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

The Glorious Banners of St. Giles, Edinburgh

The interior of St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh on a bright, sunny day in July, 2018. I visited again recently but these are from my first visit.

I visited the cathedral with the aim to photograph it, but I forgot to bring my tripod! It was sitting in my suitcase in my hotel room. I did my best, using tables and benches and the floor instead to hold my camera steady.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/30s

Dog’s Day on Barrack Street

A little dog looks out of a window of his home on Barrack Street, Cork. He must be very used to passing foot traffic. He never barked once!


Apertureƒ/1.7
CameraGalaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length6.3mm
ISO10
Shutter speed1/390s

A Visitor’s Perspective of the Hagia Sophia

Another tourist watches for a moment before taking her own photo with her phone, inside the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Non Muslims are restricted in where they can go now because it was turned back into a mosque again in 2020.

This was on the morning after I spent the day in bed recovering from food poisoning, so I didn’t take a whole lot of photos and had to go back to bed afterwards as I was so tired from the walk. This page has a number of photos showing what it’s like. Definitely try to avoid the busy times. It’s thronged with visitors.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO10000
Shutter speed1/60s

Trump Tower Construction by the River

Chicago in 2005 was a city in flux, and nowhere was that more obvious than at the Trump Tower construction site, right on the banks of the Chicago River. I was walking at the edge of the site and took a bunch of photos, some of which I’ve posted over the years.

What you see in front of you appears to be the open area next to the “new” tower. Over to the left is the Wrigley Building and looking at Google Street View gives a good view of what it looks like now, from across the river.

I haven’t been back to Chicago in twenty years. I’d love to see it again.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length18mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/100s

Greeting Visitors in the Shadow of the Wrigley Building

I last visited Chicago in 2005, when I took this photo of the Wrigley Building, and this “We’re glad you’re here!” banner.

Did you know the clock faces of the Wrigley Building are each almost 6m in diameter? The two towers of the building were completed just over 100 years ago!


Apertureƒ/9
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length53mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/160s

Through the Window: Edinburgh Reflections

A single, solitary table inside an empty office. A glass jar sits on the table, waiting for the next business to come and rent the room. Maybe a parting gift from the previous occupant?


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO16000
Shutter speed1/500s

Visitors in The Great Hall

The Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle is a popular part of the castle, with visitors milling around throughout the day.

Here’s some info about the hall that I got from Perplexity. Sources are linked and makes for an interesting read. I was surprised it didn’t mention that Oliver Cromwell preserved the roof when he had it plastered over. That was something the guide mentioned.

History of the Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle

The Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle is a remarkable structure completed in 1511 for King James IV of Scotland.236 This medieval wonder measures 29 by 12.5 metres (95 by 41 ft) and served as the chief place of state assembly within the castle.5 While historians have occasionally disagreed about its exact dating, it is generally attributed to the early years of the 16th century during James IV’s reign.5

Architectural Features

The hall’s most distinctive feature is its magnificent wooden roof, considered one of the most superb in Britain.236 It features giant beams resting on stones carved with heads and symbols such as the thistle, a national badge of Scotland.236 This is one of only two medieval halls in Scotland that still retains its original hammerbeam roof.5 The decorative carved stone corbels supporting the roof display Renaissance detailing comparable to works at Blois, France, from around 1515, indicating that Scottish arts were relatively advanced for the time.5

Historical Timeline

James IV had little opportunity to enjoy his new grand hall, as he was killed just two years later at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, fighting against the forces of his brother-in-law, King Henry VIII of England.236

During its early years, the Great Hall hosted grand banquets and state events, though there is no evidence that the Scottish Parliament ever met here, despite some common misconceptions.2356

A significant change came in 1650 when Oliver Cromwell’s army captured Edinburgh Castle and began transforming the Great Hall into a military barracks.2356 By 1737, the hall was subdivided into three storeys to accommodate 312 soldiers.5

Following the construction of New Barracks in the 1790s, the Great Hall was converted into a military hospital.5 It continued in this function until the troops finally left in 1886/1897 (sources vary slightly on the exact date).2356

After its military use ended, the Great Hall was restored to its medieval splendour by architect Hippolyte Blanc, who worked according to contemporary Victorian ideas of medieval architecture.5 Today, the hall displays weapons and armour that reference its military past, including distinctive pole arms like the feared Lochaber axe.236

In modern times, the Great Hall is still occasionally used for ceremonial occasions and has served as a venue for BBC Scotland’s Hogmanay Live programme.5


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length16mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/2s

Shadow Play on a Scottish Street

Shadows on a wall as the sun sets in Edinburgh.

I had hoped to go up Calton Hill this evening, but the Beltane fire festival is happening there tonight. I have to be up early in the morning, so I decided not to go, but now I already regret not going! I’d have stayed far too long taking photos and be so tired for my flight in the morning.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length112mm
ISO500
Shutter speed1/500s

Architectural Waves by the Sea

It’s been a few years since I’ve been in Malaga. This one is from November 2018 on a lovely sunny day. I love the “Palmeral de las Sorpresas” pergola is an eye-catching structure along the promenade.


Apertureƒ/9
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO125
Shutter speed1/400s

Cycling Through Evergreen Street

These days, it’s so unusual to see a cyclist who isn’t a delivery person on the roads in Cork City that this man caught me by surprise as he turned into Industry Street from Evergreen Street.

Luckily I had my camera out, as I was walking down to Nano Nagle Place for their photography exhibit where I had a number of photos on display. Can’t believe that was in 2019.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length18mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/1000s

Urban Geometry in Valencia

An interesting building that caught my attention on the C. del Mar in Valencia. Just around the corner from the Placa de la Reina.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/500s