Picture this: Gift of camera sparked 45-year career in photography

A NEW and exciting world opened up for Gerard O’Meara when his parents Jim and Aileen marked his 14th birthday with a present of a Zeiss Ikon Nettar camera.

It started him off on a career as a photographer that has already spanned over 45 years during which he has recorded many aspects of life in Mallow.

Now, he has compiled a book of 162 photographs from his archive covering that period with the apt title Magic Moments.

He said he marvels to this day at the wisdom of his parents in giving him with a camera as a birthday present.

Mr O’Meara thanked all who had helped and inspired him in his career including the late poet and journalist, Robert O’Donoghue.

Paddy Carelton, who launched the book, said Mr O’Meara’s photographs are not only preserving the past for the present but also for the future.

“Events in Mallow and surrounding areas have been recorded for posterity. So many events and occasions have been captured.

“His shots of streetscapes, shop fronts, community and political events, are all magnificent records. Very many people will relate to his group photos.

“Historical, community and various events will recall many happy memories and will lead to many people reminiscing about times past,” he said.

Declan Hassett, author and playwright, described Mr O’Meara in a foreword to the book as a recorder of local history through the camera lens.

He said Magic Moments is Gerard’s pragmatic and tangible way of saying thanks to the people of Mallow and to the wider community encountered by him over the years as he recorded the making of local history.