Stunning aerial pictures of Cork in new book

“DENNIS Horgan has nailed it with this amazing book, which not only shows where we are from, but who we are.”

Those are the words of Donncha O’Callaghan, broadcaster and former Munster Ireland and British & Irish Lions rugby player, speaking about This Is Cork: An Aerial Journey, by Dennis Horgan.

Magic happens when a photographer loves and captures the subject matter so brilliantly that it evokes deeper emotions.

And the magic all started when Dennis, a native of Cork who lives in beautiful Glandore, got his first camera at age 16.

“My aunt gave me a camera as a present,” says Dennis, who specialises in aerial photography and has published seven books

“I used to go away for weekends to take photographs of scenes and scenery that I explored. I loved it,” says the photographer and former auctioneer who always had a ion for flying and photography - and often combines the two.

“The camera was so handy to take photographs of properties,” adds Dennis, whose former job involved selling commercial and residential property, as well as livestock.

Then the crash came. It took the air out of everybody’s lungs. And I thought, ‘what do I do now?’

What he did was to forge an idyllic lifestyle combining his twin ions, flying and photography.

Dennis works on photographic assignments for a wide range of Irish companies. His work can be found hanging in homes and commercial premises all over Ireland.

He has always been into photography and long had a ion for aeroplanes. He has two other ions, James and Yasmin, his grandchildren to whom the book is dedicated.

“I would cycle seven miles to the airport in Cork when it opened in the 1960s and watch planes taking off and landing. I was just fascinated,” he says.

When was his first introduction to flying?

“I the first time I was on a plane,” says Dennis.

“My brother, Pat, won a holiday to Sardinia and he brought me along. He was 24 and I was 17. He must have been between girlfriends at the time!”

Things got a bit hairy.

It wasn’t the best introduction to flying because we ran into the edge of a thunderstorm on the way back and there was a huge amount of turbulence and a lot of praying.

“I the plane was bouncing around the place, and there were duty free bottles flying up and down the aisle. Even so, I loved it!”

Has he piloted a plane?

“I am not really interested in flying a plane,” says Dennis. “But I have had lessons from the Atlantic Flight Academy 14 years ago.”

When he goes flying in pursuit of his fabulous aerial shots, giving us a view of the best of Cork, he is in the company of a licensed pilot flying out of Cork airport, Weston in Dublin, or Farranfore in Kerry.

Dennis got lessons in photography from the best, a ‘snapper’ who works for The Echo.

I when the digital age came in and cameras got quite complicated, Eddie O’Hare was very kind, and he gave me pointers.

Photography, one of Dennis’s ions, became his occupation.

“I get great satisfaction from it,” says Dennis. “I love the flying.”

He always has a bird’s eye view from the air.

“I must have seen every single bit of the country,” he says.

Dennis makes the magic happen from the air, which is illustrated beautifully in This is Cork - An Aerial Journey.

His work is fascinating.

Dennis describes a typical day when he sets out to capture the iconic and magnificent images of Cork.

“I am in a Cessna 172 lined up on runway 34 at Cork Airport waiting for take-off clearance for yet another photo flight. The voice of the air traffic controller comes through my headset. The pilot turns to me and asks if I’m all set. I give him the thumbs up.

“He opens the throttle and in what seems like a few seconds, we are at take-off speed. The pilot pulls back on the control column, and we are climbing into the skies.”

The peace and the view amid the clouds is spectacular.

I look down as the ground quickly recedes and Cork city and county begin to open up before me like a huge panoramic canvas.

“From two thousand feet, the view is magnificent. Cars turn into Dinky Toys, fields become patchwork quilts, and buildings appear as scale models, I am once again back in the skies doing something I enjoy immensely.”

His work is intricate.

“I usually shoot through an open door or window which gives me a good field of vision,” said Dennis.

“Mostly, I shoot from single engine high-wing aircraft, but for some jobs I use a helicopter.

“No matter what type of aircraft I use, flying will usually involve a lot of right turns and banks to enable me to get the best angle and perspectives. Heights vary from 1,000 to 6,000 feet.

“Photographing from a moving aircraft in a cramped environment is radically different from the norm and throws up challenges that one would not face at ground level,” added Dennis.

Not surprisingly, there is a lot of buffeting, even in calm weather conditions and, as the aircraft is travelling at high speeds, I have to be quick on the shutter button.

“I shoot with a Canon EOS 5Ds and the superb image stabilisation system on my lens helps me to keep motion blur to a minimum.

“Weather dictates everything-low cloud, low light and haze are not ideal conditions.”

The photographs, though, are stunning.

The Baltimore Beacon, the Crawford Art gallery, Crookhaven Harbour, Gougane Barra, Goleen, and Dzogchen Beara, are but a few of the brilliant, glossy, crystal clear photographs captured by Dennis in This Is Cork in all their wondrous glory.

The will surely have pride of place on coffee tables and book-shelves in homes across Cork city and county. The amazing images are a team effort.

"I never cease to be amazed at the skill and professionalism of the pilots who always manoeuvre me into the right position to get the best angle and height for the shot I want,” said Dennis.

He goes through the correct procedure every time he takes to the skies with his Canon EOS 5Ds.

“When I arrive at the appointed time, the pilot will call Air Traffic Control for permission to start the engine. I secure my harness and I am off again on another adventure over my native county of further afield.”

Dennis’s ion for his job that he loves so much knows no bounds.

“I am my own boss,” he says. “It gives me massive flexibility, and the freedom to enjoy West Cork. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The last word about This is Cork An Aeriel Journey is courtesy of Ann Doherty, CEO of Cork City Council.

“This book showcases our beautiful city and county from a unique perspective, allowing us the experience a birds-eye view of the streetscapes and countryside that surround us, and is a visual record of the continuing revolution of our man-made heritage,” she said.

This Is Cork - An Aeriel Journey, by Dennis Horgan, foreword by Ronan O’Gara, words by Tim McCarthy, published by Mercier Press, Cork, €29.99.

Available in all good bookshops and from Dennis’ website: http://dennishorgan.ie