Sony VG10E

PHOTOGRAPHED MAY 2011 AND REPROCESSED 15 JUNE 202

The church grounds are south of the River Lee on Holy Island, on one of the many inlets forming the Great Marsh of Munster. Saint Fin Barre’s is on the site of at least two previous church buildings, each dedicated to Fin Barre of Cork, patron saint of Cork city and founder of the monastic hermitage at Gougane Barra.

Finbarr was born in about 550. He was, by legend, given Gougane Barra as a place of contemplation, and visited Cork city to lay the foundation stones for the “one true Christian faith”. According to tradition, after Finbarr died his remains were brought to Cork to be enclosed in a shrine near the site of today’s cathedral.

Archaeological evidence suggests the first site at Fin Barre’s probably dates from the 7th century, and consisted of a church and round tower that survived until the 12th century, after which it fell into neglect, or was destroyed during the Norman invasions.

These images date from May 2011 and I used a Sony VG10E with a Sony E 18-200mm lens. The NEX-VG10 is a camcorder and while I like it (and still use it today in 2023) it does not offer RAW as an option which is a great pity.

I had planned to photograph the interior of the church but when I arrived I discovered that there was no public assess (because of repair work) and despite visiting the area at least once every year I never did get to photograph the interior.

I already visited Cork in May 2023 and as a backup had booked a hotel for four nights in August. I asked if I could change my August booking [which cost Euro 434] to May 2024 and was informed that it would cost an additional Euro 500 so I will not be visiting Cork in 2024. I have already failed to secure affordable accommodation in Belfast, Limerick, Waterford or Galway for 2023 or 2024 which is disappointing.