Shadows of North Main Street

A month ago, Cork City Council acquired 4 eyesore buildings at the top of North Main Street in Cork. They are in a prominent location and not used for much over the years – I remember a shoe store in one, a clothes store in the place next to it and a retro goods store too. They’ve been mostly derelict for a long time.

Hopefully they’ll be demolished and we’ll see something decent done with the location.

North Main Street sits on one of Cork’s oldest thoroughfares and was actually built on reclaimed marshland. The street runs parallel to what was once the original course of the River Lee before extensive land reclamation in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of the Georgian buildings here were constructed using limestone quarried from local Cork quarries, which is why they’ve developed that distinctive weathered patina that photographs so beautifully in black and white.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO12800
Shutter speed1/500s

Storage Tanks on the Docklands

This won’t win any awards for beauty but it’s part of the old industry of the city along the docklands. While this old building looms overhead lots of people were enjoying a warm June day at the Marina Market. Open air seating was all full with people enjoying their lunches.

I have no doubt these buildings will be gone in a few years, hopefully to be replaced by a thriving community of businesses and homes.


Apertureƒ/2.2
CameraSM-G998B
Focal length2.2mm
ISO50
Shutter speed1/4300s