The last surviving traditional wooden boatyard in Ireland

This body of documentary photography, developed over 20 years, celebrates Ireland’s disappearing maritime heritage and the skills of traditional wooden boatbuilders focusing on three generations of the same family working in Hegarty’s Boatyard, Oldcourt, Skibbereen, Co Cork. Kevin O’Farrell’s practice draws on the traditions of photojournalism and magazine reportage. The exhibition comprises many photographs of the restoration of the AK Ilen, the last of Ireland’s traditional wooden, ocean-going sailing ships, as well as a new set of photographs of the restoration of the Saoirse, a 42 foot ketch on which Connor O’Brien circumnavigated the world in the 1920s. Both vessels were built in Baltimore, re-built in Hegarty’s of Oldcourt and documented throughout the process by Kevin O’Farrell.

“This is a strong, classic body of photographic work, which records and preserves an important part of Ireland’s living heritage. The photographs offer rich interpretations from a variety of perspectives – and I believe the exhibition will garner interest from those interested not only in photography and art, but also in maritime culture, as well as archaeologists and cultural historians.” Tanya Kiang, Curator, Photo Museum Ireland.