Castle Street Reflections

When I was out with Blarney Photography Club during the summer, we headed into town one evening. Love the reflection. Thanks Rodney for the idea!

Castle Street in Cork gets its name from the medieval Cork Castle that once stood nearby, though no trace of the original Norman fortification remains today. The street has been a commercial thoroughfare for centuries and is now part of Cork’s main shopping area. The Mannix name has deep roots in Cork, with the family having been involved in various businesses in the city for generations. Mannix & Culhane closed their doors earlier this year for the last time. I don’t think I ever went into either of their shops.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO12800
Shutter speed1/60s

Street Life with Man’s Best Friend

I love dogs, so when I see one in town I always try to get a photo.


Apertureƒ/2.2
CameraSM-G998B
Focal length2.2mm
ISO50
Shutter speed1/580s

Cork’s Social Life Spills Onto the Street

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.


Apertureƒ/3.5
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/500s

A Four-Legged Historian

Bishop Lucey Park in Cork is surrounded by hoarding with text describing the history of the area. But you don’t want to read about that, do you? That cute little doggy is all any of us wants to see. 🙂


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO125
Shutter speed1/500s

A Slice of Life in Bantry

We visited Bantry recently, on Valentines Day, and the town was buzzing. The square was taken over by the market, which is always worth a wander around. As we ate our burritos, I spotted the sun hitting the street nearby, leaving one side in shadow, and also illuminating the countryside rising up out of the background.

It’s a busy scene, and the van in the foreground is distracting, but that’s life. Everything’s messy, and then we went for coffee and scones in the community café. Yum. 🙂


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length184mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/1250s