Continuing our Lighthouse project, ECCG travelled to Galley Head near Clonakilty in West Cork on Sunday 17/04/16. Perched on the southern most point of a 40.5m (133 foot) high headland known as Dundeady Island, the the 21m tower stands 53m over Mean High Water Spring.
Attendant lightkeeper, Gerald Butler, 
was on hand to give us the grand tour of the installation and entertained us with an in depth talk on his career as a Lightkeeper on various lighthouses around the country. Steeped in the Light Keeping tradition, both of Gerald’s grandfathers, both parents, uncles and brother were all Lightkeepers so it was inevitable that he would enter the service himself.
On retirement, Gerald committed his life story to print in the book ‘The Lightkeeper’ in which he recollects the terrible traumas of crews battling for their lives on mountainous seas in horrendous stormy conditions. He describes in detail the tragic 1979 Fastnet Yacht Race which involved 3000 competitors and more than 4000 rescuers, and in which he played a vital role as lighthouse keeper on the forbidding Fastnet Rock towering over the storm struck vessels as they struggled for survival. The book is a fascinating read and is available here.
We were really hoping to get a sunset on our trip to Galley Head but it wasn’t to be on this occasion – a ready made excuse for the return trip!
See a gallery of images from the shoot here. Enjoy!
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Elizabeth Fort is one such site off Barrack Street a soldiers barracks which fulfilled necessary military and security functions in earlier centuries. In subsequent centuries Barrack Street became the focal point from which further residential development spread from the over populated city centre. As we strolled along this street, we felt an historic feel to this street with its many derelict, abandoned and massive decay.
Daly’s Bridge, the Pedestrian bridge known locally as the ‘Shaky Bridge’ was built in 1926 and spans the River Lee and is the habitat of much bird life. The pedestrian bridge is made from timber planks and wrought iron supports. While there, we took the opportunity to walk across the bridge and experience for ourselves the ‘shakiness’ of the bridge.
Pod became a subject of interest to photograph. This unusual garden piece won a medal at the Chelsea Flower show and later was transformed from a flying Sky garden to a platform over the River Lee. The Pod is surrounded by a colourful display of plants, shrubs and reflective stainless steel spheres and domes.
We then made our way to the one of the ‘jewels of Cork City’ the Old English market. This market is one of the oldest markets in Cork with long history dating back to the 1788. It is the main shopping institution with Cork people with its unique character, cosmopolitan atmosphere, vibrancy and rich shopping experience. Various stalls selling a variety of farm produce and a more exotic fare with foodstuffs from all over the world as well as the traditional meat, tripe and ‘drisheen and fish. The array of colour provided great photo opportunities in this interesting place.
We then walked to St Fin Barre’s Cathedral situated near the heart of City. Before going into the Cathedral grounds we took a detour to the left of the side entrance, up steps towards Barrack Street to view a very colourful urban street art, primarily recalling the Rolling Stones Irish tour in 1965. Once we finished here we returned to the St Fin Barre’s cathedral. The building was built in 1863 by the Victorian architect, William Bruges and was dedicated to St Fin Barre, replacing a previous building which once stood on the same spot believed to be the site of a monastery founded by the St Fin Barre in the 7th century. The present cathedral building is from the neo gothic period and is made from Cork limestone, marble as well as Bath Stone. We spent some time in the grounds of the cathedral capturing the immense exterior of this towering building with its spiky spires, gurning gargoyles and rich sculpture which all contribute to it’s magnificent presence and stature.
As we made our way back towards the city centre we stopped, en route, to take photos of the red and white wrought iron foot bridge located in the North Mall area and also the very colourful buildings on the other side of the river. As we approached the Corn Market and North Main streets there were more beautiful urban art images to be found. On reaching the top of North Main street we crossed into Paul Street walking to the end of Half Moon street to view the amazing wall art on the side wall of the Cork Opera House. The large mural which runs the length of the street features giant stylised portraits in three tones of electric blue of literary giants such as George Bernard Shaw, WB Yeats, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Samuel Becket and more.
