Kevin Morris

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My late mother was always on at me to document things, either in picture or by pen, especially when I would be telling her of the pearls of wisdom spoken by the kids. So, for our (by now regular) summer break in Dungarvan I had great plans. Not only was I going to get up at sunrise, take hundreds of landscape photos, get to the gym before the kids surface etc…, but I was also going to document our trip through a mixture of photos & diary entries – more Pete McCarthy than Bill Bryson – and I was quite looking forward to it.

However, the best laid plans & all that !! Within one day of arrival I had the most horrible of head colds, and, discovered that its not a good idea to swim underwater while blocked – cue severe sinus, fluid in the ear to add to the joys of my cold. Within three days I was attacked by some breed of horse fly while in Colligan Woods. This guy would not go away despite swatting, he was a persistent little bugger who kept coming back for more of my blood – think John Mullane with a poisonous stinger instead of a hurley – leaving me with septicaemia. The very next day I ended up heartbroken, my favourite lens, the one I use for 90% of my photography somehow managed to break while in a padded camera bag, so, that signalled the end of my photos and a bill of EU1,700 for a replacement (hurt way more than my bites !!). To top it all off, by day five my eldest had to be brought to the medical centre with a chest infection, and on day 6 my better half mislaid our one and only set of keys in the middle of Dungarvan !!

Despite all that there were still some great moments. Discovering Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe in the centre of town (yum!!), the sheer joy on my youngest daughters face when we won the family quiz in the local hotel, Butlers ice cream (not the chain – just a shop) still tastes as good as ever, the town is still a great place for food, drink & a bit of craic (its not called Fungarvan for nothing) , Dungarvan has some stunning scenery, as well as fabulous coastline on its doorstep, the kids were thrilled with Fota Wildlife Park, especially when the lemurs came over and opened my wifes handbag , when it comes to Cluedo, Peacock is a murdering b@stard and finally, and probably most importantly, you can’t beat spending time with friends over a bit of food & drink.

All in all an eventful week, it certainly won’t be forgotten in a hurry, so, there was probably no need to document anything anyway !! Have just a few pics below, and, its well worth clicking on the panoramas for a larger view.

Mr Simms Sweet Shop - Not approved by dentists
Shot from Colligan Woods
Dungarvan & Helvick - View from just up the road
Pano from Mahon Falls

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Durrow in County Laois had two major events going on yesterday 28th June. Not only was the National Scarecrow Competition in full swing, but there was great excitement in the Shorthall household as Noreen was getting hitched. Following a lovely ceremony in the RiverCourt Hotel in Kilkenny it was a short hop over the river to Kilkenny Castle for a few shots where Noreen proved very popular with a group of Spanish tourists, some of whom asked for photos with her !. The weather behaved itself (despite downpours in the morning), and, when I was leaving, Noreen & Stoney (Anthony) were gearing up for what looked like was going to be a late night ! Out of my last five weddings, I have had one couple from Singapore, one from Australia & Noreen & Stoney will be heading home to Hong Kong shortly. If only I was asked to hand deliver the photos !!!

I have a few draft photos below, and, if you know the couple, why not leave them a message as they will be checking in from time to time.

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Saturday 16th saw me heading off to the lovely village of Skerries. I was really looking forward to it as I had spent many a long summer as a teenager  hanging out on the beaches, selling freshly caught mackerel for pocket money at the harbour (and wasting it all in Bobs Casino!), and the real bonus was that its was just a 25 mins drive from home ! Both Deborah & Joe were a very laid back couple, and had brought wellies & brollies in case of rain which we luckily didn’t have to use. We had enough dry spells to get a few shots on the south beach, and, while at Roganstown Country Club we had just taken the last of the family shots when the rain came down. I have uploaded a few shots below, and, if you know Deborah & Joe, feel free to leave a comment as they will be checking in from time to time while on honeymoon. Just click on any image for a slightly larger version.

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The results were issued yesterday from the second round of the IPPA Photographer of the year.  I had promised myself this year to make a special effort when submitting entries, choose the images carefully etc. but unfortunately “real life” caught up with me this month so I had to put in a slightly rushed job of 10 entries. Due to this, I didn’t have high expectations, so I was very happy when awarded 5 Gold, 4 Silver and 1 Bronze award on the night. I was particularly happy to achieve 4 Gold in Wedding Reportage which is my passion. Wedding Reportage can be described as many things – candid, documentary etc. and is essentially the art of storytelling through photography, and lets face it, we all love a good story !!

Images uploaded below & thanks for reading.

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Apparently, according to scientific fact, the 17th of June is the happiest day of the year. Well yesterday it was the case for Sharon & John and every duck in Ireland !! Driving down to Arklow yesterday in the downpour I fully expected Noah to sail past. The ceremony was in the stunning church at Clara Vale, I would have loved to get a couple of shots of the location but I hadn’t brought my wetsuit. After the lovely ceremony we decided to head to Avondale House in an attempt for a few photos and managed to blag our way out of the rain & into the house. The staff were great (probably took pity on us) and brought us into the drawing room where we dried off and got a few shots. When we arrived at the Woodenbridge Hotel,  it was still pouring rain, but we were greeted by a large open fire in the bar, and yes, this was the middle of June !! The staff in the hotel were great, we had to get a few family shots done but of course couldn’t go outside, so they cleared out half the restaurant to give us a bit of space.  I have uploaded a few draft pics from the day below, and, if you know the couple feel free to leave a message for them.

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It was back back to the highways & byways on Friday 10th. from Narraghmore to the beautiful Crookstown Church and then on to the Johnstown House Hotel & Spa for the reception. As Lynnette & Eamonn live in Australia they had to arrange everything from afar, and it took some organising to ensure that everything was right on the day, and it was, even the weather, which had been forecast as heavy rain, behaved itself. The fabulous crockery, which had been ordered in seperately, added a classic touch, along with the individual table settings / favours and the childrens table was packed with enough sweets & activity packs to keep an army of them happy.  Have uploaded just a few of the many pics taken to hopefully give you an idea of the day. Hope you enjoy them, just click on any of them for a (slightly) larger version and, if you are a friend of the happy couple, feel free to leave a messge for them as they will be checking in regularly.