Category Archives: Shoots

ECCG Shoot in Youghal, Co. Cork – 13/01/2019

On Sunday, 13th January, East Cork Camera Group paid a visit to Youghal. We met at Green Park and divided into groups in order to cover the entire town. The Clock Gate Tower was our first stop and is the most visible landmark in the centre of the town. Although built in 1777 as a gaol, its story spans 700 years of history. It is divided into four floors. Each floor depicts a different era in time and includes a medieval merchant’s dwelling, 18th Century Gaol, a “time-keeping floor” and a former family home.

There was a commanding view from the top of the building. The only sound to be heard was the clicking of cameras until the Clock struck “3” and then we descended with the sound of the bells ringing in our ears. An absolutely fascinating place to visit and we could have spent hours there.

Our next stop was St Marys Collegiate Church, nestled under the protective arms of Youghal’s Town Walls in the Raleigh Quarter, which can claim to be the oldest church in Ireland with continuous worship since the 13th Century. The trusses of the stunning nave roof have been carbon dated to the late 12th century. There we photographed plaques and effigies and in particular the magnificent stained glass
windows.

One of Ireland’s oldest cinemas, the Regal Cinema reopened its doors in 2018 following a year-long renovation. The cinema was built in 1936 and many of its original architectural features have been meticulously restored making a visit a truly nostalgic experience.

We then headed to Youghal Lighthouse which has a unique history beginning in 1190 when a light tower stood on the site of the present tower. The Tower as we know it was built in 1848. Its location is unique in that it is almost in the centre of the town.

We could not leave Youghal without paying a visit to the beach. We all headed down to the front strand to capture the setting sun. As the sun set, we headed for home after a very enjoyable day spent in one of the towns of Ireland’s Ancient East.

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

– Eileen Upton

Youghal Queen of the Seas – 15/07/2018

On Sunday 15th July, the Youghal Queen of the Sea festival concluded with a spectacular fireworks display. The suggested viewpoint for photography was Ferrypoint in Co. Waterford with a panoramic view across the Blackwater River towards the town of Youghal. Walking around the shore at Ferrypoint provided views of the quays, the Clock Gate Tower overlooking the buildings, to Youghal Lighthouse, Capel Island and Knockadoon Head further south beyond Youghal Bay.

On arrival at Ferrypoint, they were plenty of people camped out with the Bee Gees Tribute band playing across the river and enjoying the fine evening. Before the main event, there was ample opportunity to set up the camera and make a few trial images. As darkness approached, beautiful reflections appeared in the channel to add to the scene. A good crowd gathered in anticipation of the fireworks including a group celebrating a birthday.

On conclusion of all the Bee Gees hits, the fireworks burst into the sky. There was plenty of variety in the bursts which gave me ample opportunity to test the Fireworks mode in the camera. With the backdrop of Youghal town, the spectators appreciated the show, although one baby did not share the same enthusiasm. The last few fireworks were fired high in the sky above us to bring the festival to an end – with a bang…

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

– Paul Stack

Cork Harbour Festival – June 2018

Cork Harbour Festival is the largest annual event in Cork Harbour with a nine-day celebration of maritime culture and heritage. There are over 70 events in Cork City and the harbour towns and villages.

Ocean to City – An Rás Mór is the flagship event of the Cork Harbour Festival and is Ireland’s very own long-distance rowing race. The first race was held in 2005 and was originally a race for traditional fixed-seat boats. It has now grown into an annual event for an all-inclusive rowing and paddling event embracing everything from traditional wooden working boats, currachs, skiffs, gigs and Chinese dragon boats to contemporary ocean racing shells, kayaks, canoes and even stand-up paddle boards, attracting over 600 Irish and international participants from the U.S., Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, crewing over 200 craft.

