Samuel Beckett Bridge, Dublin - Closed for Maintenance at Night
- Darren McLoughlin
- Category: Miscellaneous
The Samuel Beckett Bridge in Dublin is one of the country's most famous structures. First installed and opened for traffic in December 2009 the bridge has a 123 metre span running across the River Liffey and reaches 46 metres above the river below.
Usually open to traffic, it is seen here in its closed position (or is that open?) which allows for shipping traffic to pass upstream and also to alllow for maintenance.
There can hardly be a more scenic bridge when undergoing maintenance than the Samuel Beckett, stationed like an aircraft carrier on the colourful evening River Liffey with night lights of the city.
Panoramic Ireland Has Had a Refresh - Relaxing at the Giant's Causeway - At Long Last
- Darren McLoughlin
- Category: Miscellaneous
Phew! Finally the hard work in the background has been done and at long last Panoramic Ireland has had a site refresh.
The design might look the same as before but there are some noticable differences and everything should work that bit faster as well.
So it was beyond time to head to the Giant's Causeway to catch some of the summer evening sunlight from the north of Ireland at the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
And of course, don't forget to have a look around the site, or why not join me on a photography tour or workshop in Ireland - at the Giant's Causeway for example.
Belfast's Iconic Yellow Cranes - Samson and Goliath May Cease Operations as Titanic Shipyard Harland & Wolff Enters Administration
- Darren McLoughlin
- Category: Miscellaneous
For the second time in five years, the famous shipyard that built RMS Titanic, Harland & Wolff is to enter administration. That means for now, the famous yellow cranes that are visible from all over Belfast may cease operations although they still intend to trade.
At its peak the shipyard employed 35,000 and during the Second World War, Harland and Wolff built more ships than any other shipyard. Now with an existing order for three Royal Navy warships, it seems likely that a buyer will be found soon enough.
Its two famous cranes, Samson and Goliath, built by German industrial powerhouse Krupp, were installed in 1974 and 1969 respectively. Goliath is the older and smaller of the two, standing at 96 metres, with Samson measuring 10% higher at 106 metres, their yellow paint and iconic H&W lettering dominate the Belfast skyline. Both cranes have a span of 140 metres and they run on tracks, able to move further apart or closer together along the 556 metres of dry dock. Lifting a combined load of 1,700 tonnes and the length of the dry dock makes this shipyard one of the most accommodating in the world.
In the image above, Samson is seen on the left and Goliath on the right, indeed same for the image below where you can see the height differential in the two structures.
Interestingly, Krupp were the largest European company at the start of the 20th century.
Of course, Harland and Wolff is most famous for one ship, Titanic, which left Belfast Lough on the 2nd of April 1912 before beginning its maiden, and sadly its only, voyage from Southampton, Cherbourg and Cobh.
This part of Belfast, Titanic Quarter is home to a fine museum to the most famous ship of the 20th century - https://panoramicireland.com/blog-ireland-guide/belfasts-titanic-quarter-shining-example-of-regeneration
Who knows what the future holds for Belfast's Harland and Wolff, but even if the cranes are quiet for now they will remain an essential and unavoidable focal point in the industrial city's skyline.

There was Murder on the Dancefloor as English pop sensation Sophie Ellis-Bextor took to the main stage at Electric Picnic 2024 for her picnic debut in Stradbally.
And what a way to get the Electric Picnic party started, Ellis-Bextor rarely stood still during her energetic performance dressed in silver sequins and tassels.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor heads to North America for a tour in the USA and Canada in early September.
The Boss in Belfast, Bruce Springsteen Plays to 200,000 Fans Over Four Nights in Ireland
- Darren McLoughlin
- Category: Miscellaneous
Bruce Springsteen brought his 2024 World Tour with the E Street Band to Ireland, first off was Boucher Playing Fields in Belfast on 9th of May.
As a long time music photographer it was a pleasure to be able to photograph The Boss at the start of his visit to Ireland.
And in news just in Bruce Springsteen has had to postpone several concerts in his European tour with Marseille, Prague and Milan being axed as the 74-year old rock star has taken doctors' advice to protect his vocal talents.
I've been busy out on the road since, but expect more images soon.