Blue hour is that magical window between sunset and full darkness when the sky becomes this gorgeous gradient from deep blue to warm orange. That’s what I saw on a cold December evening looking across the River Lee at Bachelor’s Quay.

The Millennium Bridge in Cork doesn’t wobble like the Shakey Bridge but it probably sees a lot more foot traffic as it links Pope’s Quay and Kyrl’s Quay and Cornmarket Street. The bridge was built in 2004. I have some photos of that which I may dig up and link from here later.

November in Ireland means darkness by half four in the afternoon, which is properly depressing. I’m glad there’s a grand old stretch now, and the days are slowly getting longer and longer. Pity about the damp weather and cold.

I’ve photographed Sullivan’s Quay plenty of times but this was a little experiment shooting in highlight-priority mode. I brightened it up later but I like the way it came out and love the yellow reflected light on the River Lee. Here’s Sullivan’s Quay at sunset many years ago from much the same view point!

Father Mathew Hall in Cork is well known to generations of school kids who participated in the annual Feis Maitiú there. This is what it looked like in 2006 and while it is still blue, the overhang appears to be gone if you look at it in Google Maps. I hope they still play bingo…

Cork City during the height of the Celtic Tiger era, captured in 2007 when Ireland’s construction boom was at its peak and the city skyline was dominated by cranes building new office blocks and apartments, including the Elysian Tower. It would all come crashing down financially within a year. Some apartments in the Elysian were…

Some of the ghosts and witches at the Dragon of Shandon parade, 2025.

This is what Cork’s Dragon of Shandon parade does best. It transforms the streets into a moving theatrical spectacular where elaborate costumes, dedicated face paint, choreographed performances, and pure Halloween energy collide in the most brilliant way possible.

A few more photos of the Dragon of Shandon parade last night. I’ll spread these out over the next few days. You’ll get a proper chance to experience the fun of the night. They’ll all be visible here in the future if you’re coming across this post by itself.

TBL8 Brass Band playing in Cork earlier this evening. They were so good. Blasting out the hits!

The January sales in Brown Thomas attract many but the shop is a good place to meet someone as I presume this gentleman was, back in 2016.

The Banks of the Lee were quite different by the Peace Park in 2004. Trees and shrubs obscured the river from the small park. It looks so different now.