Cork’s Spiritual Heights

The historic spire of St. Anne’s Church, Shandon Bells, rises out of the mist, with the North Cathedral, the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, behind it.

In the foreground is the roof of SS Peter & Paul’s Church and the nearby Presbytery.

This was photographed on December 10th, 2016. Just a day over 8 years ago. I think it’s not possible to photograph this scene now. The new Capitol building is in the way.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length300mm
ISO3200
Shutter speed1/320s

Rowing past the ships

On a quiet October morning in 2016, I travelled into town as I saw there was fog forecast, and I wasn’t disappointed. While I was photographing the boats lined up along Kennedy Quay, a single rower came up the river.

He quickly glided past my position along the river, but I grabbed a few photos, including R&H Hall, and a view of the Elysian that is somewhat blocked by further development over in that direction.

When I go back there again some morning in eight years time to photograph the fog, I’m sure the quay will be unrecognisable.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length17mm
ISO200
Shutter speed1/80s

Morning Light on Blarney Castle

This morning is a beautiful start to the week. Fog in the distance and the fiery orange ball of the sun shining through clear skies. Blarney Castle was lit up in a lovely orange glow and I had to spend a few minutes away from the busy bustle of life to get this photo.


Apertureƒ/4.9
CameraSM-G998B
Focal length30.6mm
ISO64
Shutter speed1/50s

The Weir in Ballincollig Regional Park

On a particularly foggy morning in December 2002 I wandered around Ballincollig Regional Park. I photographed the weir that morning in the mist. Wasn’t much to be heard except the rushing of the water.

Some fifteen years later the centre of the weir would collapse. The OPW may rebuild it at a cost of over €1m. Hopefully that happens.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraFinePix2800ZOOM
Focal length8.2mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/170s

Fog rolls into the Conor Pass

It was a beautiful evening in Dingle. Light clouds in the distance promised a fantastic sunset. I decided to head to Stradbally Beach to the north of the town but time was running out. Up and down the Conor Pass and as I drove along the road I saw clouds rolls in off the sea and worried they would hide the sun. I looked to my left and saw a blazing red ball of fire hanging a few degrees above the horizon and hoped I’d get my camera out in time to photograph it.

It was my first time to Stradbally Beach and the road I hoped to follow to the beach turned out to be a private caravan & camping site, with a gate across the entrance. I drove on. The sun dipped below the high dunes next to the road and eventually I came across an opening where quickly parked. I grabbed my camera and tripod and ran to the beach, only to see a sliver of the red sun disappear behind the cloud on the horizon! To say I was disappointed is an understatement!
I consoled myself by taking photos of a nearby headland in the cloud, and the rotting wooden stakes of a beach fence that might look good in black and white.

As I drove back to Dingle I saw that clouds were creeping inland from the sea and the sky was still somewhat bright. This photo was taken on the way into the Conor Pass. It was stunning to see and even though I was eaten alive by midgies I’m glad I stopped and it made up for my earlier disappointment.

The Conor Pass and the north side of the Dingle Peninsula was covered in the cloud the next day. The south side basked in boiling heat!

Aperture ƒ/10
Camera ILCE-7M3
Focal length 24mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 3.2s