Kinsale - Light and Time: The  Journey to Publication. 

The moment a book finally reaches publication is a mixed bag of emotions - relief, accomplishment, and a pinch of disbelief. 

I had just been handed the first sealed pack of five books in the reception of the distributor’s campus in west Dublin. Savouring the moment, I tentatively open the cover. The new book smell fills my nostrils, and I inhale it deeply. The anticipation is as vivid as the images captured in this four-decade photographic journey through Kinsale. 

The first page reveals the half-title, and I pause to take in the reproduced photograph. The meticulous hours spent ensuring that both the film-scanned and digital-originals would look their best were worth it - the result is a beautiful representation of the coastal town that has been my muse for so many years. 

I work through the pages and the artist in me shifts into gear. The memory of each revision, each choice made, is utterly vivid. My mind begins to scrutinise each detail, each element of the book’s layout. 

I shake my head, snapping out of my professional critique. What lies before me is more than just a book; it embodies my vision, passion, and connection to Kinsale. It is a beautiful book, just as I had envisaged and hoped for over many years. 

From the cool winter light that inspired the opening chapter, ‘Light and Time’, to the final image in ‘Within the Wild Atlantic’, each photograph is a frozen moment in time. I’ve poured my creative energy into capturing the ethereal beauty of Kinsale, its stunning coastline, vibrant harbour town, and the unique underwater world of the Old Head. More than that, the book is a testament to Kinsale’s vibrant people and community, its rich heritage, the stories revealed through the unifying language of photography. 

The book’s launch at University College Cork’s Aula Maxima last week was an unforgettable evening that filled me with gratitude. The love and support struck me as I looked at the crowd gathered beneath the hall’s vaulted ceiling. It was a poignant reminder that ‘Kinsale - Light and Time’ is more than a personal accomplishment; it is a shared journey through the light and time of Kinsale. 

I invite you to join me on this journey. Experience the timeless beauty of Kinsale, see it through my lens, and fall in love with this place I am fortunate enough to call home. With ‘Kinsale - Light and Time’, we can explore and connect with Kinsale, one image at a time. Signed copies and an exceptional slipcase edition are available here.