US photographer launches book of Irish photos to aid Boston Marathon bombing victims

An American photographer based in Vermont, USA has published a book featuring images of the Irish landscape to raise funds for survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing. 

Alanna Scully, originally from West Springfield, Massachusetts, had packed in her day job and travelled to Ireland in 2013 in search of meaning. She was touring Killarney on the evening of April 15 that year when she learnt that two bombs had killed several people and injured hundreds more at the marathon in Boston.

“I was shell-shocked, feeling that I should be at home volunteering and helping in some way,” Alanna said. “I felt so helpless being so far from Boston when something so terrible had happened.”

Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow (Photo: Alanna Scully)

She began searching for flights home to Massachusetts and intended to leave immediately, but was deterred by a Galway man. He suggested she open her eyes to the beauty of Ireland and instead finish her travels in a meaningful way.

'Céad Míle Fáilte' is the result of Alanna's long journey around Ireland.

Baby lambs block the road to Tintern Abbey in Co. Wexford (Photo: Alanna Scully)

She was inspired to create the book because she felt deeply affected by the bombings, and she wanted to use her photography skills to make a difference.

Monastic ruins in Glendalough on way to Kilkenny (Photo: Alanna Scully)

Her book includes breathtaking images of the urban and rural landscapes of Ireland. Cork, Kerry, Clare, Dublin, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Galway, Sligo, Donegal and Antrim feature prominently.

All proceeds from the sale of ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ will benefit the Massachusetts Resiliency Center, organised to assist victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Slieve League Cliffs, Co. Donegal (Photo: Alanna Scully)

Alanna, now back at home in the US, says the book is also a tribute to Ireland and all the wonderful people she met during her solo three-month trip across the nation.

'Céad Míle Fáilte' can be purchased here