On a wet Saturday August 20th 2016, the annual Cork Coal Quay Festival took place. The festival saw the Corn market and North Main street traders come together in the Coal Quay area in the centre of Cork city -regarded as one of the oldest parts of the city to join in the festivities. Now in it’s 5 year, the festival celebrated the rich tradition, heritage and culture of music, song, stories and more resonating the nostalgia of Cork city.
At 12 noon on the day, the bell chimes of the historic Shandon bells could be heard with the Banks of My own lovely Lee to celebrate the opening of the festival. The Coal Quay Shawlies began the celebration as they set off from the North Gate bridge walking along North Main street to Kyle Street finishing at Cornmarket street where they were met by the Lord Mayor of Cork who officially opened the festival. The Cobh Animation team as well as the People of the Middle Parish traders were also present dressed in traditional costumes adding to the atmosphere of yester year. Prayers were said in remembrance of the deceased Coal Quay traders and doves were released in their memory. Various musicians performed including the Roaring Forties entertained the crowds.
The damp and torrential rain did not deter some brave ECCG members dodging the odd downpour of rain attending the festival to capture images of the festivities in the one of Cork City’s most historic areas.
See a gallery of images from the shoot here. Enjoy!
– Noelle Lowney
The annual display has been ingrained in the memories of countless people who, as children, were brought to see the pyrotechnic wonder. One woman in her eighties recalled, as a young girl, trying to see the display from a hill many miles away while this writer saw them first about 50 years ago for the first time.
This year’s crop of youngsters couldn’t wait for the display to begin. Their first countdown from ten started about 10minutes prematurely and was quickly followed by another about five minutes later each one finishing with oohs and aahs of disappointment when nothing happened! Not to be deterred, they started another which finished just a tad prematurely this time and was followed by the inevitable audible disappointment. However just as their disappointment was at its height, the first rocket screamed skywards instantly changing the mood of the kids to screams of excitement!
ECCG were stationed right around the display from Whitepoint to Fort Davis and some really nice colour bursts were captured that have all been posted in our gallery of the event.
Blessed with idyllic 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 of us.
k here to see a full gallery of images from the shoot