Victoria’s Secret on Prince’s Street, Cork are having a sale! Get in there now! Actually, I’ve never been in there. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching (well, it’s only a month away but some shops are already advertising it), I wonder if they’ll have a brisk trade?

Rusty chains lie unused on a quay in Sheep’s Head, Co Cork.

The door to the lounge in Cronin’s Pub in Crosshaven, Co Cork. Nice pub, had many a relaxing cup of tea there with the family after a walk around the town.

Calor gas bottles sit on the quay in Baltimore Co Cork, waiting to be collected. I presume they’re empty or someone would have made off with them.. PS. One of my photos was used in Day 9 on photochallenge.org.

Biosphere 2 in Arizona on a cold day in January last year.

Recession, recession, re… The R Word. Construction workers on the site of the new shopping center in Cork City on Patrick’s Street. I walked past this entrance a few times and the guy in the blue jumper was standing in the same place, watching me each time. Scary.

One of the carol singers featured a few days ago singing her heart out on Patrick’s Street, Cork.

Castle Street, Cork.

Cranes towering over Cork City sit idle as the sun sets on a late October day in 2008. I suspect this scene will become more rare as the recession bites.

Fuchsia flowers are really difficult to photograph. You need a macro lens because the flower is so small and a regular lens has trouble focusing so close. The flowers hang down and catch the wind so easily it’s quite a challenge to get a steady shot. Here’s one I shot earlier in Fountainstown, Co Cork…

A few months ago I posted a photo of General Michael Collins on the wall of the Eldon Hotel in Skibereen, Co Cork. That hotel received the “Best Business Premises” award in 1997. Unfortunately it appears they’ve run out of business judging by the state of the exterior.

Beamish Irish Stout is still on sale in Cork pubs but soon it’ll be brewed by Heineken so if you want the traditional taste, make sure to sample it before the North Main Street South Main Street brewery closes. Shot in the Mutton Lane Inn last weekend. Hopefully you’re either out enjoying yourself or shopping….