Tag Archives: River

Blackwater Boat Trip – 27/06/15

Blackwater Boat Trip J Keniry-1

On Sunday afternoon, June 27th, blessed with glorious weather, the ECCG took a leisurely boat trip up the river Blackwater. The river rises on the Cork/ Kerry border and flows through the towns of Mallow and Fermoy, then onto Co. Waterford through the towns of Ballyduff, Lismore and Cappoquin before finally entering the sea at Youghal.

We set off from the Quay side jetty at Youghal on our journey north towards the river Blackwater on the boat, Maeve, captained by Tony Gallagher and his loyal Jack Russell Louis. We sailed past Rhincrew, the old Youghal bridge built in the 1830’s and under the current bridge. Tony was also our guide for the day and as we headed up the river he gave us the full run down on the history of the great houses and ruins, famous people and events.

We sailed past some well-known historical sites – TempleMichael on the west bank where the ruins of a 14th century Geraldine castle and a later church built in the 1800’s can be seen, the ruins of the early 8th century monastic site Molona Abbey and the 18th century Georgian mansion Ballynatray House, a privately owned estate set in 850 acres.

Further up the river on the west side, the Old Strancally tower and the castle hidden by trees but as the boat got closer we managed to grab shots of this magnificent 18th century building. As we sailed further upstream, other houses of historical interest were Dromana House perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the river, the ruined tower house, Tourin Castle, located in the grounds of Tourin House and Campshire House. There were many houses along the river with boats moored at the end of their gardens.

Blackwater Boat Trip J Tait-10Along the river, much birdlife could be seen, mainly Herons, which were a feat in itself to try and capture the ideal shot as they took flight on our approach. The green foliage of trees and unspoilt landscapes provided a tranquil setting and contrast to the myriad of historical attractions along the river terrain.

Blackwater Boat Trip J Tait-24On the east side of the river we stopped at the pier at Villierstown boat club where we received a warm welcome and refreshments. After our stop we headed back downriver to Youghal and home.

Thanks to Tony and Louis for a fantastic day out on the river.

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

– Noelle Lowney

Blackwater – Western Shores Shoot – 26/14/15

Finbarr OShea Blackwater Shoot 26-04-15-5

On Sunday last, we gathered at Youghal Bridge, Rhincrew area where the Blackwater empties into the sea. The western shore of this famous river was to be our project for day. We would explore the castles, bridges and woods of this ‘Irish Rhine’  from Youghal to Cappoquin, famous for it’s salmon fishing.

The river itself rises in the Mullaghareirk mountains in county Kerry at 750 feet above sea level and travels for 105 miles, firstly in an easterly direction. That’s an average fall of  7 feet in every mile! Then at Cappoquin, it takes a ninety degree turn southwards to Youghal. It passes through Rathmore, Mallow, Fermoy, Lismore and Cappoquin. In years gone by, it was used to transport coal from Wales and the schooners would take timber on the return journey. Much of the river is tidal, so the ships would unload and reload while sitting on mud, then wait for the high tide to sail again. Some might take half a load in Cappoquin and fill it up, downstream in deeper waters.

James Brady Blackwater Shoot 26-04-15-2Our first stop was Templemichael. Here, we visited the ruin of a 14th century Geraldine castle where Walter Raleigh often stayed. There are the remains of a lovely spiral staircase there, with many limestone steps still in place. Here we met a local man, who filled us in on the history and stories of the area.

Alongside the castle is a church. This was lent to Catholics while the nearby Glendine church was being renovated. After that, it fell into a state of disrepair. We crossed a small tributary, The Toorig, and stopped briefly at the quaint Glendine church.

Jim Curtin Blackwater 26-04-15-4Onwards to Ballynatray Estate where, by kind permission, we visited Molana Abbey which was founded in 501AD. It is rumoured that leader of the Normans, Raymond Le Gros, is buried here!

From here, we enjoyed the wonderful Ballynatray House a bright yellow hue against the green hill behind, which is available for weddings and other events. It has its own boat house and salmon weir.

