Writes Tara Maher & Leo McMahon
Carrigaline man, Joe Healy, has published his new book ‘Cork in Decades Past’, an ode to the ever evolving landscapes of the Rebel County.
Selling like hot cakes since it entered the shops in late summer, the photographer’s eagerly awaited and acclaimed book will be officially launched by an cathaoirleach of Carrigaline Municipal District, Cllr Seamus McGrath at a reception in the PACE Centre, Passage West at 7.30pm on Friday, September 27th.
Born in the city, Joe Healy moved to Carrigaline in 1982.
Healy was a founding member of the Carrigaline Photographic Society, his first venture into professional photography began when he established a studio in Carrigaline in 1985. His interest in documentary photography initially developed during the years he served as editor of the Carrigaline Community Magazine.
During that time, he got to meet and interview many older residents of Carrigaline. According to Joe, they were all great characters, many of whom are sadly no longer with us.
Around then, he also was PRO of Carrigaline Festival which is still fondly remembered today by many locals. Joe's new book contains a number of photos from Carrigaline and surrounding areas taken around that time.
In the nineties, Healy served as an image controller in the editorial department of the Irish Examiner newspaper.
Following his retirement in 2011, he has continued to pursue his interests in photography and local history. Recently his photographic collection has been acquired by Cork Public Museum, some of which will be exhibited at the museum on Culture Night on September 20 next.
His new book is a collection of images and stories taken from the people of Cork.
Over the past four decades, Mr. Healy has been capturing the people and landscapes of Cork while also documenting its ongoing physical development, both city and county.
The 165 photos, accompanied by nostalgic but very informative texts by the author, capture an ever changing, living city plus some scenes from South Cork and beyond including churches, streets, quays, landscapes, buildings, businesses, sporting and other events (many of which are no more) and evoke mostly fond memories for the viewer.
He has been working on the book ‘Cork in Decades Past’ for the past two years and is delighted to see how well it has been received since it was published last week.
Delighted with the public response, Joe Healy told The Carrigdhoun “The first batch of books they stocked sold out within a few days, but they have since acquired more copies. It's also available in a number of other bookshops, including Bookstation at Douglas Shopping Centre.”
‘Cork in Decades Past’ by Joe Healy is a book that would make the perfect gift for any Corkonian.
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