Exhibitions

The historic and commercial centre ofLimerick, the Georgian new town is extremely familiar. Unfortunately many of the buildings are underused and have been allowed to decay.

To ask the four artists to photograph what they see in Georgian Limerick was an invitation to reveal what has been hidden by familiarity and neglect; architectural coherence, moments of monumentality. Images can show what is normally unseen; the richness of the interior decoration, the life of the lanes. Taken from oblique perspectives the photographs have the potential to uncover an unfamiliar Georgian Limerick. With the power of photography to focus attention and even to transform the ordinary and taken-for-granted it is hoped that the exhibition will help to define the character and value of Georgian Limerick.

Photography has been intrinsic to the Irish Georgian Society project since its initiation. Shortly after he set up the Society in 1958 Desmond Guinness commissioned Hugh Doran to photograph Irish country houses for an exhibition. At a time when eighteenth-century architecture was despised and under threat Doran’s carefully composed images celebrated the beauty of these houses, established their place in Irish culture and provided a record of those buildings that were later lost. The interest and passion of present president of the Society, Desmond FitzGerald, was first stimulated by another pioneering photographer, Standish Stewart, who, from the 1940s, was photographing the houses ofLimerick and Clare and the buildings of the city, documenting and establishing value.

Kieran Clancy:

Professional Photographer with over 25 years experience, with a particular interest in architectural photography. He lives inLimerick.

Sean Lynch:

Born in Kerry in 1978, he lives in Limerick andBerlin. He is currently an artist-in-residence at theIrishMuseumof Modern Art. Exhibitions include the Gallery of Photography,Dublin, Limerick City Gallery of Art and Galway Arts Centre.

Eamonn O’Mahony:

Professional Photographer since 1988; maintains a studio inLondonand includes leading architectural firms among his clients. Lives and works inLondonandLimerick.

Deirdre Power:

Born inLimerickin 1963, she lives and works in Georgian Limerick. Exhibitions include The Phatory,New York, The Belltable Arts Centre Limerick and ev+a.