Cork Tourist Information

A Photographer's Guide to Church Bay, Crosshaven - Cork

Designed as a guide for landscape photographers who wish to photograph seascapes at Crosshaven, Cork, Ireland

Open Source Photographic Guide Project

Introduction

Sunrise looking towards Roches Point

Church Bay is a small beach that is located near the mouth of Cork Harbour, a quick drive South East of the popular yachting town of Crosshaven. Like many beaches in this area along Corks South East coast, it is a mixture of large to small pebbles and finer sand during low tides. Looking out from the beach your view is split between Roches Point and the eastern horizon.

Special Photographic Features or Notes

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The beach features interesting formations of rocks which can be used to create interesting compositions and they have a wide variety of textures and colours. The tidal movement has arranged the pebbles in size and during low tides finer sand and pebbles are visible.This beach is East facing so is the perfect spot for sunrises but the evening light just before sunset is also good if your unable to get up early.

Evening Light and View of Cliff Outcrop

It is possible to follow the cliff path and emerge on the outcropping rock (mark as red circle), This provides good views of the Bay, cliffs and fields behind it.

This beach is very different at high and low tide. Personally I prefer the low tides. During low tide the smaller rocks are visible and the beach is less cramped. During high tides the waves get a lot closer to the larger sections of rock making for interesting long-exposures. The southern(lower) end of the beach features much higher slabs of rock that project into the deeper water.

Sunrise and view of Roches Point Light House

Night Photography

This beach is unlit so a torch is recommended for night or early morning trips. The views out to Roches Point and the Horizon will have little light pollution apart from Roches Point Light House itself.

Special Equipment

Coastal seascape photographers would benefit from wide angle lenses
Nature photographers would benefit from telescopic lenses to catch sea birds, Roches Point Light House and distant coast line.
Graduated filters if you use them
Lens cloth due to prevalent coastal conditions
Tripod if required
Head torch if required
Suitable footwear for accessing the beach and cliff path

Best Time of The Day

The beach is East facing. This makes the location perfect for sunrises although good photographs could be achieved at any time of the day.

Tidal Information

Regardless of tide there are plenty of photo opportunities in this area. Tidal information for Cork is available here

Wind Information

Strong winds from the East will likely cause a high tide and a good deal of spray, but the Bay is reasonably well sheltered by its cliffs.

Getting there

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