Tributes paid after death of former Irish Examiner photographer Kieran Clancy

Renowned Limerick photojournalist Kieran Clancy, praised for his sharp eye and quiet professionalism, is remembered fondly by colleagues and friends

Former Irish Examiner staff photographer Kieran Clancy

Tributes have been paid to award-winning Irish press photographer, Kieran Clancy, who sadly passed away following an illness on Friday.

Originally from Mayorstone, on the outskirts of the Treaty City, Clancy worked for numerous news and public relations agencies and was regarded by many as one of Ireland’s leading press and commercial photographers.

He had battled with Parkinson’s disease for a number of years and passed away surrounded by family at a nursing home in Co Clare.

Mr Clancy enjoyed a distinguished career as a freelance photojournalist after spending 20 years as a staff photographer with the Cork Examiner, later the Irish Examiner, based in Limerick and covering news, sport, and entertainment across the midwest.

He was a former President of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland (PPAI) and, in 2021, was awarded Honorary Membership of the association in recognition of his “outstanding contribution” to press photography in Ireland.

“He had a great eye for a photograph and the story being told in the image,” said Mr Clancy’s former colleague and friend, Noel Gavin, formerly Irish Daily Star, and the Press 22 photographic agency.

“He was very competitive — we all were — but Kieran was stealthy, he would always get the best photo, the best angle, and he did it quietly.

“He was a great credit to his Dad, Seán, who was so long in the photograph business before him.” 

Irish Examiner photographer Kieran Clancy shows Nikolai Kutayev aged 6 from Belarus the pictures he has taken on his digital camera at Shannon Airport after Nikolai arrived with the Chernobyl Childrens Project. Picture James Horan/Press 22

Legendary Limerick photographer Owen “Southie” South also paid tribute: “Kieran was a lovely man. He was a great photographer with the Examiner working in Limerick. His death is very sad.”

“He was a great colleague, a great guy, and he was meticulous with every job that he did — he always did it right.” 

Liam Burke, who worked alongside Mr Clancy for decades in Limerick, said: “Kieran was a wonderful, award-winning photographer. He was a friend to everybody.”

Yura Burmantau, 8, from Chernobyl with 'Irish Examiner' photographer Kieran Clancy presenting him with a framed photo of himself  in 2001.

Kieran Clancy’s late father, Seán, worked in Limerick as Midwest regional photojournalist for the Irish Independent, while his late brother, Kevin, was regarded as a pioneering press photographer and among the first in Ireland to transition from film to digital photography.

“He was an inspirational photographer for a lot of us on the job. He was a pure gentleman, he had a great eye and he was so enthusiastic about the job — it’s very sad,” said freelance photographer Brendan Gleeson.

Over his stellar career, Kieran Clancy photographed presidents to paupers and everyone in between. After retiring from the press corps in 2016, he continued working in wedding and commercial photography.

Recalling one of many fond memories of working alongside him, Noel Gavin said: “I remember a really funny incident involving Kieran during an occasion when the former US President Gerald Ford stopped over at Shannon airport at some unearthly hour, and we were there taking photographs in the airport’s VIP room where they used to bring dignitaries.” 

Kieran Clancy with former Irish Examiner picture editor Norma Cuddihy and former staff photographer Denis Minihane. Picture: Tony Maxwell

“Kieran was trying to get a better angle on a shot, and there was a glass coffee table in the middle of the room and Kieran decided to sit on it to get a low shot, and the glass cracked to the exact sound of a gunshot.”

“President Ford visibly jumped in his chair and all his security guys thought someone was after shooting him — that could have been the end of Kieran then.” 

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.