Cork City Military Show 2016

Cork Military Show KLeeson-2

This years Cork City Military Show took place at the Curraheen Showgrounds on the 6th and 7th of August. All proceeds went to the Cork Simon Community. It was a great family day out with lots of interesting trading stalls, airsoft, archery, living history displays and food stalls.

The highlight of the day was the various  reenactments that took place in the ‘arena’ at the centre of the grounds. Bringing history to life was the Roman Military Society –  Legion Ireland, the Irish Military Re-enactment Group (IMRG) and The WWII Club who put on some fantastic battles to entertain the crowd.

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

– Karina Leeson

 

Camphire International Horse Trials and Country Fair – 30/07/2016

Camphire Horse 2016 NLowney-9

On a sunny Saturday July 30th 2016, ECCG made their way to the Camphire International Horse trials and Country Fair  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.

Camphire Horse 2016 JTait-18The 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 27th. This year more than 350 horses competed 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.

Camphire Horse 2016 EUpton-10Eventing 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.

Camphire Horse 2016 JCurtin-8Dressage, the first phase consists of competitors taking their horse through a sequences of predetermined movements in walk, trot and canter to display the horse’s obedience, willingness and overall athleticism. The second phase is the cross country where competitors gallop their horses 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.
Camphire Horse 2016 TOConnell-42Blessed 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.

 

 

ClicCamphire Horse 2016 JKeniry-8k here to see a full gallery of images from the shoot. Enjoy!

 – Noelle Lowney

 

 

 

City Spectacular – 16-17/07/2016

City Spectacular 16-07-16 NL-18

The Laya Healthcare City spectacular, reputed to be Ireland’s biggest and most popular summer festival, came to Fitzgerald Park, Cork over the weekend of July 16th and 17th 2016. Blessed with dry weather, this 2 day fun event had something for everyone with a host of street performers from around the world performing amazing acts including fire eaters, contortionists, acrobats, sword swallowers and other imaginative entertainers. Other activities included face painting, balloon modelling, arts and crafts workshop, circus theatre and music, variety shows and other activities for all ages.

City Spectacular 16-07-16 DB-14The huge crowds who attended the event gasped in amazement at the international street performers as they watched them loop, hoop, flip and twist before their eyes. Awe inspiring acrobats brought an array of hand balancing, Chinese pole acts and circus skills to the event. Other amazing acts included a Reptile tattooed Lizard man side show , flaming throwing and whip cracking jugglers. For the children there was a Kid’s Court, an act which called on children to ‘rule the turf’ where the judge with the support from the children tried, sentenced and punished parents with mischievous activities.

Food was also a big focus at the festival where a dedicated food festival area was created called ‘Just Eat Street’ which saw food demonstrations and a wide variety of cuisine from around the world.

ECCG was on hand to capture the imaginative and talented street performers on camera with some great shots taken on the day. A memorable and great day was had by all. Click here to see a gallery of images from the shoot. Enjoy

– Noelle Lowney

Aslan at Ardmore – 24/07/2016

Aslan at Ardmore DB-23

Ardmore’s 10th Pattern Festival was brought to a close on Sunday 24/07/2016 with a concert by veteran Dublin rock band, Aslan. With the stage located on the carpark overlooking the strand, the concert kicked off at 5pm on a beautiful summer’s evening, a just reward for the obvious hard work and detailed organisation that went into bringing this well established event to fruition.

Christy Dignam and the band were in fine form, belting out their many hits from their 30+ years on the road. Clearly glad to be back in Ardmore, the large crowd were glad to have them back too as young and not-so-young sang and swayed to the music on the beach in front of the stage.

Altogether a fantastic atmosphere in Ardmore and by all accounts, a fantastic festival week in the west Waterford village too. Well done all.

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

 

Imokilly Mini Stages Rally – 17/07/2016

Imokilly Rally 16-07-16 EU-2

It is not often that a Road Rally comes around and when the Imokilly Motor Club announced the date of their Mini Stages 2016 for Sunday, 17th July the members of East Cork Camera Group began to gear themselves up for the action. The main sponsor for the Rally was O’Briens garages Midleton and Mallow while the Culann Wants to Walk fund was the Motor Club’s charity of choice.

The Rally itself was made up of 2 stages done 3 times with service after Stages 2 and 4 and finish back at the Midleton Park Hotel. Stages 1, 3 and 5 were held in the Cloyne area and Stages 2, 4 and 6 were held in Ballintotis. The 1st Stage was very technical and 2nd Stage was a more flowing open stage. The Clerk of the Course reported that it covered 80 km to ” test man and machine to the limit”.

Imokilly Rally 16-07-16 FOS-3

Some of our members managed to get to Spectator viewing points along the route while others were locked in (due to road closures) bringing the Rally to them.

As the time for the start of the Rally neared there was an element of excitement and anticipation in the air and when the Safety Car passed we all knew that the race was about to get underway. Within minutes the sound of an engine could be heard approaching and the noise of stones being scattered through the air as the first car took corners at high speed. Then in the blink of an eye the first car had passed by and the next car was following within seconds in it’s tracks. The driver may have had his foot on the accelerator but the members of ECCG had their fingers on the shutter button ready to capture the action!

Imokilly Rally 16-07-16 AOC-3

96 cars started the Rally but sadly all did not finish as they encountered problems along the route. The Midleton Park Hotel was the Rally HQ and the Scrutiny, Parc Ferme and Service were at Market Green. Those that finished returned to a heroes’ welcome at Market Green and our members were there too to capture the excitement.

Imokilly Rally 2016 FR-14

1st Jonathan Pringle/James Fulton ­ Ford Escort ­ Car No. 102 ­ 43m 52s
2nd Declan Gallagher/Shane O’Mahony­ Toyota Starlet RWD ­ Car no. 008 ­ 44m.23s
3rd Enda O’Brien/John Butler ­ For Escort RS Mk2 ­ Car No. 002 ­ 44m 25s

Well done to Imokilly Motor Club for organising such an exciting and challenging event.

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

 – Eileen Upton