Reptile Village | East Cork Camera Group

Following on from our very successful trip to Kilkenny and Carlow on 18/5/14 for the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s St. Canice Railtour, we decided to head in that direction again for the RPSI’s ‘Marble City’ run featuring the same steam locomotive No. 461. On arrival at McDonagh station in Kilkenny, the bad news was that there had been a problem up the line and the RPSI train would arrive late and would be hauled by a diesel locomotive. The fate of locomotive 461 was unknown but the word was that it would arrive in Kilkenny some time later.

12.40pm Waterford – Dublin at Bagenalstown – Denis Barry

That being the case, we decided to head for Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown), Co. Carlow in the hope of catching a glimpse there. On arrival, the news was that the RPSI train had already arrived in Kilkenny and the scheduled, 12.40pm Waterford to Dublin train had left. We reckoned that the Waterford to Dublin should be with us very soon and sure enough, within minutes it rounded the bend just south of the Bagenalstown viaduct and sped past us just feet from our position on the public road.

As is the case with train photography, you wait, it passes, it’s all over before you know it and you hope you have something in the can. And here we were, two Cork men in Carlow photographing a run-of-the-mill, diesel, inter-city train that we could just as easily have done at home! Having digested the anticlimax and irony of it all we decided to move on. Then, while packing the gear, a faint rumble was heard and, low and behold, there was locomotive 461 steaming hurriedly towards us on a solo run to Kilkenny to rejoin the RPSI train. In the mad scramble that ensued, only a few frames were got off but the scene was captured successfully by Matt Dornan. Shoot successful, day saved! Phew!

Locomotive 461 Kilkenny bound at Bagenalstown – Matt Dornan

Happy to have captured the photo we came for, we left Bagenalstown somewhat re-vitalised and visited The Reptile Zoo in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny where, though basking lazily in the high humidity, some of the animals were happy to pose for our cameras. Slow moving and predictable, there would be no more surprises today!

Mouse over the image below to see and operate the slideshow controls and photographer details. Enjoy.

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On Saturday 29/6/13, ten members of the Group made a day-trip to Counties Kilkenny and Carlow. First stop was Ireland’s only Reptile Village Conservation Zoo in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.

A large range of exotic creatures from Tarantulas to Crocodiles were on display and the helpful and enthusiastic staff, who imparted their extensive knowledge of the animals to us, made it very easy to get some images to remember.

The Reptile Village is easy to find and really worth a trip for the photographer and non-photographer alike.

Get all the details on their website here.

Next stop on our journey was the Woodlands Falconry Bird of Prey Centre in the Rathwood Home and Garden Centre on the Shillelagh Road, Tullow, Co. Carlow, where eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls, etc were on display. To experience the beauty and elegance of these majestic birds was worth the admission alone but the chance to make some images of the birds, both while static and in flight, was absolutely fabulous.

We walked through the woods accompanied by an eagle, owl and hawk and made some images of the birds in their natural surroundings. Trying to get images of the birds in flight was a real challenge but really enjoyable and fantastic to get so close to these magnificent creatures as they swooped, literally millimeters, above our heads.

Many thanks to falconers, Tommy and Carol, who were most accommodating and really facilitated the Group during our visit. Again, we couldn’t over recommend this centre for both photographers and non-photographers alike.

Get all the details of the Woodlands Falconry Bird of Prey Centre here.