TWO well-known Limerick photographers found themselves in the unusual position of being in front of the cameras, rather than behind them, at AIB Annual Press Photographer Association of Ireland (PPAI) Awards.
The black-tie gala event, now in its 47th year, took place in Dublin last Friday and saw two local lensmen in the frame for their eye-catching work.
Brendan Gleeson was awarded second place in the News Section for his iconic image of Natasha O’Brien, while Keith Wiseman took home third prize in the new Public Relations category with his image, ‘Admiral of the Shannon’.
The annual awards recognise press photographers from around Ireland with a collection of 110 images that told the story of 2024.
Hosted by broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan and organised by Press Photographers Ireland CLG, the glittering ceremony was held at the UCD O’Reilly Hall.
Working as a freelance photographer in Limerick for over 30 years, Brendan Gleeson told the Limerick Post he was “extremely proud” to be honoured for his work.
“To say I was shocked was an underestimation. They showed my picture and I said to Miriam O’Callaghan, ‘are you sure this is right?’
“It’s 30 years of work and to have your peers say you have achieved an award-winning picture is beyond words. I work everyday capturing moments in time, from the excitement to the dramatic,” Brendan explained.
“You see people at the worst and best of times from social events to Limerick winning All-Irelands. You see good people on the worst of occasions and you have to be diplomatic and show a human touch with them. Sit down and chat away, get them relaxed with you.
“You have many cups of coffee with people, and it’s all part of the job. The photo I won the award for was taken outside Limerick District Court at a demonstration and I wanted a dramatic and deep picture to show the anger,” he said of the winning snap of Natasha O’Brien raising a fist in defiance outside the Mulgrave Street courts complex.
Limerick photographer Keith Wiseman, who also took home a prize on the night, said he was pleasantly surprised to receive the third place award in the newly added Public Relations Category. He expressed extreme gratitude for the recognition, and said he was honoured to have won the award.
“Having been a member of the association for many years, this is my first time being presented with a trophy for one of my images, having had images hung in the exhibition previously,” Keith revealed.
His image, titled ‘Admiral of the Shannon‘, was captured on the river on June 28 last year when newly-elected Mayor John Moran threw a ceremonial dart into the River Shannon from a traditional Limerick Gandelow, symbolising his authority as the Admiral of the Shannon — an ancient maritime tradition dating back to 1765.
The Press Photographer of the Year Award was established to bring the memorable work of Ireland’s press photographers to a wider audience.
With more than 1,000 entries to consider, judges were faced with some difficult decisions with some of the most eye-capturing images from the past yaer.
“The age of fake news, disinformation, AI generated and manipulated images is truly upon us. Still, the viewers of these 110 images and other work by members of Press Photographers Ireland can be assured that only human technical and creative skills have been deployed in telling these stories,” said David Branigan,
president of Press Photographers Ireland.
