3 Castle Head West Cork by drone

Back in 2020 I got my first drone it was a DJI Mavic Mini. It served me well over the couple years I used it, it may have got slightly abused at times though.. 

But, one of the first big outings I went out with it was to 3 Castle Head, West Cork. Now there is a bit of a hike to see this place, it's not exactly the easiest places to get to. 

Anyway, a drone opens up a new, very different, perspective to photography. I don't think I would have liked the photos I got from 3 castle head if it wasn't for the drone. the height and distance out showing the cliff added the view i think works for the place. I have since updated my drone the the Dji Mavic Mini 3 so 2 generations newer. 

I will add the photos of 3 castle head here, If ye want to know more about 3 castle head continue on down passed the photos..

3 castles head or Dunlough castle was founded in 1207 by a man named Donagh O'Mahony. There are 3 fortified towers/keeps, which is where it gets its name from.

These towers are connected by more than 100 feet (30.48 metres) of wall. The lake here is apparently Man-made(unconfirmed on my side) some of these walls stand at 15 ft (4.6m)

There are reports of a "white lady" who walks the shore of the lake. people could confuse the the froth that come of this lake on windy days as the "white lady". but the story goes if you walk 3 castle head and see the "white lady" it's an omen of your death in the coming days. 

Thank you for reading catch you next time 

Ben McCarthy

A camera you most likely didn't know about

 I have an obsession with going onto Adverts.ie and Facebook marketplace looking for old, second hand cameras. All to use them for videos for TikTok and YouTube. 

My most recent purchase is a little bit of an odd one though, its one I've only heard of recently, and its from Samsung. Now, Samsung have done plenty of point and shoot cameras before and after this one but this one stands out just a little bit. 

It's the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2. This camera came out in 2014 replacing the first one which came out in 2012. Coming with a 1/2.3-inch sensor and equipped with the equvilent of a 23-483mm lens. It comes well equppied for most situations.  This camera is an oddball becuase it uses the android system on the back. For the technerds who may or may not be reading this it runs the jellybean 4.3 android  system. However, you can't make any phone calls or send text off of it. but you could play older phone games  and still access the internet through google chrome. 

Have had a few test runs with this camera will update when futher along with photos and videos 

Coppinger's court abandoned 1600's house

 Earlier this month, January, I travelled down to West Cork, Ireland to see the abandoned fortified house known as Coppinger's Court and to get some photos and videos of the spot. 

Coppinger's court, located near Rosscarbery, was built in 1616 for/by Sir Walter Coppinger. 

Walter Coppingers was a well know money lender/loan shark whichever you prefer to call him. His plan was to build a small town around his house but was opposed by the other locals at the time. If someone would disagree with his ideas the story goes he would hang the person or people from one of the sides of the house, because of this there has been reports of hauntings in the house. People have reported to have heard screaming at night or have felt like they're being watched. 

One story is that, the screams are from Sir Walter himself, the story says he died in a fit of rage when he couldn't execute a servent of his on a Sunday. Another story says the house was burned down by his servents after he told them that he was going out to settle an argument with a neighbour and if he didn't return by a certain hour. Sir Walter would win the argument but forgot about his instruction after going out to celebrate with alot of food and wine. 

On Wikipedia it says the house was burned down in 1641 during an attack in the Irish rebellion.

 Sir Walter Coppinger died in 1939. The house was taken over by his brother Dominic, despite Walter having several sons. Now the house is left in ruins with barely anything done to it since.. 

Hope ye enjoyed the little story of what I could find online of the place. Here's some photos of the place.. 

Thanks for reading 

Ben Mc.

What's my new camera set up

 So, when I first did these blogs six to seven years ago I was using a Canon 750D. Which very much served it's purpose to learn and grow my photography on. I got that camera in November of 2016 and used it until mid 2021. I'll add some photos here to for some context of whay my photography  was like with it 

In 2021 I finally upgrade the camera(or let it finally rest) and got myself a Sony A7Riii along with the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 which is a small upgrade but I was delighted with the results I was getting with it and I still am fours years later. Over the next year or so I added the sony 16-35mm F4 and the Sigma 150-600mm to my set up I kinda really missed getting wildlife shots cause I pretty much stopped using the Canon at this stage. 

With the Sony and lenses I was improving my photography once again and my shots where getting better as well. Partly cause of the experience I already had, partly cuase of all the extra features and functions on the A7Riii

So, I used the Canon 750D for around 4 and a half years and I'm coming up to 4 years with the Sony this May, and I have no plans on getting rid of it any time soon. 

Anyway thank you for reading I will finish this blog of with a few photo from the Sony. 

Ben McCarthy

Long time, no Blog

 It's been awhile since I've done a blog here, about 6 years actually. Im going to start doing Blogs again in the coming weeks. Can't remeber why I stopped posting these to be exact I did enjoy writing them.. 

What to expect in the coming blogs is Photography content mainly, I have updated my camera system(s) and expanded a bit, but more to come on that later. Will be going more in depth now over the last time I did these as I have a little bit more experience in the field. 

I have also more Video work done as well. My Youtube channel will be getting back into action as well.  

For now I will keep it short and sweet so this is it for my first blog back 

Thank you for reading and hope you stick around 

Ben McCarthy.