Monthly Archives: August 2015

Cobh’s Jail Break Triathlon – 08/08/15

Jail Break 2015 John Tait-16

The annual Jailbreak Triathlon, hosted by the local Cobh Triathlon club, took place on Saturday August 8th 2015 in Cobh. This is the fourth consecutive year that this national sporting event was held with sponsorship from the Port of Cork and local businesses and ECCG was on hand to take some memorable photographs of the action.

Cloudy skies but no rain and rather choppy waters greeted competitors in their escape bid as well as photographers capturing the event on camera. The event also attracted huge crowds who lined the streets in their droves to cheer on the race participants.

Jail Break 2015 John Tait-7   The multi-stage competition involved the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance disciplines – swimming, cycling and running in immediate succession over various distances. The levels catered for in this flagship event were Olympic and Sprint triathlon distances. The Olympic distance consisted of a 1,500m swim from Spike Island to Cobh followed by a 40km flat fast cycle race finishing with a 10km run along the Cobh waterfront and promenade and back to the heart of the Cobh town centre. A shorter distance was available for the Sprint option consisting of a 750km swim, 20km cycle and 5km run. Relay teams consisting of 3 individuals also participated on the day – one completing the swim, one the cycle leg and the remaining person doing the run.

Jail Break 2015 John Tait-8Over 600 triathletes from all over Ireland and afar competed in this event. All were competing for the fastest and overall course completion time including ‘transitions’ from the individual swim, cycle and run components. Prior to the race each competitor was fitted with an electronic timer device to their ankle used to track and monitor their performance throughout the 3 stage event.

Shortly after 10am competitors in the Olympic event, who had already been transported across to Spike, gathered for the start of their race, which commenced at around 11.20am. Meanwhile, competitors in the Sprint event made their way to White point for their 1pm start. Both events commenced with a swim in open water without stopping, the Olympic competitors swimming from Spike Island to Cobh while the Sprint competitors swam along the shorefront from Whitepoint to the town centre. On completion of the swim competitors made their way to the transition area where they changed gear to begin the cycle segment through the main street of Cobh town and out the coast road.

Jail Break 2015 NL-8The bright coloured outfits of the cyclists, together with their athletic prowess were admirable as they were cheered on by the clapping spectators. We availed of the opportunity to capture the participant’s facial expressions of intense determination, hard hitting motivation and undefeatable attitude on camera.

Jail Break 2015 NL-20On completion of the cycle segment the competitors exchanged bicycles for running shoes and finished with a run ending in the centre of Cobh town. Of course we were present at the finishing line to capture the emotion and delight of those who had completed the triathlon reaping the rewards of their strict and challenging training regimen, many of which participated in support of various charities such as animal welfare groups and cancer societies.

The event finished later that evening with a presentation to the winners. As crowds dispersed to return home Cobh returned to normality. We headed home to review our images to remind us of the sporting pedigree and sheer determination of those who took part in this prestigious county Cork sporting event.

See our gallery of images from the event here. Enjoy!

 – Noelle Lowney

John Saul Picnic and Vintage Fair – 03/08/15

John Saul Picnic 15 Noelle Lowney-9On a sunny Bank holiday August 3rd ECCG had  ‘a good old time’ at the Castlemartyr Resort who, in conjunction with Le Chat Noir Events, hosted the 3rd annual John Saul Picnic and Vintage fair in aid of My Place, Midleton. The event took place to honour John Saul a famous Irish horticulturist born in Castlemartyr. Both John’s father James and his grandfather Barnabas worked as gardeners on the Castlemartyr estate in the 1800’s.

Born in Castlemartyr in 1819,  John Saul went on to have an influential and successful career as a highly respected horticulturist in Washington DC. In 1854 he became the first chairman of the Washington’s Parks Commission. During his time as Chairman he was responsible for planning and development of the celebrated Mall and other public areas in the Capital city. As well as an illustrious career as a horticulturist, he was also business man and writer, the family business he started is still in existence in Washington DC today known as the BF Saul company.

The historical landscape surrounding the Castlemartyr resort provided an opportunity to appreciate in a different way the chance to linger a while for some great music, wit and roving entertainment all with a vintage twist. The array of stalls and displays provided a colourful spectacle where there was lots for ECCG to capture on camera from vintage car parades, live music and dancing, kids sports days and Teddy Bear’s hospital, live music and entertainment to old style threshing. Indoors the Le Chat Noir Vintage fair took place featuring countless stalls, vintage and retro fashion and accessories.

There were lots of activities throughout the day including threshing, field games, pottery displays and amusements. There were also a parade of horses and vintage carriages with ladies dressed in Victorian outfits entering the main entrance of the Castlemartyr and displays in the inner areas of the resort. A variety of  Vintage cars on display were very popular with many visitors on the day.

