Picture this: Public figures reveal their hidden hobbies

FEW could picture butch New Zealand rugby forward turned television pundit Brent Pope writing children’s books.

Fewer still could picture intrepid explorer and conqueror of Everest Pat Falvey catching butterflies.

But that is exactly what renowned photographer Dominic Lee has done for his book Out of Your Tree 2 launched this week to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society.

The full-colour album features more than 200 photographs of national and international figures enjoying their favourite hobbies.

From Kerry legend Paudie O Sé walking along Ventry Beach to food critic Paulo Tullio immersed in his favourite hobby of carpentry, the book throws up some unexpected images.

Among the images capturing well known figures most far removed from their usual persona include those of the North’s former chief constable Hugh Orde driving his vintage tractor in Belfast and Virgin boss Richard Branson kite surfing.

Other images are simply surreal such as Dr Ali Al Saleh Imam vacuuming the Shia Mosque in Milltown, Dublin and Ross O’Carroll-Kelly, aka Paul Howard, collecting Star Wars toys.

Dominic Lee had to travel far and wide to capture the images – as far as Los Angeles to capture Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley with his collection of flutes and Austria to photograph chef Kevin Dundon indulging in his passion for skiing.

“Out of Your Tree 2 captures the imagination by showing a different angle to these people’s lives, one that you may never have expected,” said the Irish Cancer Society.

The varied and wide ranging hobbies span from the common pursuits of golf and chess to the more unusual pastimes of riding elephants and breeding Connemara ponies.

* www.cancer.ie