Wonderful Cobh, Cork , Ireland

Photography, apart from being a profession, also provides the soul with unending material to refresh and renew ones outlook on life  .  Living just outside Cork City, It never fails to surprise me with the numerous locations to find inspiration and images.  Take for example Cobh, just a fifteen minute drive from my location. Steeped in history, Cobh formerly known as Queenstown, is on the south side of Great island in Cork Harbour. Cobh is home to Irelands only dedicated cruise terminal attracting tourists from all over the world, its Maritime history a magnet with its association with the RMS Titanic. For AJ Photography and for my own personal work, I often find myself wandering the streets of the Harbour town with Camera in hand. Looking out across the Harbour ( the World's second largest natural Harbour ) it is easy to image the Titanic at anchor just outside the mouth to the harbour, as passengers were transported to the liner before its fateful journey. There is a memorial garden close to the Cork coastguard building, which carries the names of those lost at sea. Indeed there are several memorials to both the Titanic and the Lusitania . The Lusitania was a British ocean liner which was sunk by German submarines in World War 1, causing a major diplomatic uproar. She was also run by the Cunard line and was  based in Liverpool. Her wreck lies about 11 miles off the old head of Kinsale lighthouse. 1,198 souls were lost when the liner sank.
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THE NAVIGATOR'
This Sculpture by Mary Gregory is located on the Cobh waterfront . Created in bronze, the statue denotes a Christ like figure sitting in a boat shaped tub. He holds in his hands a small boat , looking out to sea . It is supposed to represent the guiding force of a benevolent Christ, helping weak and vulnerable human beings as they battle against the seas storms.. Whatever you believe in, .you cannot but be touched by the significance of this gesture taking into account the nearby sea and historical Maritime history of Cobh.

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Another image from Cobh shot by AJ Photography.  This is a bronze statue of Irish Olympic Hero Sonia O'Sullivan a native of Cobh. Commissioned by Cobh tourism , the statue is located in the centre of Cobh town, with the Iconic St. Coleman's Cathedral in the background.

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FOLKS YOU MIGHT MEET IN COBH
Whilst I was on my wanderings along Cobh waterfront recently I came across this interesting bunch of people, who had just got off a boat from the nearby Spike Island.  ( this will be the subject of another blog soon. )  They are members of the Cobh Animation team, who bring to life the rich history and heritage of Cobh town. This chance meeting was just that , a chance meeting.  As I had my camera with me, I quickly got them into formation , which they politely agreed, and grabbed this shot..Thanking them, I continued on my wanderings along the sea front.  I had just witnessed a look back of what Cobh would have looked like in another Century. !!!  Thanks Cobh Animation team .