by Martha Ewence
THERE was surprise and delight for a Ballynanty based photographer, John Hickey when he was contacted by the Irish Photographic Federation (IPF). One of his images had been selected to represent Ireland in the Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP) Biennial World Cup.
Mr Hickey’s image was selected specially by the IPF and joins nine other images representing Ireland internationally.
His work had come to the attention of the Irish Photographic Federation through entering first Regional and then National Competitions. This has been a successful year for John seeing him win a first and second place in the Southern Association of Camera Clubs (SACC) regional qualifiers, followed by another first and second in the IPF National Finals held earlier this year.
The FIAP Biennial World Cup Competition was held in Ankara, Turkey last weekend and Ireland continued the trend of punching above its weight again finishing 6th out of the 37 countries that entered.
The highlight for John Hickey was that his image “A Life of Steam” was awarded a FIAP Silver Medal in the individual awards category. John shot the image last year in Moyasta Train Station just outside Kilkee, on a day trip with St. Munchin’s Senior Citizen’s Club where he volunteers.
Commenting on his win, Mr Hickey said that he was “absolutely overjoyed” and thinks it’s fitting for a local Limerick man to win such a competition especially with Limerick city celebrating the City of Culture 2014.
