Christian worship on this Co.Antrim site between Portrush and Bushmills has been taking place since the 14th century, but this derelict building is thought to date back to the early 1600’s when the area was being populated by the Protestant settlers from the Scottish Borders, which may account for its name, dedicated to the north English saint Cuthbert.
Apparently it is the only church in Ireland dedicated to Cuthbert.
Continue reading St Cuthbert’s Church, DunluceI’ve had quite a few conversations about weeds over the years. Not just the complaints at home about the weeds that grow in the lawn, and seem to be indestructible. A few weeks ago I was complaining about those garden weeds, and the persistent clover in particular, and the other party to the conversation implored, “Let the weeds alone… they’re part of nature…” Another joined in with the perceived wisdom that weeds are just flowers in the wrong place!
Anyway I’ve just discovered why weeds exist. To relieve boredom! On Saturday 6th June 2026, I was standing on the edge of Portglenone Forest in Co.Antrim, waiting for an athletics event to finish, and I was in a lull in the action, I was bored. Then I saw some WEEDS and I lifted the camera. Here’s one of the shots…
So, I have been enlightened. Weeds exist to relieve the boredom of a photographer, in athletic action lulls.
This photograph was made using the Fujifilm X-T5 with a 70-300mm lens, and the aperture was open wide, because I was shooting athletics, so I needed a fast shutter speed and reasonably high ISO.
A PLEASURE to photograph the wedding of Callum and Emma yesterday, 27th May 2026! A gorgeous warm day, with locations at Bangor, Portrush, (Magheracross and White Rocks) and concluding the day at the always splendid Royal Court Hotel, where the 200 or so guests enjoyed a fabulous meal, and great company.
Night time in Randalstown, and the ‘Old Congregation’ Presbyterian Church stands aglow, a beacon of warmth and hope. Captured with my Fujifilm X-T50, this moment is a gentle reminder that even in the darkest times, light and love can shine through.
May we all find the love and light of Christ in our hearts this Christmas.
As a Skoda driver myself, when I enter Randalstown from the M2, I’m always intrigued by this vintage Skoda that’s seen better days—like, maybe during the disco era?
Now it’s living its best life as a floral display, proving that even rust can blossom! Who knew a decrepit old scrapper could be so… (ahem) ‘blooming beautiful?’ LOL. So, I walked (yes – WALKED) out towards the Ballygroobey Roundabout, armed with with the Leica C-Lux camera to get a quick snap, because even old Skodas deserve a moment in the spotlight!
Can you ever tire of photographing a river? I now have a whole folder of images from the Lower Bann, that majestic river that flows from Lough Neagh out into the Atlantic Ocean at Coleraine.
Many of them are made from the western side of the river, accessed by The Fisherman’s Walk, and on those occasions I have looked across the Bann to a small jetty, about half a mile or so upriver, on the other bank.
I’ve shot a couple of birds in the Ballymena area recently.
I spotted this goose on Sat 8th February 2025 when I was helping with the photos at the Parkrun held weekly at Ecos Park. Try clicking this link to see the Parkrun photos:
On a smaller scale,
This wily old bird sits on the barrier at Tannaghmore Service area, on the A26 road between Antrim and Ballymena, and stares at motorists eating in their cars, knowing that eventually someone will cave in and give it a morsel or two.
(Ok, I’m not an ornithologist, so I’ve been informed it’s a Rook, or whatever!)
But I do know it was photographed with the Fujifilm X-T5, F=300mm, f/5 @ 1/500th sec on ISO400/
The Tannaghmore Crow
This wily old bird sits on the barrier at Tannaghmore Service area, on the A26 road between Antrim and Ballymena, and stares at motorists eating in their cars, knowing that eventually someone will cave in and give it a morsel or two.
(Ok, I’m not an ornithologist, so I don’t know if it’s a crow, or a Jackdaw, or a Rook, or whatever!)
But I do know it was photographed with the Fujifilm X-T5, F=300mm, f/5 @ 1/500th sec on ISO400
Iv’e run my first roll of Kodak T-Max 100 film through my Nikon F100 camera, on a recent two night break on the North Coast of Northern Ireland – the world renowned ‘Causeway Coast.’ The scenery in this area is spectacular, but on a rainy November weekend, with a strong wind blowing in from the sea, cheesy tourism like images are scarce! But I managed a few black and white…
No sweat! An athlete finds the going relatively easy, as she smiles her way to the finish line.
Portraits2Go.co.uk 