Assumpta, 03/12/1950 – 30/12/2002

While walking along the path in Drake’s Pool and enjoying the sunset we came across this plaque in the ground next to a bench.

“You are the wind upon my face.
You inspired me with your grace.
You are the wind upon my back.
You keep telling me do not look back.
As I walk among the trees.
I can feel your gentle breeze.
Your loving smile and tender care.
I cherish and take with me everywhere
Assumpta
3rd Dec 1950 – 30th Dec. 2002”

Aperture ƒ/5.6
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 20mm
ISO 400
Shutter speed 1/25s

Chain Link

A huge link in a mostly submerged chain. If you looks carefully you’ll notice the trapped bottle of mineral water visible between the rusted metal!

This was shot only a few feet from the boats in the previous shot.

Aperture ƒ/6.3
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/80s

The Boats of Bantry

Boats tied up at the quay in Bantry two weeks ago. Bantry was once criss-crossed with waterways like Venice is today but those are long gone. The sea is still an important part of the culture of the town.

If you’re interested in the history of the region, here’s a page from westcork.com on the subject.

Aperture ƒ/7.1
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/125s

Skibbereen or Hospital

A sign in the foreground of the main square in Bantry, Co. Cork. We went to Ahakista eventually!

This is made from one exposure but I had this great looking sky and underexposed buildings and ground detail. To get an even exposure I split the photo using two layers and adjusted the exposure in each accordingly. I’m very happy with my work on this one!

Aperture ƒ/14
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/400s

Moynihan’s Poultry

A long exposure shot in the English Market in the vicinity of one of the many chicken meat shops.

The camera was set to f/8.0 and placed on top of a wall. In this semi-dark passage the exposure was 1/4 second blurring the passing people nicely but capturing the relatively motionless shop keepers.

Aperture ƒ/8
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/5s

Kay O’Connell

Kay O’Connell’s is probably the biggest of the fishmongers in the English Market, Cork.

Aperture ƒ/7.1
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/2.5s

Handing it over

I expect there are three generations of one family here: grandmother, mother and child. A moment in time captured on Paul Street, Cork.

Aperture ƒ/10
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/250s

Yeah! I’m in town!

A girl on the phone in Dawnt Square Cork, dressed in the height of youth fashion: the obligatory tracksuit!

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

Mick Flannery at the Spiegeltent

Mick Flannery played to a sold out audience in the Spiegeltent last night. He has an amazing voice, he’s a great song writer and the audience were up in arms crying and shouting for encores at the end of the gig.

The Lynch Mob joined Mick Flannery on stage to the delight of the audience.

Aperture ƒ/5.6
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 106mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/80s

Cone and Barrow

A workman lifts his wheelbarrow on Grand Parade, Cork a few weeks back.

No more Fred photos yet, I’ve been way too busy, and we’re headed to the Spiegeltent tonight to see Mick Flannery so tomorrow will be another street shot!

Aperture ƒ/7.1
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/400s

The Tin Pub in Ahakista

The Tin Pub in Ahakista

One of the highlights of Ahakista in Co. Cork is the Tin Pub set in the middle of an area lush with vegetation, flowers, trees and lovely West Cork Scenery.

Jacinta visited here several years ago with her friend Mary when they had a picnic in the back garden. We did the same, after asking the family who own the building. You see, the pub wasn’t open yet, but then Tom had a wedding the previous night and finished work at 4am. Shortly after we made ourselves comfortable outside and had poured our tea he showed up and smiled when he saw our picnic.

After our picnic we got chatting to Paul and Cath, who are over from Cornwall for a week. Over a pint we soon got lost in the easy going atmosphere of the pub and before we knew it time had caught up with us and we had to make the journey home.

Despite Pete McCarthy’s assertion that driving down a road with grass in the middle means you’re going the wrong way, you should try the “alternative route” to Ahakista. When you leave Bantry take the first turn right to Sheepshead and you’ll see it sign posted a few miles down the road. Go slowly, because others use the road, but the scenery is amazing. If it wasn’t for the fact that we were late leaving home, I would have stopped several times to shoot landscapes.

I can’t remember the last time I was in this part of the world, but the beautiful scenery and laid back way of life means I’ll be back!

Aperture ƒ/4
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 1600
Shutter speed 1/15s