Winners of the Stone Mad Blarney Half-Marathon 2021

Damian Kenneally, Eagle AC
Linda O'Sullivan, Watergrasshill AC
Linda O’Sullivan, Watergrasshill AC

I spent a few hours photographing the runners finishing the half-marathon in Blarney today. There was a huge turnout.Weather was dire. Rain falling most of the time with gusts of wind to carry it into your face and on to the camera.

I don’t have any particular bad-weather strategy as I usually stay inside when the weather is bad but this time I took an umbrella, tucked under my arm to hold it up and a small towel to dry the lens and camera body when it inevitably got wet.

2000 photos later, 48GB of data and 65% of my battery gone and the last contestant crossed the finish line. I posted a few of the photos on the Blarney Blog Facebook page but there are more than 700 in total to post and I’ll upload them over the next few days and update this post with a link.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length49mm
ISO320
Shutter speed1/200s

The boats of Gougane Barra

Another early morning sunrise photo at Gougane Barra with Blarney Photography Club. Way back in 2016 I published a similar photo but the Gougane Barra boats were swapped. They’ve been there quite some time!


Apertureƒ/10
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/4s

Stormy Clouds Over The Beara Peninsula

Storm clouds rolled in as I tried to shoot the sunset from Sheep’s Head. The sun had already dipped by this time and I was rushing to get a few photos before the rain came. Luckily there was time but ominous clouds were overhead as I ran back to the car at the last minute!


Apertureƒ/11
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length28mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/5s

Oh Look! The LÉ Samuel Beckett

I was photographing a paddle boarder off Fountainstown Beach this evening when suddenly a ship sailed into the viewfinder.

It’s the LÉ Samuel Beckett sailing into Cork Harbour at a quick pace. She crossed the distance visible from the beach quickly but I’m glad I got a few photos of her!


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length600mm
ISO800
Shutter speed1/500s

Sunrise over Muckross Lake

An early morning drive to the Lakes of Killarney this morning resulted in an eventful trip for Blarney Photography Club today. Rain didn’t spoil the sunrise, but a trip afterwards to the Gap of Dunloe didn’t go so well with a literal storm blowing up between the hills.

The photo above is from Dinis Cottage if you’re interested. Lovely walk down there and so picturesque!


Apertureƒ/11
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/160s