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The Shein Lines

A popup "Shein" store opened in Opera Lane recently. There are long lines of people waiting to go in.

A Shein popup shop opened in Opera Lane recently. It’s only open for a short time and huge lines of people have gathered waiting to get in there.


CameraGalaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length2.2mm

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Plants grow everywhere

A few straggling plants grow out of the down pipe of the gutters on a building. The old tiles on the roof are visible as are two windows built into the roof.

Near the top of Patrick’s Hill in Cork I spotted these plants growing from the gutter of a building. Good thing plants don’t have a fear of heights because there was a large drop from there. 🙂


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length600mm
ISO6400
Shutter speed1/2000s

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Sailing past Roches Point

A sailing boat sails past Roches Point Lighthouse at the mouth of Cork Harbour. The boat has a blue hull and the sails are, I think, half raised.

A sailing boat sails past Roche’s Point Lighthouse at the mouth of Cork Harbour. It was a lovely August evening last year. The days were long and the sun was shining!


Apertureƒ/9
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length240mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/250s

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Morley’s Hire

A detail from the building of Morley's Suit Hire on Daunt Square in Cork. It's shot from inside the McDonalds across the Square so the frame of the window is visible

If you need to hire a suit in Cork, then Morley’s might be one place you’ll go to. I saw their building across Daunt Square in McDonald’s and I liked how the window and furniture framed it.


Apertureƒ/4.9
CameraSM-G998B
Focal length30.6mm
ISO50
Shutter speed1/240s

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Browsing in the record store

A man looking at records in a music store with a big poster of Rory Gallagher on the wall behind

Vinyl records are in vogue again and upstairs in Golden Discs in Patrick Street, Cork is devoted to these black disks.

I have to admit I’ve rummaged through their selection of Queen records from time to time.

And look, is that Rory Gallagher on the wall? I went looking online for that photo, but can’t find it anywhere. If you recognise it, comment with a link!


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO3200
Shutter speed1/500s

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All you need is love, JFK

A shop front: a table with a sign that says "All you need is love", a statue of an ange, a cherub statue and the book, "The Kennedys Portrait of a family" by Richard Avedon.

Late last year I visited Youghal on a Sunday. Most of the shops were closed, including this one but the display in front caught my eye.

JFK is still highly regarded by many people who don’t know how unfaithful he was to his wife, and maybe they do know and ignore that part of him. I thought the juxtaposition of a sign saying “All you need is love” right next to a photo of a famous philanderer and his wife was delicious.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO4000
Shutter speed1/500s

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A kite at the Basant Festival

A kite flying in the sky. It's a colourful two string one with red ribbons flying out the back

I visited Carrigaline yesterday for the Basant Kite Festival. It was a lovely day, and the forecast rain stayed away for most of the afternoon. Here’s one of those kites flying high over the bandstand in the town. There weren’t many kites flying but it was lovely to see them!

I asked Bing to generate an image for me of people flying kites at this festival and it came up with some odd looking ones. DALL-E really is nowhere near as good as Midjourney, but this was the best one.


Apertureƒ/9
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length240mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/1600s

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A Collie in Gougane Barra

A collie walks across the narrow road next to the lake at Gougane Barra in Co Cork, Ireland. The chapel can be seen in the background.

When I went to Gougane Barra with Blarney Photography Club a few weeks ago, I met the cutest collie ever. He was so chill and friendly, and he had this gorgeous white and brown fur that matched the scenery perfectly. I think he works at the hotel nearby, but he didn’t charge me for his cuddles.


Apertureƒ/1.7
CameraGalaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length6.3mm
ISO80
Shutter speed1/180s

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The Youghal Line in the Sun

The old railway line to Youghal in the setting sun. A small house in the middle distance and poles and cables off further and houses off in the background.

The old railway line to Youghal lies neglected and deserted in this photo I took last November. The sun was setting, and I was almost over Covid 19, but it was a cold evening, and I retreated to the warmth of the car.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO1000
Shutter speed1/500s

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Happy Henry

A Henry vacuum cleaner on top of an old style fridge out on the street in front of a hardware store

As I walked past Phil O’Sullivan Electrical, I noticed Henry, the vacuum cleaner, sitting on top of an old fridge. He looked happy, but it also made me wonder if he was okay. I mean, how could a vacuum cleaner be happy without his hose? Maybe it was lost or misplaced, and that’s why he had to resort to sitting on top of a fridge. My heart goes out to you, Henry!


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO500
Shutter speed1/500s

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Dawstown Point to Point, 2023

A horse and jockey jump over a fence. Others can be seen behind him.
A horse and jockey race to the finish, followed closely by others.
A horse and jockey jump the fence
A horse and jockey jump the fence, closely followed by others
A horse and jockey jump the fence, with others before and after him

I had a great time today at the Dawstown Point-to-Point horse racing event! The races started at 2 pm and continued until 4.30 pm, and I went with some of my buddies from the Blarney Photography Club. We positioned ourselves near the second last jump, and it was a super fun day filled with lots of action and photography opportunities. I’m excited to share this selection of my favourite shots with you!


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length600mm
ISO2500
Shutter speed1/2000s

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The eye on the street

Hoarding around a derelict site in Cork City has graffiti on it and an eye looks out of the corner while a young woman walks up the street

If you’re a fan of street art, you’ll love this vibrant and eye-catching hoarding in Cork City. What was once a dull and drab barrier around a derelict site has been transformed into a colourful canvas of graffiti. The hoarding is situated on the corner of Sheare Street and Grattan Street and it’s impossible to miss its bold and striking presence.

While the small one-storey building that once stood on this spot may be long gone, the art that has taken its place is alive with energy and creativity. I was particularly drawn to the striking eye that gazes out at the world from the corner of the hoarding. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the midst of decay and neglect, there is always beauty to be found in unexpected places.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/1600s