On Saturday, 2nd June, our Group took up many vantage points along Cork Harbour and waited for the race to begin. The Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter together with the Crosshaven Coast Guard Boat and the RNLI inshore Life Boat carried out a demonstration training exercise to entertain the crowds waiting on the Promenade in Cobh. At 2.30pm. the race began at Crosshaven and it was not long before the colourful spectacle of all sizes of boats and crews could be seen rounding the Spitbank and turning towards Cobh. As the rowers passed by Cobh, they were greeted by shouts of encouragement from all those waiting along the quay. Even though some participants were under pressure at times to keep going, they managed to wave to the crowds, such was the festive atmosphere on the day.

The magnificent tall ship, Pelican of London, paid a visit to Cork Harbour during the Festival. It was built in 1948 and first served as an Arctic trawler and then a coastal trading vessel. In 2007, after a twelve-year rebuild, she became a sail training ship with Sail Training Ireland.

Cork Model Yacht Club celebrates its 80th anniversary in existence at The Lough. On Sunday 10th June, the Club gave a demonstration of competitive radio controlled model yacht racing, based on the International One Meter Racing Class. These yachts cover a meter every 20 seconds and are quite spectacular to watch especially in the presence of a good wind when they really pick up the pace! Sailing takes place around a series of buoys and a race will last between 15 and 20 minutes.

East Cork Camera Group attended some of the many events of the Festival to capture the atmosphere and enjoyment felt by all participants and you can see a gallery of images from them by clicking here. Enjoy!

– Eileen Upton

Saltee Island Shoot – June 2018

The Saltee Islands are a pair of small islands lying 5 km off the south-east coast of County Wexford in southern Ireland. Our photo shoot was to Great Saltee which is privately owned by the Neale family. It is recognised as a birdwatchers’ paradise as well as a beautiful location for a day trip and picnic. It has the second most important nesting colony in Ireland for gannets but throughout the island, there are also significant numbers of other species such as puffins, cormorants, razorbills, manx shearwater, kittiwakes, guillemots and shags.

Day visitors are allowed on the island between 11.30am and 4.30pm. Our arranged trip, which takes 15 mins, left from Kilmore Quay and it is strongly advised to book in advance as the boats are restricted to 12 passengers. The disembarkation onto the island is rather scary as it can involve a jump on to wet rocks.

After a short 10 min stroll, you arrive at the impressive cliff faces, each populated by a different species of bird. There are great views of the birds as you walk safely along small trails close to the cliff face but take extreme care if you wish to venture closer to take a photo. An invigorating 25 min walk up a steep incline will bring you to an incredible vista of 1000’s of gannets who permit you to come close to the colony – an incredible experience!!

Click here to see a gallery of images from the shoot. Enjoy!

– Ray O’Connell

Polo Tournament at Ballindenisk – 23-24/06/2018

On 23rd and 24th, June E.C.C.G. headed once again to Ballindenisk near Watergrasshill, Co. Cork, to view their second Polo Tournament of the Season. Basked in glorious sunshine, the weekend could not have been better for those taking part in what were ideal conditions.

There were three Cups to play for, namely: The Surgeons Cup, The Medics Cup and The Interns Cup with teams taking part from as far away as Co. Tyrone. The Surgeons Cup was the first match with Knapton taking on Ballindenisk. Unfortunately, the visiting side proved too strong for Ballindenisk and the Cup went to Knapton.

Valley Farm was the next team to take to the field to face the CIT Students to play for the Interns Cup. Valley Farm proved the dominant team in this match and claimed the spoils.

The Medics Cup had four teams taking part. In round 1, Curraghmore faced Rocklow and Tyrone took on Pegus Horse Feeds. Rocklow beat Curraghmore to earn a place in the final. Tyrone and Pegus played a very close match but Pegus clinched a win in the final moments earning them the second place in the final. In the subsidiary final, Tyrone proved the stronger side by beating Curraghmore. The final proved to be a very exciting match with a tight scoreline until the final chukka when Pegus pushed into the lead to take the Cup.

Despite the sizzling temperatures, we witnessed a terrific display of fast, open play on the field with all players giving 100 %. It was a fantastic weekend’s entertainment and E.C.C.G were delighted to be there to capture the action.

Click here to see a gallery of images from the day. Enjoy!

– Eileen Upton