Michael O’Regan in Yellow

Michael O’Regan has been selling the Echo newspaper in this spot on Patrick Street, Cork since 1969. He was a familiar sight to generations of Cork people.

I haven’t seen him in a long time, and this photo was taken in 2006. The latest information I can find on him is a photo taken of him in January 2020 when he met the Lord Mayor of Cork, John Sheehan.


Apertureƒ/9
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length10mm
ISO200
Shutter speed1/160s

Across the Chetwynd Railway Viaduct

Most Cork people are familiar with the Chetwynd Railway Viaduct built over the Bandon Road near Bishopstown. Here it is from the top, in 2005.

An important and substantial landmark designed by Charles Nixon, Engineer, which makes a dramatic contribution to the surrounding area. It carried trains on its single line from Cork to West Cork until 1961. It stands 90ft above the road and has a 21ft span. The viaduct displays fine craftsmanship in the stone work seen in the piers and excellent design in the elegant steel arches.

buildingsofireland.ie

Apertureƒ/3.5
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length18mm
ISO1600
Shutter speed1/200s

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

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

The Barren Gap of Dunloe

The Gap of Dunloe in Co Kerry in February 2007. I was up there recently and it couldn’t have been more different. A storm blew down the valley making life miserable for anyone walking the roads or trying to take photos of this scenic area.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length10mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/80s