Inniscarra’s Historic Stone Bridge

This is the narrow bridge that crosses the River Lee near the Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills.

I found out today while doing a little research that the bridge was built in 1805, replacing an older 6 arch bridge. It’s very narrow, but a survey showed that 7,000 cars cross it every day!


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/30s

A Storm Brewing

Cows waiting to be milked in a field near the Coachford Greenway. It’s a lovely walk along the River Lee, opposite Farran Woods.

I had an umbrella, and it was a good thing too, as it started raining about ten minutes later.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length240mm
ISO250
Shutter speed1/500s

Cork Before The Elysian

2005 photograph of Cork City Hall with its distinctive green dome reflected in the River Lee, showing construction cranes and the area before The Elysian development and modernisation, with swans visible on the calm water
2005 photograph of Cork City Hall with its distinctive green dome reflected in the River Lee, showing construction cranes and the area before The Elysian development and modernisation, with swans visible on the calm water (1/3)
2005 photograph of Cork City Hall with its distinctive green dome reflected in the River Lee, showing construction cranes and the area before The Elysian development and modernisation, with swans visible on the calm water (2/3)
2005 photograph of Cork City Hall with its distinctive green dome reflected in the River Lee, showing construction cranes and the area before The Elysian development and modernisation, with swans visible on the calm water (3/3)

Remember Cork before The Elysian was built? It’s almost 20 years old now, so there are many people around who never saw Cork City Hall like this, without the tower block behind it.

Cork City Hall, completed in 1936, was built to replace the previous City Hall that was destroyed during the Burning of Cork by British forces in 1920. The building’s limestone facade and copper dome make it one of Cork’s most recognisable landmarks. This 2005 photograph predates the construction of The Elysian apartment tower, which began in 2006 and became Ireland’s tallest residential building when completed in 2008. The development of The Elysian and surrounding high-rise buildings fundamentally altered the skyline visible from this vantage point, making this image a valuable historical record of Cork’s urban landscape before its dramatic transformation during the Celtic Tiger era.


Apertureƒ/3.5
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length18mm
ISO200
Shutter speed1/320s

Golden Reflections on the River Lee

An evening walk along the River Lee near the Inniscarra Hydro Station a few years ago and we were rewarded with a lovely sunset shining on the banks of the river.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length65mm
ISO125
Shutter speed1/80s

The Shakey Bridge is Gone!

In 2019, Cork’s riverside scene took on a rare and almost surreal quality as the beloved Shakey Bridge, or Daly’s Bridge, vanished for the first time since 1927. Locals strolling along the Lee were greeted not by the familiar wobbly walkway, but by its ornate white tower standing alone, flanked by colourful houses and lush gardens. The river, ever calm, mirrored the absence and the anticipation, while the city buzzed with stories of the bridge’s famous shake and the engineers’ promise to bring it back just as lively as ever.

The bridge is back now, and we visited recently. It still has its famous shake!

It’s the only suspension bridge in Cork City and the only surviving pedestrian suspension bridge of its kind and age in Ireland.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length57mm
ISO125
Shutter speed1/125s

HNLMS Dolfijn Visits Cork

In 2003, the Dutch submarine, Dolfijn, or Dulfun, visited Cork for a few days. I happened to be around town and spotted it from Kennedy Quay where I’d been photographing the ships, buildings and machinery.

When it left Cork, it headed to Mallorca. September in Cork is nice, but I wouldn’t mind a few days there in October!


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraCYBERSHOT
Focal length11.3mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/500s

Carrigdrohid on the Lee

The castle at Carrigdrohid, as seen from across the river from my previous photo of the castle a few days ago.

I was almost in the river taking this shot, following in the steps of Mark Gorman who waded in further and made a superb shot of the castle.


Apertureƒ/16
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length16mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/4s

Sunset at Carrigadrohid

The castle at Carrigadrohid stands on a rock in the middle of the River Lee, adjoining a bridge, giving the local village it’s name, after the Irish, Carraig an Droichid, meaning ‘rock of the bridge’. (Wikipedia)

I’d never been before, but I went with Blarney Photography Club to photograph this scenic location last night. Luckily, I caught the last of the setting sun behind the castle.


Apertureƒ/16
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length26mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/13s

Kennedy Quay Panorama

A wide view of Kennedy Quay, going on to Albert Quay in Cork. Buildings are reflected in the River Lee and a green ship is seen docked on the quay. (1/3)
A wide view of Kennedy Quay, going on to Albert Quay in Cork. Buildings are reflected in the River Lee and a green ship is seen docked on the quay. (2/3)
A wide view of Kennedy Quay, going on to Albert Quay in Cork. Buildings are reflected in the River Lee and a green ship is seen docked on the quay. (3/3)

Kennedy Quay in Cork in February 2024 before the R&H Hall building was demolished. Look to the right, and you’ll see Albert Quay and the new buildings there. This whole area will look quite different in only a few years.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length32mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/25s