From the Archives
Boots on the Ground
Sneem, Co. Kerry, on St Patrick’s Day; the parade and market. Certainly, a feel-good day when the sun shines. Thoughts turn to spring and an opportunity to catch up with friends not seen through the dark months of winter. A few pints of Guinness, and perhaps a new pair of boots?
The Sneem parade is one of the biggest in the County. It is always well attended and extremely colourful. Farmers are the target punters here, they rarely if ever ‘go to town’, relying instead on door-to-door traders pulling up at the farm gate or on rural markets. Along with the colour, humour and mickey-taking of the parade, it’s also time to buy some much-needed provisions, a roll of gaffer tape, a mastic gun, a couple of new tarpaulins? The stall holders have been here since early doors; ready to provide rural living folks with hardware, clothing and as seen here, boots!
Standing at a rural market can be a thankless task, especially when you don’t have a table.
“Get your boots here, any colour you like, as long as it's black!”
Boston Panhandler?
Outside a rather upmarket retailer in Boston, MA this smart yet casually dressed individual cross-legged on the floor, shouting at passing traffic and pedestrians. Noisy certainly, a protestor or panhandler I do not know. But he and I struck lucky when the gentleman here stopped to speak to him. Snapped from the rear window of a taxi, the framing could have been better and the traffic lights on stop a little longer.
Candle and Prayer
As a lapsed Catholic since the age of 14, I am not a churchgoer, yet I am a church visitor whenever the opportunity presents itself.
From our magnificent cathedrals to the smallest village church, I always find something of interest. Their history is palpable and just like a moth to a flame, I am drawn to the icons and prayer candles, the primeval urge to stare into the fire. Although feeling a little guilty and a little out of place, I usually take a snap or two when the coast is clear. However, I was caught out on this occasion, as the lady appeared from nowhere as I was composing a picture of Mary and the candles. I recomposed and took the snap, including her. On showing her the picture, she smiled and told me the candle was for her grandson who was having a ‘test’ today. She did not tell me what for and I did not ask. I wish them both good luck.
Charlie Chaplin
Street artist Diego Spano strikes a classic Charlie Chaplin pose. His make-up deems it unnecessary to do a black and white conversion.
The period Ford Model T is the perfect background.
Franciscan Friars; Skellig Michael
In the spring of 2015, I had the good fortune to attend and photograph a mass held on Skellig Michael within the remains of the monastery there. The mass was conducted by six Franciscan Friars hailing from America and France, who live in, work with and support the community of Moyross, Co. Limerick.
They had travelled to the Skelligs on a mission to go back to the roots of their faith; to explore its history and to anchor themselves in this historical landscape. The whole experience was humbling and quite emotional. I hope that I have captured some of the spirit and solemnity of the service in this photograph. The five Americans and one Frenchman were a great company, along with skipper Dan McCrohan, on a rather choppy Skellig crossing. Far from the dour image that we may have of the religious orders, these gentlemen were humorous and great fun to be around. I felt extremely honoured to have been invited into their company and to be able to observe their worship.
There has been a lot of excitement in Kerry since the release of the Star Wars films, as Skellig Michael was one of the locations used in the film’s making. However, the Friars are a timely reminder of the spiritual foundations of this spectacular site.
Gun Laws
A little Google research informed me this was one of ‘the grandmas against gun violence’ in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The image is degraded from a handheld, heavy-cropped snap taken from the passenger-side car window. I managed to find the lady on Facebook and sent the pic on to them.
The grandmas were out in force when we drove by. We were heading for Boston and our flight home.
I wish them good luck in their cause.
Festival Fella
It can be tough mustering the courage to ask someone if you can ‘take their picture’. However, as with most things, it gets easier. The alternative is the candid snap when you think your subject will not notice. The excuse for this approach is the adage that you don’t kill the mood or the moment. There is a lot to be said for this approach, especially in street photography; where it helps that you are usually on the move. In the situation seen here, I am in a crowded pub during a music festival. I reasoned he had gone to a not insignificant amount of trouble over his appearance and would not mind if I took his picture. His expression says it all. Short in stature yet big in presence with the other drinkers towering over him, I snapped him with my phone. His is one of my favourite portraits.
Mario
Arundel, ME
Another occasion when the car is parked, I walk back along the road to the ‘interesting’ we have just passed… Wendy is willingly left, hot drink and Kindle in hand, sitting in the shade at a roadside coffee shop. At the same time, I explore the rusty relics of some of Detroit's finest motors. It turns out that Champion Motors was no longer a commercial business.
‘Can I help you, sir?’ was the call as I snapped away with both phone & Canon. Oops. Very little was required in the way of an apology when Mario (as I was to learn) realised my genuine interest in his collection of classic cars. A guided tour followed, including motoring memorabilia floor-to-ceiling and a hubcap Christmas tree! Beautiful cars. Thank you, Mario.
The places and people we meet on our travels, most likely to never meet again.
Mary’s Antiques
Another one from the book here.
Driving south through Killorglin, Co Kerry, you will find yourself navigating the extremely tight, slow, one-way system, and likely as not looking through the window of ‘Mary’s Antiques’, with her assortment of thought-provoking items along the pavement outside. An assortment of interesting items to view as you sit and wonder what is happening ahead (nothing). I know I have enough times… I still have a couple of religious icons and the odd garden tool head (new wooden handles from Boyle’s down the road and Bob’s your dad’s brother!) I love a bargain or something ‘real’.
