s

Dusk’s Divine Dance

Just as the sun set on a beautiful December evening, I photographed St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral in the distance, with the big wheel on the Grand Parade in the foreground.

I love that people on the big wheel were waving!

December 10th, 2016.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	79mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/60s

Cork’s Spiritual Heights

The historic spire of St. Anne’s Church, Shandon Bells, rises out of the mist, with the North Cathedral, the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, behind it.

In the foreground is the roof of SS Peter & Paul’s Church and the nearby Presbytery.

This was photographed on December 10th, 2016. Just a day over 8 years ago. I think it’s not possible to photograph this scene now. The new Capitol building is in the way.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	300mm
ISO	3200
Shutter speed	1/320s

Light Streaks at Whistler

Light from a passing truck is captured on a long exposure photo as it drives by.

Streaks of light followed a bus as it drove past me early one morning in Whistler, Canada.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	28mm
ISO	160
Shutter speed	20s

The Blackrock Terrace

The skeleton of Páirc Úi Chaoimh before it was rebuilt reveals the Blackrock end of the stadium.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	32mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/320s

RIP Velda

Last week, we experienced the sudden loss of an extraordinary and beautiful person. Velda, my Dad’s partner and a constant presence in our lives for over twenty-two years, passed away after a brief illness.

Velda and my Dad, Barra, lost their spouses in the late 90s, at ages that were far too young to be going through something so devastating. We were all so happy when Dad met Velda and love was in the air again.

Velda was loyal, compassionate, fun-loving, unflappable and full of joy and laughter. She loved hiking, gardening, travelling and more. She baked some seriously delicious muffins for us, whenever we called. She was someone with a love for life and a tremendous intellectual curiosity. She used her retirement to explore, crossing tundra on the Orient Express or hiking the Peruvian jungle and fishing for piranha. She was always interested in people, and loved to hear and debate everyone’s thoughts on current events. She brought a fierce intelligence and warmth to any discussion, and saw the best in people.

Many a bottle of fizz was shared with her during family celebrations over the years. There was always an atmosphere of fun when she was around, her laugh was so infectious. You were guaranteed to be in good humour after meeting with Velda. It was an honour to have her in our lives for so long. She will be greatly missed by all of us.

And, now that I have told you about Velda, you will remember her too. As Terry Pratchett wrote in his book, “Going Postal”,

Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still spoken?
Terry Pratchett, Going Postal.

Thanks to my family for help writing this. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	39mm
ISO	400
Shutter speed	1/100s

Rowing past the ships

A man in a solitary boat rows up a river past ships docked at the Quay. Buildings in the background are somewhat obscured by fog, and the "Port of Cork" sign is visible to the far right of the image.

On a quiet October morning in 2016, I travelled into town as I saw there was fog forecast, and I wasn’t disappointed. While I was photographing the boats lined up along Kennedy Quay, a single rower came up the river.

He quickly glided past my position along the river, but I grabbed a few photos, including R&H Hall, and a view of the Elysian that is somewhat blocked by further development over in that direction.

When I go back there again some morning in eight years time to photograph the fog, I’m sure the quay will be unrecognisable.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	17mm
ISO	200
Shutter speed	1/80s

The little business man

A man in a suit walks between tall buildings in Birmingham

A man in a suit walks between buildings in Birmingham. The area is almost deserted, except for a single figure further back.

Aperture	ƒ/3.5
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	28mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/320s

Giant Bubbles in London

A man created huge bubbles in London with two poles and string with little loops, and one huge loop. Adults and kids watch and try to burst them.

Away back in 2016, when the Rebel Street Photography group when to London for the day we passed by this man creating huge bubbles. Adults and kids alike were entertained!

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	35mm
ISO	320
Shutter speed	1/320s

In Camden Town: A Young Man’s Reflections

A young man in a green patterned coat leans against a wall outside a shoe shop in Camden Town, London. He looks pensive with a hand on a chair, while clothes hang in the background, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Today’s photo is a snapshot of a young man in his twenties standing pensively in Camden Town, London. He’s wearing a striking green patterned coat, and he leans against a red brick wall with one hand resting gently on a nearby chair.

Looking at this photo, I can’t help but wonder what the young man is thinking about. Perhaps he’s contemplating his future, or maybe he’s lost in thought about his past.

What do you think?

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	24mm
ISO	250
Shutter speed	1/320s