Drone footage of Cork city gives bird’s eye view

Raymond Fogarty's new hobby has wowed people across the world with his bird's eye view of Cork city using his drone.

The Cork resident credits being able to buy his new equipment six-weeks ago from money he saved by giving up smoking more than a year ago.

The 31-year-old, who is studying computer science, said he never expected the reaction that he received after he uploaded the footage online on April 14th.

The 16 minute 51 second footage, which showcases the city and its landmarks including St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, has received almost 22,000 hits and counting.

“I haven’t done things like this before. I was taken a back at first and fairly surprised by the reaction. By nature I’m a bit more shy and reserved,” he said.

“I didn’t upload it to You Tube with the intention of getting attention. I just wanted people to have a new perspective of the city.

“I really hope people enjoy it. We’ve a beautiful city,” he said.

Mr Fogarty, from Fairhill, said he had been saving up to buy a telescope but then decided to use the money to buy the drone for €1,700.

“I’ve been off the cigarettes for over a year and I used the money I saved from that to buy it,” he said.

He said was inspired to buy the drone from watching aerial shots on television shows such as Vikings and videos on You Tube.

Mr Fogarty said looking at posts by people such as Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, former commander of the International Space Station, inspired him to look at his surroundings with a new perspective.

“The flying thing is a new hobby for me,” he said.

“It took a bit of getting used to at first, but after awhile it became second nature.

“The first time I flew it after it landed it I was full of excitement to see what the place was like to see with a bird’s eye view.”

Mr Fogarty said his next venture with his drone will be to travel with it along the Wild Atlantic Way from the head of Kinsale to the Inishowen Peninsula, Donegal in May.

“My primary motivation is to get good shots and I wanted to show people how beautiful the country really is from another view,” he said.