Nenagh photographer's latest collection shows that not everything is black and white

Little Ruby Walsh took pride of place at the launch of Nenagh photographer Pádraig Ó Flannabhra’s latest book in Nenagh Arts Centre.

For not only is Ruby on the front cover of Éire Dubh & Bán / Ireland Black & White, playing her harp, the talented young musician entertained the gathering along with her tutor Fiana Ní Chonaill.

The proceeds of the book, Pádraig’s ninth, will go to Crois Dhearg na hÉireann / Irish Red Cross.

Launching the collection, Tipperary arts officer Melanie Scott said: “Just to give a bit of context to the professional photographer that is Pádraig as many of us know Pádraig well over many years and he is simply Pádraig to us- family member, artist, locally based photographer. But we often don’t realise the talented people that work amongst us.”

She pointed out that Mr Ó Flannabhra holds the Irish record of 10 Kodak Gold Portrait Awards.

The book opens with a stunning image of The Dark Hedges from Game of Thrones, and, Ms Scott said, this felt like an invitation to come on a visual journey through these pages - it was beckoning to us to explore.

“This is a complete body of work and should be read as a narrative rather than as stand alone images,” she said.

Ms Scott said that the reader should look at how the images are placed, the order in which they are arranged, the subject matter of each section of the book, that nothing was left to chance.

“There is meaning in where everything is placed. There is a flow to this book,” she said.

Ms Scott pointed out that the book was full of cultural references and blended and pulled together many of Pádraig’s interests in the arts, in culture, in our native language and Irish culture, with music, poetry and the Irish language centrally placed within the book.

“This books takes us on a visual and cultural journey across Ireland from funerals to public houses and from commemorations to recitations. It is about people and place,” she said.

Aidan Lonergan, national director of community support with the Red Cross, said that like his organisation, Pádraig was also a “first responder” in many ways.

He highlighted the work of the local Red Cross branches, how they were on hand to welcome Ukrainian refugees and had responded to the recent fire at Wexford General Hospital, bringing patients to different locations.

Pádraig said that the Red Cross was close to his heart and until recently had always used the term Crois Deirg na hÉireann, but had dropped the Irish version.

“I wrote to them and they have put it back. They save lives, but the Irish language also needs saving,” he said.

Pádraig thanked all those who helped him put the collection together.

The book is available to buy through buythebook.ie or direct from Pádraig at his Photoart Studio in Pócán; ph:067-32766