Look out for ‘The Crystal Cave’ bookshop a little further along on the left… my book is sometimes in the window!
Paddy China
1925 – 2002
Our late neighbour Paddy Lynch, known locally on Valentia as ‘Paddy China’, never married and seemed content with his lot in life. He was well-informed and could give a valid opinion on most subjects… along with a string of expletives! An enigmatic character as well as a highly skilled wooden boat builder, using only hand tools in his trade and having nothing to do with power tools, as he mistrusted electricity. He showed me how to steam bend an oak boat rib, including the haste required to fit it in place before it cooled. He also explained to me how larch was used for planking and rough-shaped with an axe and the many uses for a block of elm. Paddy is here ‘corking’ a carvel punt, which involves tapping hessian mixed with lead putty in between the planks to make a watertight finish.
When working in the local harbours of Knightstown and Portmagee, tourists would often try to photograph Paddy, and why wouldn’t they, witnessing an artisan at work? However, Paddy hated this and had no problem telling people what to do with their camera and exactly where to put it; hurling curses in both Irish and English so there would be no misunderstanding. So how did I manage to take the picture? I was working close by and noticed he would occasionally stop for a little daydream and a breather. Using a telephoto lens (135mm; the only one I had) I waited for the moment. Here it is.
It is often said about men like Paddy that ‘we will not see their like again’; perhaps an overused phrase but it could not be truer than of him. Up at first light and straight to work, 'early doors' in the pub and bed by eight. That was Paddy’s day.
San Francisco Dude
Watching the world go by is an enjoyable experience, especially when armed with a cup of tea, a sticky bun, and sitting in an easy chair at a pavement café.
People-watching is especially rewarding in San Francisco as some folks here love to draw attention to themselves. Strutting characters and eccentrics abound, promenading like colourful emperors.
Just make yourself comfortable and wait; it’s not unlike waiting in a wildlife hide. This guy helped me out by looking straight down the lens!
Royal Shrovetide Football
Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
Of the many Shrove Tuesday traditions in the UK, probably the biggest, certainly the most spectacular (other Shrove Tuesday customs are available).
Depending on which side of Henmore Brook, which runs through the town, you are from, you are either an Up’Ard or a Down’Ard. When it comes to playing the game, the rules are even simpler, apart from no murders, there are no rules!
As can be imagined, the publicans do a roaring trade, pop-up beer tents and bars abound. Less so for retailers behind their boarded-up shop fronts. Many simply close for the two days.
The scene shown here is typical, known as ‘the hug’. Players wait for the ball to pop out or be hurled in their direction, then head off with it through the streets or over the fields to one of the three-mile-apart goals. At that point, politics may come into play and a local worthy player will be allowed to score it.
Not a game for the faint-hearted. Stamina is another requirement, especially when you consider how they do it again the next day (Ash Wednesday).
I have been attending Shrovetide for all of my adult life. Many years ago, along with friends, we met the BBC’s ‘Blue Peter’ team, including John Noakes and Peter Purves, my childhood heroes. And yes, we were all given Blue Peter badges. These days, TV crews come from as far away as Japan to film the spectacle. All looking for a little eccentric, crazy Englishness, they do not go home disappointed.
Sighisoara Sisters
Our daughters Sophia & Kate smile for the camera (again) as we look out over Sighisoara from the medieval clock tower. An early dusting of snow covers the rooftops, with more snow threatening, on a late autumn morning high in the Carpathian Mountains, Transylvania. We probably should not have been surprised (we were) to wake up to a magical snowy scene that morning, on our road trip through Romania.
Terry on the Great Blasket
Most of us will have seen the ad occasionally, looking for adventurous individuals/couples to ‘look after an island’ ‘idyllic location’, just you and the stars; seagulls and seals the only neighbours. It would often be a wildlife reserve or maybe an archaeological dig site, where someone needs to be in attendance to keep an eye on the situation. Most Robinson Crusoe types would find the notion appealing.
Terry, seen here, certainly did. Together with partner Geraldine, they answered the call to manage The Great Blasket Island - a short hop over the sound from Dunquin on the Dingle Peninsula off the coast of Co Kerry, Ireland. Through the summer and weather permitting, boatloads of curious visitors arrive daily, all primed with the same questions as yesterday’s influx. And of course, seeking a little bit of an adventure.
Sitting on a ship’s bell, (the origins of which are unknown…), Terry strikes a pose while Geraldine provides cups of tea and cake for today’s guests. The menu is tiny as is the one-time cabin café. Everything must come over by boat and be hauled up via a serious climb, therefore only the basics are on offer.
The café and the remaining houses have been restored and painted white. Seen from the mainland and set against the green landscape, they present a powerful draw.
The Blasket Islands were finally abandoned in the 1950s when the last of the remarkable islanders moved to the mainland.
The story of ‘The Blaskets’ is a fascinating one. I thoroughly recommend further reading.
Tom
During the summer months Tom is often out and about in South Kerry, accompanied by a variety of animals. Tourists certainly enjoy getting close and meeting them, be it a couple of puppies, kittens, lambs, or even a kid goat. On this occasion, Tom has a young fox cub. Ears pointing in different directions, he is certainly alert! Cute too. I was told it was returned to the wild not long after this picture was taken. I certainly hope that’s the case.