I was there too
A flower growing out of the crack between two blocks on the quayside in Kinsale, Co Cork.
There it was, growing in the unlikeliest of places, just doing its thing right in the middle of all the grey.
| Aperture | ƒ/3.5 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/320s |
Two hands intertwined, fingers gently clasped together as a couple watches the festivities unfold around them. The simple act of holding hands in public, something many take for granted, becomes a quiet celebration of love and belonging at Cork Pride.
While this year’s event was smaller than last year’s celebration (perhaps due to the absence of Eurovision star Bambie Thug, or simply the rising costs of travel), the energy remained undimmed. The parade began on Grand Parade before winding its way down St. Patrick Street, with dozens of people proudly carrying a massive pride flag that rippled in the hot, humid afternoon air.
After the parade, the community gathered at Kennedy Quay for the traditional after-party, where the real magic happened. Gay men danced together in the summer heat, some bare-chested, others waving colorful fans as they laughed and moved to the music. Same-sex couples like the one in this photograph stood hand in hand, watching the celebration with quiet contentment, expressing their love openly in a space where they felt safe to do so. These moments, the dancing, the hand-holding, the unguarded laughter, show exactly why Pride events are needed now more than ever.
The laughter, the energy, and the community were all so beautifully, defiantly joyful.
More photos from Cork Pride coming tomorrow.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 500 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Two friends chatting on a street in Istanbul.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 320 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
If you look up, you might see something towering overhead. Gleaming glass towers stretching up until they seem to pierce the clouds themselves.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/5000s |
A trader at the market in Bantry puts his stuff away at the end of the market day. During the day, stalls are set up around the main square (well, rectangle, technically) as well as in a nearby car park.
Yes, he was parked in an accessible parking spot, which made this more interesting, but the car park was full of traders that day, and nobody else was parking there.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/640s |
An estimated 100,000 people joined the Trans+ Pride event yesterday in London as they marched from near BBC Broadcasting House, past Downing Street, and on to Westminster Palace to Parliament Square Gardens. It was spectacular & emotional to watch.
“The message was clear: we will not be erased. Our existence is natural, historic, and enduring. You can try to take away our rights, but you will never remove us from society. We are a part of humanity, and the public will not stand by while harm is done to our community.”
Lewis G Burton, one of the founding members of London Trans+ Pride
More coverage from the Guardian & BBC and elsewhere.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 125 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
I love dogs, so when I see one in town I always try to get a photo.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.2 |
| Camera | SM-G998B |
| Focal length | 2.2mm |
| ISO | 50 |
| Shutter speed | 1/580s |
Two men enjoying a chat at the Bantry market almost exactly a year ago this week.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1000s |
When you’ve been to the shops, it’s nice to sit down with a friend for a chat.
| Aperture | ƒ/1.8 |
| Camera | SM-G998B |
| Focal length | 6.7mm |
| ISO | 639 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Walking along Corporation Street, I was watching out for interesting people to photograph when I saw a man watching people walking past. We’d just come out of Grand Central Shopping Centre, the sun was shining, and I quickly walked over to the shaded part of the street. It was too warm for me. Might have been the same for this gentleman.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 16mm |
| ISO | 320 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
The Long Valley Bar is always busy, and I love seeing interesting characters sitting at the tables outside.
The Long Valley Bar has been serving Cork since 1842 and is famous for its traditional “combination” sandwiches – hence the “Plain Comb” on the menu board. These legendary sandwiches typically contain a hearty mix of meats, cheese, and pickles, and have remained virtually unchanged in recipe for over a century. The pub’s sandwiches have achieved almost mythical status among Cork locals and visitors alike, with many considering them the best pub grub in Ireland. The establishment has retained its original Victorian fittings and atmosphere, making it not just a place to eat, but a living piece of Cork’s social history.
| Aperture | ƒ/3.5 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 400 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
The derelict McCarthy’s Garage as it was in 2021 in Schull, Co Cork. The building today is very different, but it’s still pink! I have a few photos of the old petrol pumps that stood outside the building somewhere on this site, going further back in time.
The slate roof visible on the McCarthy’s building is typical of traditional Irish architecture. Irish slate was quarried extensively in counties like Valentia Island in Kerry and was prized for its durability and weather resistance, often lasting well over 100 years when properly maintained, which explains why so many original slate roofs still grace Irish buildings today.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 16mm |
| ISO | 160 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
