Diverting past-times

SCARIFF photographer Sean McInerney’s second exhibition opened at the foyer of the County Museum in Ennis on Saturday.

He says what was a minor diversion for him has become a huge interest over the last few years.

“It started as a hobby basically, I’m probably at it for four or five years by now, but only seriously for the last three years. It started as a hobby, concentrating on the locality, Lough Derg, wildlife, landscape, nature photography, strictly speaking, but I’ve dabbled in abstract a bit as well. I’m a technician with Clare County Council and I was on duty as a photographer for some fairly big civic events like President McAleese’s visit , some civic receptions for people like Sharon Shannon, the Kilfenora Céilí Band, Marcus Horan and Anthony Foley.”

A well-known hurler, he must have had one of the longest careers in Clare. When it ended, he had a bit more time for other interests.

“I was playing hurling up until last year, but I was 52 in May so it was nearly time to be hanging up the boots! It [photography] stepped into the breach when the sport ended.”
He says he’d like to do more sports photography but doesn’t have the equipment that’s needed yet. The photos in Nothing to See Here were taken over a period of three or four years and he’s looking forward to seeing what people think of the work, having received a good reception to his first exhibition.

“It was well received, I got some good feedback and there were some very nice comments about the work.”