I have been interested in photography from an early age and I got my first camera when I was in my late teens. It was not until I joined Dundalk Photographic Society that I developed a true appreciation for the wonderful art of photography. Photography quickly became more of an obsession than a hobby. To this day my enthusiasm has not waned.
I joined the Society in 1994 and was elected Chairman in 1998. As Chairman I strived to raise the profile and standing of our society both in our own community and in the world of photography. After completing a three year term as Chairman I became Competition Secretary for nine years and also acted as a club selector for much of that time.
In 2009 I was re-elected Chairman and in this year I was happy to oversee the production of our acclaimed 30th Anniversary year book “The Art of Photography”. In 2010 I was honoured to be Chairman when our club became the first Irish club to win the FIAP Clubs World Cup.
I have contributed to Irish photography by lecturing on a regular basis throughout Ireland and the UK. I have also adjudicated at local, national and international level. I served on the National council for three years and also adjudicated on our national distinction board at Licentiateship, Associateship and Fellowship levels.
I continue to be inspired by my fellow FIAP photographers through the works produced in FIAP salons and catalogues. I also hope that my images may also inspire others to achieve their goals in the art of photography.
Some Achievements
- Over 40 awards in National competitions including 10 IPF Gold medals.
- Twice winner of best image in Tallagh International Salon.
- Over 400 international Acceptances
- Over 40 awards in International Salons including 5 FIAP GOLD Medals, 2 SILVER and 1 BRONZE also 8 FIAP Ribbons.
- 2005 ; Awarded AFIAP Distinction.
- 2006 ; Awarded ARPS Distinction for Visual Art , Black and white Portrait panel.
- 2008; Awarded EFIAP distinction.
- Gained Fellowship in the Irish Photographic Federation for Colour travel Panel on Vietnam.
- 2009; Awarded EFIAP/bronze distinction.
- 2010; Gained Fellowship distinction in the Royal Photographic Society for Visual Arts panel on Old Irish Interiors.
- 2011; Awarded MFIAP Distinction.
STATEMENT OF INTENT
Ten years ago I proudly showed my first old interior image to my aged mother and I was shocked by her reaction: she was horrified. “How could anyone find these images of hard times so appealing?” It was this reaction that made me appreciate the true nature of what I was recording and drew me even closer to the subject.
One of ten children, my mother left such a cottage at the age of only 14 years to work in the city. One by one her siblings also left, until like so many other family’s, only the parents remained. Eventually the parents passed on, the door was closed and the chapter ended.
As I dedicate this panel to my mother and her generation, I invite you the viewer to see past the texture, the composition and the peeling paint and view them as monuments to the lives lived therein.
