Eircom Phone Booths in Cork

A pair of Eircom phone booths on St. Patrick Street, Cork, pictured in 2005.

The phones were there until at least 2022, but Eir announced a few years ago that they’d be removing their public phone booths, so away they go.


Apertureƒ/13
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length55mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/320s

The Irony of Travel Dreams During Lockdown

Halfway through 2021 when lockdowns were still a recent memory, and a sign advertising the island of Gozo was probably not what most people were thinking of. I don’t think I’ve seen this advertising campaign since, either.


Apertureƒ/1.8
CameraSM-G998B
Focal length6.7mm
ISO50
Shutter speed1/500s

JD Sports Coming Soon!

Shopfront with JD Sports "Coming Soon" signage and scaffolding outside the Savoy building, showing posters for Nike and North Face products with text "NEAREST STORE IS COOK STREET" in yellow and black.

It was October 2019 and JD Sports had yet to open their shop on Patrick’s Street in Cork. The back of the building, on Drawbridge Street, featured JD Sports hoarding, but now it’s derelict, with “TO LET” signs in the windows, and the SAVOY entrance is boarded up.

A sign of the times. The city can’t compete with online sales.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length16mm
ISO125
Shutter speed1/500s

Urban Dreams in Bokeh

The blurred Christmas lights along St. Patrick Street and Cook Street transform into a dreamy tapestry of golden and multicoloured bokeh, creating a magical backdrop above a person wearing a studded black beanie and glasses near Opera Lane.

Nollaig shona duit! Hope you had a nice day today if you celebrate!


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length240mm
ISO8000
Shutter speed1/250s

Cork’s Christmas Commotion

Nollaigh Shona Dhaoibh go léir! Now that no more shopping is possible, maybe we can return to normality. Of course, in cold and dreary January, we might look back with nostalgic eyes at the bright lights, decorations, and all the stress excitement.


Apertureƒ/18
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length208mm
ISO100
Shutter speed5s

The Adventures of an Ice cream fridge

A fridge is removed from a corner shop on St. Patrick’s Street, Cork. The shop itself is now empty, but I’m sure it won’t be long until a phone shop or vape shop opens there.


Apertureƒ/1.8
CameraSM-G998B
Focal length6.7mm
ISO50
Shutter speed1/490s

THAT’S US BTW! YOU ARE EU

The bus shelter is adorned with a poster promoting a message of “Freedom, Peace & Energy Independence. YOU ARE EUROPE”, featuring a group of youthful individuals standing beside the text “YOU ARE EU”. This poster can be spotted throughout the EU, and I even noticed a few on the Europe subreddit last week.

Meanwhile, an advertisement displayed on the bus parked at the stop bears the message “THAT’S US BTW!” with an arrow pointing downwards towards the end of a URL. However, I like to think the arrow is pointing towards the individuals featured in the EU poster.

These types of advertisements and posters serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of people across the EU, and the importance of promoting unity and solidarity among diverse communities. The bus itself is a common mode of transportation throughout many European cities, offering a convenient and efficient way to traverse the bustling streets and vibrant neighborhoods of these dynamic urban centers.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO200
Shutter speed1/500s

Chugging away at Christmas Time

At the SHARE crib on St. Patrick’s Street, Cork earlier this month. Street fundraisers for SHARE were everywhere again this month, and even had tap-and-pay machines to pay by credit card or phone.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO200
Shutter speed1/500s