Category Archives: Shoots

SSV Corwith Cramer – 6/7/14

Berfore lunch, I took myself down to Carlisle Fort on the East side of lower Cork harbour, to see if I could get a crack at the Tall Ship “SSV Corwith Cramer”, an American sail training ship, en route from Cork City to Spain and further afield.

SSV Corwith Cramer--7

I was in position by the fort at 12:30pm, where I bided my time in glorious sunshine, while Fidelma Read and family took up position at Roche’s Point. At about 1:30pm, Corwith Cramer rounded White Point in Cobh, and I took shots of her with a 500mm zoom.

Prof Murphy and his law struck, just as the ship came close enough to get a bit of detail in the shots. The heaven’s opened, and I was copiously precipitated upon (That’s the polite term) and a mad dash to the car ensued. The gear survived unscathed, but the photographer was a tad damp to say the least.

Fidelma and family retreated in face of this deluge, as I made my way to Roche’s Point. By the time Corwith Cramer reached the point, the rain had almost cleared, but “the sky was on the floor”. In dull and damp conditions, I got a few more shots, as she cleared the point, and headed South East. She was a couple of miles off shore, before they raised the sails… Bah! Bloody weekend sailors!

As she disappeared into the mist, I made my way home to salvage the remains of my Sunday lunch, which had languished a bit too long in the oven. Ah well! We have to suffer for our art.

– John Tait

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Irish Open 2014

a-view-of-the-18th-on-the-final-day-of-the-Irish-Open-at-Fota-Island-Resort

The gallery gathers at the 18th green

Fota Island Resort in East Cork was host to the Irish Open Golf Tournament between 18th and 22nd June 2014. Over the five days, nearly 105,000 patrons,10,000 more than the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA at Wentworth, saw some of the world’s best golfers ply their trade on the magnificently manicured course which was resplendent in the beautiful summer sunshine.

The good news story that was the Irish Open 2014, was evident in the happy atmosphere, good weather, ease of access and egress and the good showing by some of the home-grown golfing talent even though they could not break the hold of winner, Finland’s Mikko Ilonen who lead from start to finish. Ilonen, who had a course record round of 64 on Thursday, won by one shot from Italy’s Edoardo Molaniri with Graeme McDowell the best of the Irish at joint sixth and three shots behind the leader.

Mikko Ilonen accepts the winner’s trophy at the Irish Open 2014

ECCG members, Denis O’Flynn, Anthony O’Connor and Finbarr O’Shea were in attendance to capture the atmosphere at the event. Mouse over the image below to activate the slideshow controls. Enjoy!

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Villierstown – 21/6/14

Joe Keniry, John Tait, Matt Dornan and Finbarr O’Shea at Villierstown, Co. Waterford – Finbarr O’Shea

Four members met up at the Thatch Pub in Killeagh. This small but determined group, lead by Joe Keniry, first of all headed for St Declan’s Well, which is situated a little way beyond the village of Clashmore, Co. Waterford. There we found tucked away, and surrounded by woodland, the very neatly maintained Holy Well, dedicated to St Declan. St Declan is still obviously revered in the local area, as the well is visited very regularly by a lot of people. So much so, that a fine tarmac car park has been provided for the faithful.
Having taken our shots, Joe then brought us to Villierstown, Co. Waterford. What a lovely little gem of a village.

They have a very active residents group, and while we were there, we saw the on-going work on the beautiful old Anglican Church, which has been tastefully re-born as the Community Centre.

Having taken some shots in the village, we then moved to the Villierstown pier. Here we saw more evidence of a go-ahead community. They have just opened a new Activity Centre.. The Villierstown Boating & Activity Centre. They have set up this centre “to encourage and promote safe usage of the River Blackwater by local communities”….. “ We want to show what can be achieved when a rural community takes ownership of it’s future”

While we were at the pier taking pics, Finbarr and myself were prevailed upon by a couple of really friendly lads from the Club, to have a cuppa in their brand new Club House. This establishment has kitchen, showers, toilets etc, and secure storage for boats and equipment. “Hats Off” to the people of Villierstown, and thanks for your friendly hospitality.

Dromana Bridge – John Tait

We then proceeded to the famous Dromana Bridge. We arrived just in time to see a lot of enthusiastic cyclists racing across the bridge in aid of charity. Another demonstration of community spirit. This bridge must have been photographed by thousands of people over the years, so we were just the latest in a very long line.

We then drove through the “Vee” to Clogheen, Co. Tipperary, where we refuelled with tea, sandwiches etc. After this we made our way home, back through the Vee, stopping here and there to photograph the Rhododendrons and the various views.

Thanks Matt, Finbarr and Joe for your congenial company.

– John Tait

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ECCG Scavenger Hunt – 17/6/14

The Group before departure from the Courthouse, Midleton – Denis Barry

The final meeting of the Group before the summer break took place on a beautiful sunny evening on 17/6/14 when thirty members gathered at the Courthouse, Midleton for a scavenger hunt.

The members divided into seven groups and were given the following random themes, Metal, Active, Strong and Different, which were computer generated just before the 7pm ‘off’. The aim was to capture and submit one image per theme per group for a later competition to be judged at the Midleton Park Hotel.

In a sight unfamiliar in Midleton, thirty photographers departed, pilgrimage-like, from the courthouse and began to fan out through the side streets and alleyways in search of the elusive winning image while back at the Midleton Park Hotel preparations were underway for the later judging.

Judging underway – Finbarr O’Shea

From 8.30pm the groups returned to the hotel and submitted their entries in turn and following some sorting of the twenty-eight images, the judging began. With only an hour and a half allotted for the competition, the interpretation of the themes produced some great shots and with absolutely no post-processing, the images were judged straight from camera. With the members voting in their seven groups, tallying the marks was fast and so results were available very quickly.

The results were as follows:

In third place with 464 points was Group C: Andrew Corkbeg, Michael Foulds and Lorna O’Dwyer.

In second place, with 471 points, was Group E: Adrian Newcombe, Matt Dornan, Brian Murphy and Kevin Barry.

In first place, with 489 points, was Group A: Fidelma Read, Joe Keniry, Noelle Lowney and John Tait.

While not an individual competition, it was great to see two Grade C members, namely Joe Keniry and Noelle Lowney take first and second respectively in the overall individual scores. A very big ‘well done’ to both!

Winners: Group A: Joe Keniry, John Tait, Noelle Lowney and Fidelma Read

With strong images submitted by all four, Group A were indeed deserving winners and were presented with a stylish cake fashioned into a ‘Canon’ DSLR by the expert confectioners at Day’s Eurospar in Whitegate. Once the winning group had their photo taken with the cake, they shared the spoils with the vanquished (though I don’t think they had much say in it!).

The winners’ Cake – a master piece from Eurospar, Whitegate – Finbarr O’Shea

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While ECCG will not have regular meetings during July and August, shoots will continue on a weekly basis and meetings will resume again on 2nd September next. If you think you would like to get involved, contact us using this link.

Midleton Hospital Fête 15/6/14

Magda Klujewska-1

“On Sunday 15^th June, while some of our group headed to Kilkenny and Carlow to photograph trains and snakes, local interest was available at the Midleton Hospital Garden Fête.

Three members of the group attended the event which saw the rear of the hospital grounds laid out with stalls selling bric-à-brac, plants, local crafts, books, food and, of course, ice cream.

Pony and trap rides were provided by local man, Roy Daly, entertainment by Crystal Swing, with fun and games for all the family. The Midleton Concert Band were on hand to kick things off.”

– Anthony O’Connor

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