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

Cork Model Yacht Club – 12/06/18

Cork Model Yacht Club is based at the Lough in the heart of Cork City since its foundation in 1938. The club meets on Sundays, between 11.00 and 13.00, when around twelve yachts participate in various races. Six races are held with the course selected based on the direction of the wind. Results are then tabulated on a league basis.

The yachts are powered by wind only and there are no impellors, so if a yacht is taken off course, a dingey is brought out and someone has to collect it. The yachts might look small but they average about 5.5 feet tall on a work stand and cost several thousands of Euro depending on the model. They are all based on a single design. It is a well-established club and is authorised by Cork City Council to use the Lough. A nice bunch of lads who love to talk about yachts, of the real and model varieties. See www..facebook.com/corkmodelyachtclub for more.

Click here to see some images from one of their meets.

– Jim Curtin

Night Kayak Fundraiser – 20/04/2018

A night kayak event was organised in Whitegate, Co. Cork to raise funds to send a very seriously ill local teenager, Aaron McMahon, to the U.S.A to receive medical treatment.

The people of East Cork and from further afield turned out to support Aaron on the evening of 20th April. There was a great atmosphere on the pier and in the water as young and old took to the water in all types of crafts.

As the sunset approached and as the water began to fill with happy paddlers it was evident that the people of East Cork are determined to send this young lad to the States. Well done one and all.

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

– Eileen Upton

Ballindenisk Cup Polo Tournament – 26/27 May 2018

Ballindenisk Polo Club held their first tournament of the year on 26th and 27th May
and the East Cork Camera Group were delighted to be present to capture the
action.

Six teams took part: Rits, Curraghmore, Rocklow, Valley Farm, Bunclody
and Ballindenisk. The weather on Saturday was absolutely perfect allowing the first
round of games to get off to a terrific start. As the teams jostled each other for
possession, it gave us quite a challenge to keep up, such was the speed of play.
Despite heavy rain on Saturday night, play started at 12 pm on Sunday. The pitch
held up well but needed the help of supporters to thread the field between games as
the ponies tore up patches of grass as they galloped up and down the field.

The final came down to Curraghmore and Bunclody but, in the end, Curraghmore were
decisive winners, taking the Ballindenisk Cup home to Waterford for 2018.

A thoroughly enjoyable weekend of sport was had by all present and the East Cork
Camera Group are looking forward already to the next Polo Tournament to be held
at this fantastic venue.

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

– Eileen Upton

Guest Speaker – Kevin Dwyer, A.I.P.P.A. – Life lived through a Lens

Kevin Dwyer, A.I.P.P.A., photographer and author, was our guest speaker on Tuesday, 20th March last. He spoke to us about his life as lived through a lens beginning with his
family history and how his grandfather began a knitwear business in Cork which developed into the Sunbeam Textile Company. On leaving school, Kevin found himself in the banking world.

He always had a love of photography and, in keeping with the family business, he began his photographic career photographing textiles. This quickly developed into the design of brochures and in turn into printing. He explained to us the different types of print methods used at the time and how he introduced new print methods into the industry. Rather than boring us with too much technical information, he also related some hair-raising moments when photographing models for the Sunbeam brochures when health and safety restrictions were not as they are now!!

His photography expanded into tourism and subsequently the business sector for corporate profiles. His first aerial photographic commission was in 1989 and this took him into the high end of the property market and infrastructural developments which were just commencing in Ireland at that time. He explained to us the advancements that have been made in photography since he began using film to the digital age that we have now. It was very interesting to learn the actual process undertaken by him when he first started his career.

As Kevin always had an interest in sailing, it led him to indulge himself with aerial
photography of the coastline of Ireland and also of Ireland’s waterways and he has published three books on the subject.

We were treated to a beautiful display of his work from its very beginning to the last
photographs taken by him before he retired.

A very enjoyable and informative meeting was had by all and we came away truly
appreciating the beauty on our doorstep which we had just encountered from a completely different perspective.

– Eileen Upton