I've been a Sugababes fan since I first heard Overload way back in 2000. It was, and still is, a pop classic. Over the years, I managed to catch them live a couple of times. The first time I caught Sugababes live was way back at Creamfields 2002. Unfortunately Siobhan had left the band by then and been replaced by Heidi, so I never got to see the original lineup. Did it matter much at the time to me? No, not at all, I was just their to party! As a side note, post Sugababes, Siobhan went on to release two solo albums, Revolution in Me in 2003 and Ghosts in 2007. The next time I saw them was at Oxegen 2008, and by then Mutya had left the band and was replaced by Amelle, leaving Keisha as the only remaining original member. It was a tad strange seeing the band with only one remaining member, but again, it was a festival and all we were looking for was a good time, which we definitely got! Another side note, just like Siobhan, Mutya went on to release her own solo work, a gr
April 2021 and, due to Covid Restrictions, there are still no gigs in Ireland. Other music photographers I know, both amateur and pro, have found other projects to sate their interest, but I was struggling.
What's the best thing to do when struggling? Simple, spend money on gadgets! I bought myself a Mavic Mini Drone. Now all I had to do was learn to fly it and figure out what to do with it.
That took a bit longer than I expected. The weather in February and March wasn't great, lots of rain unfortunately, and that's not good for flying drones. However, I did start to formulate a plan.
Out by Punchestown Racecourse, there are two Standing Stones. I figured I'd use the drone to get some images of them. Then I began to wonder if there were any more around Kildare. It turns out that there are plenty!!
So, each Saturday morning, weather permitting, I go out with my drone and camera to photograph them.
First up is the Standing Stone opposite the main gate at Punchestown.
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| Longstone at Craddockstown - Punchestown, County Kildare |
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| Punchestown Longstone - Punchestown, County Kildare |
A friend told me about a Stone Circle out near Ballymore Eustace. So after a small bit of internet research, I had its location and I was off to the Broadleas Stone Circle!
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| Broadleas Stone Circle - Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare |
One of the guys I work with told me of a Standing Stone near Kilcullen. That's only out the road from me, so after another quick Google search, I was off to find the Kilgowan Standing Stone.
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| Kilgowan Standing Stone - Kilcullen, County Kildare |
Whilst I was taking photos of the Broadleas Stone Circle, a local told me of another near Hollywood in Co. Wicklow. So, when I could manage to get out there, I did and it did not disappoint!
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| Athgreany Stone Circle - Hollywood, County Wicklow |
Late one night with time on my hand, I searched online for more interesting Stones in my locality and came across Adam and Eve, otherwise known as Boherboy Standing Stones in Saggart. Now, Saggart is close to Casement Aerodrome, so you can't fly a drone there. That didn't matter, the stones are easily accessible, so I just brought my camera instead.
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| Boherboy Standing Stones - Saggart, Co. Dublin |
And that's it so far. As restrictions lift and we can travel further afield, I'll continue to shoot these images. It's hard to believe that all these neolithic and bronze age sites are all only a few short miles from my home and the only two I ever heard about in school were the Punchestown stones.
So yeah, that's my new project. The one that will hopefully keep me sane whilst the country remains in lockdown! Stay tuned for more.
So yeah, that's my new project. The one that will hopefully keep me sane whilst the country remains in lockdown! Stay tuned for more.