And now the less fun work really begins

I have only 4 more photos to take.
4—four—4 . Its nearly all over
Then the work really begins.
I have been going demented lately trying to find a space to exhibit the work in and trying to secure enough money so I can afford to get the book published. I need €16 000. I have a large chunk already but I need more

Watch this space for some updates.

Im tired though. I feel as though I have been banging my head against a wall for the last 3 weeks trying to find an exhibition space.

Im willing to pay for it but there arent many 1400 sq ft exhibition spaces around in the centre of Galway anyway. If anyone has any informatino please pass it this way. Yes Ive tried all the obvious ones.

I have my graphic designer working hard on the design of the book and to be honest when you see it you will be blown away.
I didnt want to just have photos on a page,
I wanted photos on a beautiful page and that is what we have.

Just a couple of subtle tweaks can make all the difference.

We’re working on the cover at the moment so heres a sneak peek:

ken Bruen

Galway is one one of the safest cities Ive ever lived in . Violent crime is such a rarity it attracts massive attention. In Ken Bruens world it happens on a regular basis.His Jack Taylor series has received massive acclaim and he is probably Irelands finest and well known crime writer.His life has been just as fantastic as his novels leading him all over the world.He still calls Galway Home

Jonathan Margetts

The Claddagh Ring is the symbol of irish love all over the world. However you wear it is a sign of how “attached” you are.

It has its origins in Galway , back in the late 17th century and Thomas Dillons has produced them since 1750. It is the oldest jewellers in Ireland

Jonathan’s family took over the business in the ’50s and in ’92 relocated it to its current home on Quay Street.

Go in there any day and you’ll see him, in his corner, tinkering and adjusting any of the rings or other items of jewellery according to customers requests and educating them a bit about its history

Andrew Meehan

Its only when you walk into the Irish Film Board offices on Dock Road that you realise how many movies this island has produced. This year “The Guard ” is the, well deserved, attention grabber but there are many more in production and in development as we speak.
They all start the same way- Words On A Page

Andrew Meehan is the Head of Development, the department that helps to get those words on a page to the final product.

He is best described as two parts coach to one each of psychoanalyst and midwife.

The role of the film development executive is best described like this: you’re there at the start of it all.

Blue Teapots

Galway is full of theatre groups. Its part of being a cultural town.
The Blue Teapots are one of the many
The only difference is that it is a theatre group for people with learning disabilities.
They work just as hard as any other groups and acheive as much ( if not more)
Last year they toured with a performance of a ” Midsummer Night’s Dream ” and are currently working on a film with Len Collin, a former screenwriter for Eastenders amongst others.

Pictured above are Valerie, Patrick, Emer, Paul, Frank, Charlene and Michael. Unfortunately Ciaran wasn’t there

Garry Hynes

Garry, along with Marie Mullen and the late Mick Lally set up Druid in 1975 when the now vibrant Quay Street was an abandoned part of town.

It was the first theatre company to exist outside Dublin.

Since then Garry has been artistic director for almost the entire existence of the company and has toured all over the world to remarkable success.

In 1998 she received a Tony Award making her the first female director to receive the honour.

As a side note this window was unveiled today ( August 31st)  in memory of Mick Lally on the first anniversary of his death

Aoibheann McNamara

Everyone is “Darling Sweetie, Honey ” to Aoibheann

Originally from Donegal she has been a  part of the Galway landscape for a good few years now.

As well as being a successful business woman she is also heavily involved supporting the more experimental art scene in Galway.

Ard Bia has always drawn the more left of centre to it, both in its original incarnation on Cross St, the gallery that was on the Westside, and now in its more permanent location in Nimmos Pier.

Its hard to get her to sit down but raspberry cupcakes will help…

Kate O’Toole

Kate is the chairman of the highly respected Galway Film Fleadh as well as being a respected award winning actress.

There is an energy and joie de vivre that radiates off her. Just a sense of fun and mischief.

She lives beside the sea in Connemara and swims every morning

Toulouse is named after the painter because he has short legs and is “impossibly randy”

John Behan

John Behan was born in Sheriff Street in Dublin and is one of Irelands leading sculptors. he moved to Galway 30 years ago to “slow things down a bit”.

An apprenticeship in metal work led him to his chosen career

He has always tried to challenge the elitism of the arts establishment and theres a rawness and directness to his work that appeals to everyone.

He sculpts every day and doesnt take holidays.

When you’re passionate about what you do, you cant call it work

Kennys

Kennys Bookstore and Gallery was an institution in Galway city.

Set up by Maureen and Des Kenny in 1940 it has had many writers through its doors and was a favourite with locals and tourists

The bookstore closed on High Street in 2006 and went on line,

In 2008 it reopened in Liosbaun and the Gallery joined it in 2009.

Through all the changes it has remained a family business, 5 of the 6 “children” work in the business.

Apart from Tom who was born in High Street all were born and raised in Salthill, a place which has special memories for them all