Endangered Species

Not so long ago these metal edifices defined the skyline in Cork and other Irish cities. They’re all gone in Cork now, but there’s still one left in Killarney, County Kerry.

I hear tourists are taking photos of them now..

Aperture ƒ/13
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Focal length 24mm
ISO 400
Shutter speed 1/250s

County Hall Deconstructed

County Hall in Cork, as it was in 2005. Not so long ago it was flooded but it looks vaguely impressive when seen from certain viewpoints since the facelift it received in this photo.

Shame it’s built on a flood plain.

Aperture ƒ/22
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/50s

Digging up Daunt Square

Flash back to 2005 if you will. Ireland is in the grip of the Celtic Tiger boom. Cork is undergoing a transformation. The city’s streets were dug up and remolded with apparently improved drainage (didn’t help recently unfortunately) and the revamping of the city centre was in full swing.

Here’s the construction on Daunt Square, with behind it the long gone Virgin Megastore.

Aperture ƒ/4
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 400
Shutter speed 1/2500s

I’m Still Standing

It’s wonderful how some of the old buildings in Cork are preserved while all around them their neighbours are demolished and shiny new edifices rise. This one is of course on Emmett Place.

Aperture ƒ/5.6
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/80s

Emmett Place Deconstructed

Emmett Place in Cork is the sight of feverish building work for the past year or two as a huge city block was torn down and then built up again. Here’s the view from the excellent Aroma Restaurant.

Aperture ƒ/7.1
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/125s

Reflection on Half Moon Street

Construction work on the new block on Half Moon Street, Cork nears completion and reflects the brightly lit houses on the far side of the River Lee and the looming grey storm clouds.

This shot’s for Richard who commented on a shot taken the other direction last week.

PS. entries are still being accepted for the free night in the hotel draw. Closes on Friday, so be sure to leave a comment if you’re interested in coming!

Aperture ƒ/3.5
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/1000s

H&M Cork

H&M, one of the larger tenants in the new shopping center being built here on Academy Street.

Aperture ƒ/3.5
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/1600s

End of the Celtic Tiger

Construction. Ireland is too dependent on it but that’s old news now, but unspeakable just a year (or two) ago. Anyway, it’s the end of the boom, construction work has flatlined. The End is Nigh (and booted out the backdoor while we weren’t looking).

Shot in Youghal a few months back.

Aperture ƒ/5.6
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/100s

Dunnes Stores for Better Value

The old Dunnes Stores on Patrick’s Street is now only a shadow of it’s former self. All that remains of the building is the front facade and a small portion of the side walls.
Construction work on the Paul Street development has levelled most of the back buildings in a square block, exposing the internals of other buildings to the elements.
I spotted photos hanging on the rear wall of a room left open to the elements after demolition. Surreal!

If any business person from Acadamy Street is reading this, can I go to the top of your building and shoot the construction site from on-high? Please!

Aperture ƒ/4
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/1000s

Berwick Fountain

The Berwick Fountain was originally built in 1860 but was taken down and removed while construction went on in the Grand Parade, Cork. Here it is almost ready, although I’d swear they moved it a few feet ..

Cross over the Grand Parade for the last time passing the Berwick Fountain (1860), which marked the centre point of a bridge crossing what was then a city canal, now arched over and filled in to form the Grand Parade. The fountain is named after Walter Berwick, one time Chairman of the Quarter Sessions and was designed by Sir John Benson.

Aperture ƒ/7.1
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/100s

The Elysian Building Site

A look through the closed gate at the construction site of the new Elysian tower block in Cork.

It’s a far cry from what the building site looked like in 2005!

Aperture ƒ/4
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/200s

Construction in the old warehouse

This is the ground floor of the old warehouse on Father Mathew Quay in Cork. For years it lay rotting away, an eyesore just behind the South Mall, but it’s being developed now. I guess there are apartments going in there, but I recall seeing only tiny windows on the upper floors. Anyone know?

Aperture ƒ/4
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 800
Shutter speed 1/100s