Friday, February 25, 2011

Swirling Mist, Rough Waters - Ballydonegan Pier, Allihies

© Ann Brien

Slipway

© Ann Brien

Treacherous Rocks

© Ann Brien

Amazing rock formation

© Ann Brien

Pier Staircase

© Ann Brien

Amazing rock formation, different angle

© Ann Brien

Thick mist, green water, rock - breathtaking!

I shot those images yesterday afternoon at Ballydonegan Pier, Allihies in a fierce gale which sometimes made holding my phone steady virtually impossible.

My experience while walking around the pier would come close to what I'd call a spiritual one. I almost felt what had I done to deserve these very special moments during which I observed what I love most of all, the sea at her wildest. She gave an unrivaled performance. Taken February 2011.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

A West Cork Sunset

© Ann Brien

I stood for a long time observing this sunset. As the seconds ticked by I knew I had to capture its beauty before the moment was lost forever. Allihies, Beara Peninsula, West Cork. Taken October 2010.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Rough Waters - Ballydonegan Bay, Allihies

© Ann Brien

Mid-afternoon three days ago in Ballydonegan Bay, Allihies. The roar of the waters was akin to the noise from a motorway at rush hour but without the traffic. Only the sound of the wind and waves to delight the ears. Taken February 2011.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Twilight - Allihies, West Cork

© Ann Brien

This was the light over Allihies, Beara Peninsula, West Cork three hours ago. Taken February 2011.

Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork

© Ann Brien


Everyman Palace Theatre first opened in 1879 and is the sister theatre of the Olympia Theatre in Dublin. Certainly from the exterior view I would go so far as to say they are twin sisters. Taken February 2011.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Hotel Isaacs, MacCurtain Street, Cork

© Ann Brien

Hubby and I broke our long journey to West Cork by spending the night in the Victorian, Hotel Isaacs, MacCurtain Street, Cork. From the moment I first glanced its image I knew this would be our night's place of rest. I've a passion for high ceilings and those lovely tall windows that you can sit in. This hotel has both. Taken February 2011.

Hotel Isaacs, Cork - Kitchen Into Bedroom

© Ann Brien

This was the view from our huge kitchen into the bedroom. Taken February 2011.

Hotel Isaacs, Cork - Kitchen Into Bathroom

© Ann Brien

View from our kitchen into the bathroom. Taken February 2011.

Hotel Isaacs, Cork - Courtyard View One

© Ann Brien

Entrance to Hotel Isaacs. Floodlit waterfall in distance. Taken February 2011.

Hotel Isaacs, Cork - Courtyard View Two

© Ann Brien

View of courtyard from waterfall. Taken February 2011.

Hotel Isaacs, Cork - Waterfall

© Ann Brien

This waterfall in the hotel's courtyard is breathtakingly beautiful when floodlit at night time. Taken February 2011.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

St. Brigid's Primary School, Haddington Road, Dublin

© Ann Brien

This was the entrance we used from the playground. I liked it. Taken January 2006.

Room With A View - St. Brigid's Primary School, Haddington Road, Dublin

© Ann Brien

The view from these windows was of the playground where the lunch time games we played included; "ring a ring a rosy", "the farmer wants a wife", "red rover, red rover" and "stand the lady on the mountain". Taken January 2006.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Band Stand, Stephen's Green, Dublin

© Ann Brien

I have a wonderful childhood memory of my parents taking me into town one lovely summer evening. The highlight of our walkabout was Stephen's Green park where a brass band played loud uplifting tunes in the beautiful ornate band stand. I'd never heard anything like it, my first experience of live music! It was an evening of sensual pleasures, the sound of the music, the images of the setting sun and the people just strolling along. Fifty years on, it's one of my treasured memories. Taken May 2010.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Dodder Gate

© Ann Brien

While walking with hubby on a lovely sunny early September afternoon I was struck by the beauty of these steps along the Dodder river leading to Bushy Park. They looked like they could be from a scene from The Secret Garden or maybe a fantasy film. Taken September, 2010.