When the Lee Became a Mirror
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.
Cork in Miniature
I love this mural showing various sights around Cork City. It’s just off Paul Street and well worth a look. The artist, Garreth Joyce, painted it in 2023.
When Art Meets Daily Life on Sullivan’s Quay
I love the murals around Cork City, and the mural on Sullivan’s Quay is particularly eye-catching. Ordinary life continues on, but at least we’re treated to the gorgeous colours whenever we pass by.
Irish Terrier Practises Street Yoga
Was it yoga, or was there another dog just out of frame and this Irish Terrier wanted to be friends? Irish Terriers are one of the oldest terrier breeds and are nicknamed “daredevils” because of their famously spirited and fearless temperament. During World War I, Irish Terriers were used as messenger dogs in the trenches,…
Window on the City
From the car park on North Main Street, Cork, you can Bruce College and St Mary’s Dominican Priory. I liked how the stark lifeless concrete frame of the multi-story car park contrasted with the variety of materials and colours in the world outside.
Father Mathew Quay Torn Up
Father Mathew Quay is a road that is definitely closed. The tarmac has been torn up to be remade into something better, hopefully.
It’s a bird city
Cork City, where birds have become incredibly adept at turning human carelessness into dining opportunities. Urban-adapted birds like the seagulls and crows photographed here have developed significantly different behaviours compared to their rural counterparts. City-dwelling seagulls often show reduced fear responses to humans and have learned to time their foraging around peak human activity periods,…
Holding Hands
Two hands intertwined, fingers gently clasped together as a couple watches the festivities unfold around them. The simple act of holding hands in public, something many take for granted, becomes a quiet celebration of love and belonging at Cork Pride. While this year’s event was smaller than last year’s celebration (perhaps due to the absence…
Cork’s Social Life Spills Onto the Street
The Long Valley Bar is always busy, and I love seeing interesting characters sitting at the tables outside. The Long Valley Bar has been serving Cork since 1842 and is famous for its traditional “combination” sandwiches – hence the “Plain Comb” on the menu board. These legendary sandwiches typically contain a hearty mix of meats,…
Cork’s Bell Tower from the Steepest Street
Shandon Bells as seen from the top of Patrick’s Hill, from the wall surrounding Bells Field. The eight bells of Shandon Bells were cast in Gloucester, England, in 1750 and shipped to Cork. They’re tuned to play in the key of D major, and each bell has inscriptions including biblical verses and the names of…
A child’s bloody nightmare
A page from a child’s “colour in the picture” book provides a stark subject for this photo. Is that red blood on the wheels of that car? Spotted on the ground somewhere in Cork City.
Short Circuit
Electricity everywhere and so evident at night in street lighting. I took this shot after meeting Mark for coffee 2 weeks ago. It’s this building site right in the middle of Cork City. More conventional shots will follow over the next few days.