Next, was old Strancally Castle and then new Strancally Castle 1834 and Keep. After that, the road climbed and we had spectacular views of the river. Next, we crossed ‘The Bride’ using ‘Camphire Bridge’.The Bride is the main tributary and is navigable for 7 miles. Here, we got some nice shots of the stacks of reeds by the riverside being dried, ready for thatching.

We photographed Dromana House, high above the Backwater where the Bride joins in. Here, it is said, the old lady, Countess of Desmond lived to 112 years when she fell off a tree and died tragically.

Kevin Day - Blackwater-18Finally, we arrived in Cappoquin, as planned in time for our sunset and we were not disappointed. Some of us went down to the slip at the rowing club where we had the choice of shooting west along the river, towards the the 6 arch road bridge or south towards the long since decommissioned 5 arch railway viaduct with steel spans.

It turned into a spectacular sunset. Some of the members went on to Lismore and got great shots there also.

See our gallery from the shoot here. Enjoy!

– Kevin Day

 

Steam Train at Muine Bheag and Kilkenny – 18/5/14

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland ran a train pulled by steam locomotive number 461 from Connolly Station, Dublin to McDonagh Station, Kilkenny on Sunday 18/5/14. At around 12midday the train passed over the viaduct over the River Barrow, just south of Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown), Co. Carlow where East Cork Camera Group member, James Brady captured the event in this video.

The run was part of the RPSI’s 45th International railtour entitled ‘Saint Canice Railtour’ which runs from 17/5/14 – 19/5/14 and which we first heard about from Finbarr O’Neill during his talk to the Group on 15/4/14. Since the trip to Kilkenny would be the nearest the steam trains would get to Cork during this railtour, members of the Group resolved to try to capture the event in some form or other. We settled on the viaduct over the river Barrow at Muine Bheag as one place to shoot and also McDonagh station in Kilkenny where the train would stop for a couple of hours.

Following an early departure from the Midleton Park Hotel, we scoped out our location at the viaduct and breakfasted in Muine Bheag which was just beginning to awaken on this quiet Sunday morning. As well as providing the hearty start to the day, the eatery also provided coincidentally precise inspiration with its charming paintings of steam locomotives that had visited the town in past times.

Suitably bolstered on the double, we returned to the viaduct and set up the gear: one remote camera with wide angle lens set by the river bank, two hand-operated cameras and one video camera. Rain threatened and some drops did fall but thankfully we escaped the downpour that would arrive soon afterwards.

Fully set up, we awaited the arrival of the star of the show and right on cue, a whistle was heard in the distance along with the ever increasing rumble of an approaching train. Then, despite the advance warning, locomotive 461 pulling seven coaches seemed to appear out of nowhere and, accompanied by a crescendo of shutter clicks, crossed the viaduct and was gone with nothing but a whiff of burning coal left in the air. But for the absent ‘clickity clack’ sound, long since smothered by the development of continuous welded rail, this could have been a scene from 1922, the year that this enduring servant to Irish rail transport was built.

By the time we reached McDonagh station in Kilkenny, which is a cul-de-sac for rail traffic, the engine had already been uncoupled from its coaches, which were standing at platform 2, and was in the process of turning around at the Lavistown Loop Line outside the town in preparation for the return journey. Personnel from the RPSI and Irish Rail in hi-vis attire were busy preparing for the return of the locomotive to the station where routine maintenance would be carried out in a siding prior to departure. Despite the fact that each had their jobs to do, they made time to answer some rookie questions from enquiring photographers and, while ensuring all safety points were observed, were most accommodating in allowing us photograph the unfolding scene.

Volunteers all, the RPSI members are clearly and rightly enamoured of their locomotives and other rolling stock which have all been lovingly and painstakingly restored in their spare time. I suspect that only God knows the number of hours spent by the many people involved over the years, that has culminated in the trip covered in this post. Well done to all and thanks to everyone for your generosity to us during our short time with you in Kilkenny and Carlow. We hope to see you in Cork some time soon.

Please mouse over the image below to see and activate the slideshow controls. Enjoy.

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All photos by James Brady and Denis Barry.