Taken on Garretstown beach last October. These guys were doing a warm up run before starting their surf lessons at Gtown surf school. I couldn’t help but think of Chariots of Fire!

An old ZV reg Landrover parked up at Moll’s Gap between Killarney and Kenmare. An unusual location to try and sell a vehicle, but kind of fitting given the machine that it is at the same time!

Taken on a quiet Sunday morning in Sneem.

I saw these three Vespas parked outside O’Shea’s pub in Sneem back in June. A pink pub & Vespas – my imagination, strange thing that it is, started running riot. I could just imagine, three bikers on a road trip, drinking beer, chasing women, scaring old ladies and generally causing trouble.

There was a Vespa convention on in Killarney that weekend and thousands of crazy Vespa-owners had ridden from all over Europe to be there – some even flew their Vespas over from further afield. A dedicated and funny bunch.

Last Sunday saw day two of the Cork Photowalk head to Fort Camden in Crosshaven, Co. Cork. I had been to Crosshaven several times before and passed by Fort Camden on the water. I knew there was an old fort there – but I thought it was a small one. It turns out that Fort Camden is vast, but it is well hidden – it was also very overgrown the last time I saw it.

The Fort, dating from 1550, has lay in a mostly derelict state for some time. In 2010, a local group of voulenteers called “Rescue Camden” (www.rescuecamden.ie) started work on the restoration and development of Fort Camden. And given that they only started work a year ago, their progress fantastic. They have cleared the grounds and have started restoring a number of buildings in the Fort.

Like Spike Island, Fort Camden left me wanting more  – I’ll definitely be back.

It’s been a while since my last post – life has been hectic with work and cars. Sí and I took part in a photowalk around the Cork Fortifications last weekend. The first day took in Spike Island (and some of Cork city, which I didn’t make it to). Spike Island is a strange place – when we arrived, it struck me as being very peaceful place. About five minutes later our guide told us about Viking raids, convict ships leaving for Van Diemen’s Land, the War of Independence and riots in the eighties… this place had a sad, often violent past. It really is an incredible place though, just to look around at the buildings – from the Fort itself to the various cell blocks, all had been built at different points in, what is now, History. While most of the buildings on the Island are derelict, there is plenty to see and definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Cobh with a few hours to spare.

About the photos:
I’ve tried to move away from my standard processing – I’m not sure what to make of the results. All opinions/advice welcome – just leave a comment below!

Thanks to Ryan & Photowalk.ie for organising the Photowalk!

An arm of one of the Canal Gates behind the Roisin Dubh in Galway.

Shot from the Claddagh side of the River Corrib of colourful houses on “The long walk”.

A fishing boat lies on the bed of the Corrib river, Galway city.

A Galway city skyline – the churches of St. Augustines, St. Nicholas and the Cathedral.

By the time you would have this mess untangled, you’d know every inch of this rope. Taken outside the Claddagh Community Boat Club in Galway city.

Two neglected boats lie at the edge of the Corrib at the Claddagh Community Boat Club in Galway city. I took this with my trusty old 30D while out and about for a weekend with the Nokia N8. I have to say – this took a bit more processing than the photos from the N8… doesn’t say much for my photography skills!