The images captured on camera by us sums up the experience, atmosphere, the very local and very vintage feel and fun of the day. See the gallery of images here. Enjoy.

 – Noelle Lowney

Gina & The Champions Concert – 31/07/15

Champions Denis Barry-35

Ballycotton was buzzing on Friday night 31/7/15 last when the local stars, Gina and The Champions, took to the stage on the Main Street for an open-air concert – part of the Ballycotton Seafood & Shanty Family Fun Summer Series.

With rain threatening throughout, it held off until the very last song but even that didn’t deter the many hundreds who turned out from enjoying the music and dancing the night away. Well done to all concerned.

See a gallery of images from the night here. Enjoy!

 

Camphire Intl. Horse Trials – 25/07/15

Camphire - Joe Keniry-6

On a sunny Saturday July 25th 2015, ECCG made their way to the Camphire International Horse trials and Country Fair. This equine event took place in the picturesque Camphire estate, a unique setting on the banks of the River Blackwater in the heart of the Blackwater valley in Co. Waterford.

The Camphire international Horse trials saw competitors from 8 different nations as well as from all over Ireland compete over a 4 day period commencing July 22nd. This year more than 350 horses competed in this event including over 100 from abroad representing some of the best riders and horses from the 9 nations competing. This event has achieved international status and is overseen by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and is now in its sixth year of operation.

Eventing has been called the “equestrian triathlon” a discipline which involves riding a horse on flat and over fences comprising of 3 phases: dressage, cross-country and show jumping. The goal is to get a zero score at the end of 3 phases.

Dressage, the first phase consists of competitors taking their horse through a sequence of pre determined movements in walk, trot and cantor to display the horse’s obedience, willingness and overall athleticism. The second phase is the cross country where competitors gallop their horse over a course of cross country tracks running over undulating parkland, jumping over a mix of fences and a number of water complexes. The final phase is show jumping where the horse and rider jump a course of lightweight coloured jumping fences.

Blessed with idylic weather conditions ECCG saw some great and exciting eventing action where the speed, agility, control, athleticism, good judgement of pace and riding skill of the competitors was captured on camera. A very memorable day was had by all.

See a full gallery of images from the day here. Enjoy!

Camphire International Horse Trials & Country Fair

– Noelle Lowney

Copper Coast Shoot – 19/7/2015

Copper Coast Finbarr OShea-8

On a sunny afternoon July 19th 2015, ECCG explored the Copper coast – a stretch of coastal area between Dungarvan and the major seaside resort of Tramore Co. Waterford. This coastal area embraces wild and spectacular countryside with a wealth of secluded coves and beaches. This area of the South East of Ireland is well known for its rich geology and metal mining heritage notably the Tankardstown Copper mine with the Comeragh mountains as a backdrop.

Copper Coast Kevin Day-1We met up at Annestown where traditional thatched cottages and rolling countryside were abundant. After Annestown we set off to Guillamene outside Tramore, this area is a small sheltered cove with deep, clear, turquoise water with an open swimming and diving location. Traditionally, Guillamene was the designated men’s bathing area and ceased being so in the 1980’s. On the other side of the cove, Newtown beach was the Ladies swimming area. Nowadays men, women and children congregate in both areas for swimming, diving and other sea activities.

Copper Coast Joe Keniry-8The ECCG’s next stop was Killafarssey – a long cliff backed sandy beach with rocky outcrops which stretches for about a mile before curving around a rocky headland. Towards the western area there is headland with a distinct arch eroded through it. On the foreshore of the headland there are many features of coastal erosion in the form of free standing rocks and sea stacks.

Copper Coast Joe Keniry-6ECCG continued the coastal drive and stopped at Boat strand harbour situated in the midst of Waterford’s historic ‘Copper Coast and was built in the late 1880’s. This tiny harbour with its many brightly painted boats has provided a living for Copper coast fishermen from earlier time’s right up to the present day. The clear Atlantic water and coastal cliffs was ideal for the many seascape shots taken by the group.

Copper Coast Michael Hickey-6The rugged Ballyvooney Cove was our next stop, an area located next to Gull Island and spectacularly set under a dramatic headland.  After Ballyvooney we headed to Stradbally cove, an unusual shaped cove protected by cliffs on either side with a long expanse of sand with a river on the left side running out to the sea.

Copper Coast Michael Hickey-8Our final stop was Clonea beach near Dungarvan with its wide sandy beach and Ballinacourty Point lighthouse. As light drew to darkness we still managed to get some great shots of this beach area and afterwards some night scenes in Dungarvan itself.

This coastal area with its majestic and rugged coastal lines was an irresistible lure for us and our cameras were set to work with usual gusto to capture the magnificent seascapes and surrounding countryside.

See the full gallery of images from the shoot here. Enjoy!

 

– Noelle Lowney