Tag Archives: Ballycotton

Ballycotton Island Tour – 16/06/15

BC Island Finbarr OShea-2

Ever since Ballycotton Island Tours began operating, it was only a matter of time before ECCG got around to going with them and that trip came about on Tuesday evening last, 16/6/15. Our plans of photographing the island and Ballycotton village bathed in a brilliant sunset were dashed when a sea fog set in and enveloped the top of the island. Undeterred, we set off from the pier in the capable hands of our skipper, Diarmuid Walsh, a crewman of the local lifeboat, and guide, Derry Keogh.

BC Lighthouse John Tait-1All suitably attired with life jackets and fully briefed in water and boat safety, we left the shelter of the harbour and headed out across the sound in the tour boat ‘Yassy’ to the island, which we were surprised to hear, is nearly a mile offshore. After the fifteen minute crossing, Diarmuid brought our boat gently alongside the island pier where we disembarked and began the steep climb to the lighthouse.

Derry provided a commentary on the history of the island as we climbed to the top which gave us a great appreciation of the hardship of life on the island for the lighthouse keepers who worked and lived there.

BC Lighthouse Noelle Lowney-4On reaching the top, we entered the lighthouse and climbed the steps to the balcony, the scene of two marriage proposals since the tours began! The only connections on our minds however were those between the island and the mainland which we couldn’t see with the fog. We could only ponder then on the magnificent views we were missing but, never ones to be beaten, we explored the area and concentrated on shooting the buildings and wildlife which all provided an abundance of variety.

BC Lighthouse Denis Barry-8Having spent some time at the top, we eventually made our way back down to the pier and went on a short boat trip around the East of the Island and encountered the island’s small goat herd perched precariously on narrow rocks many meters above the water.

BC Lighthouse John Tait-8
As dusk settled in the bay, the light in the lighthouse came on and shone its familiar signal through the fog. Diarmuid took his cue and headed for home landing us safely back at the pier.

While disappointed with the poor weather, we were delighted to have done the trip and had seen enough to know that a return trip in better weather is something we will definitely do in the near future.

Ballycotton Lighthouse Tours operate tours daily to the island, weather permitting, and all details can be found at their website, www.ballycottonislandlighthousetours.com.

Click here to see our full gallery of images from the trip. Enjoy!

 

How I Took That Shot – Kevin Day

Kevin Day took first place in Grade B in our third internal competition of the year recently. The theme was ‘Night’ and this is how he made the image:

Kevin Day - Night Competition

Last year, when I heard there was a super moon on the way, I decided to head for Ballycotton. Silver strand seemed like a good option, the night was very calm, hardly a ripple in the water. I liked how the church was lit up in the distance and the moon reflecting on the water and of course the light house played it’s part.

I took various shots with different clouds, the tide was dropping quickly, eventually I settled on this one because it had the right light and the right cloud. I entered this shot because I thought it best matched the theme of the competition.

30 sec F20 50 mm ISO 250

Well done Kevin

See also:
How I took that Shot – Finbarr O’Shea
How I took that Shot – James Brady
Competition Gallery
Competition Results and 2015 League Table

Ballycotton Sunrise – 8/2/15

Finbarr OShea-4

Our weekend shoot took us to Ballycotton for sunrise on Sunday 8th Feb. 2015 and another installment in our Lighthouse’s project.

We set out from our meeting point at the Midleton Park Hotel at 6:45am and, having regrouped at Shanagarry, ten members in all headed for Ballycotton.

The forecast had looked promising and with high tide just passed, we arrived at Silver Strand at 7:25am for the 8am sunrise. However, as has happened all too often lately, heavy cloud lay over the horizon and it was clear we would not have the conditions we experienced at Church Bay two weeks previously.

After a brief discussion, some members opted to stay at Silver Strand while the remainder headed to the spot known locally as “The Men’s Bathing Place” on the cliff road, to get a closer view of the lighthouse.

Despite the disappointing sky there are always options at Ballycotton and a great morning was had by all.

This location will be worth a revisit later in the year. See the images below. Enjoy!

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     – Anthony O’Connor

Ballycotton Lifeboat Open Day – 3/8/14

Magda and RJ-10 Ballycotton was again blessed with a beautiful summer’s day for the annual Ballycotton Lifeboat Open Day on Sunday 3/8/14.

Naturally, the pier was the center of activities with all manner of sideshows to entertain the crowds as well as guided tours of the local lifeboat, the Austin Lidbury.

At 3.30pm a Coast Guard Helicopter appeared over the village and did a fly past of the pier before going back to base.

To complete the atmosphere, what better than a top Hollywood actor!

Mouse over the image below to activate the slideshow of images taken at the event. Enjoy!

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Ballycotton Shanty and Seafood Weekend 31/5/14

Finbarr OShea-3

photo – Finbarr O’Shea

The second annual Ballycotton Seafood and Shanty Weekend kicked off on Saturday 31/5/14 and members of ECCG were there to capture the atmosphere. A better day couldn’t have been ordered as the village basked in glorious sunshine.

Mouse over the image below to see and activate the slideshow controls and photographers’ details. Photography by Bill Sisk, Finbarr O’Shea, Anthony O’Connor and Denis Barry. Enjoy.

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