http://kennedybrothersphotography.com/

Darragh Kennedy Photography, Wolfe Tone Street, Limerick (2026)

26/04/2017

Sometimes in life you have to wonder if it is all worthwhile. During one of my first every shoots at an u14 Mid Tipperary hurling game I witnessed a young boy who really caught my eye. He wasn't the most gifted hurler, he was tall and lanky and looked as though he would rather be at home drinking a cup of tea, but he showed glimpses of greatness. Years later I witnessed him playing a club game for his local club Lough a More and noticed he was no longer this young boy, he was now a strong and agile young man. His long strides would render even the most dangerous of attackers null and void and such performances lead to his capturing of the prestigious County medal in 2013. Oh the scenes were glorious and it seemed that there would be no boundaries as to where this young talent could go next. Put the fame went to his head. Trips to his local pub in Limerick, Dwyers lead to him developing a fondness for the drink. Now a county u21 with another year ahead of him on the panel, instead of choosing to work hard and put his head down he ventured towards Molly's and Angel Lane in seek of women, kissing anything he could get his county hands on. And then, disaster. While kicking around with friends one day near his house in City Campus he failed to see the oncoming tackle from the parked car. He did damage to his knee and but for the intervention from the Order or Malta and his heroic brother the leg could have been lost. But he recovered, remaining on the county panel throughout the injury. But the drink was a constant worry. Jagerbomb after jagerbomb led to him missing the cut of the 21s the next year. It seemed that yet another sparkling talent had been claimed. But unprecedented success with the big ball led to a call up to the Tipp senior squad, fresh from success the year prior. He took a long look at the brewery lifestyle he was leading and decided to pack it all in, choosing to commute and leave his dear friends in the lurch without their drinking companion. His efforts were paid off when he came on in Croke Park winning the league final with this team, receiving the loudest applause of the day. Hail, hail. 'Dreams don't work unless you do'

15/09/2016

Sometimes in life we have to look at ourselves, take an in depth glimpse into who we are, what we are, what we stand for, what's important in our lives and of course our heritage. A person's heritage is the foundation of their being, it characterises them before they develop their own personal beliefs or opinions, linking them with people and traditions that have come long before said person's time, like it or not. Recently I had the pleasure of doing a shoot at a particular site in Co. Galway. As I drove through windy roads, passed by spectacular views of rivers, lakes and potholes I eventually reached the house of this gentleman here. This man, as you might guess from the photo is a member of the travelling community, which of course lots of brilliant people hail from, but not this man's family. His whole life he has fought against prejudice in schools and in the local GAA club, where they were not accepted or wanted. His entire life he has been an outsider, trying to engross himself into community events such as Muck Runs, but alas he was never really greeted into the community. When I met him, when this woeful first photo was taken he was down to his last twenty euro, had no prospects and no friends. But this man would not die. With the grace of God he found a woman, a remarkable woman who turned his life around. This woman brought him into her home, into her community and into the life of her family. She cared not about his past, but rather gave him a future which they began to build together. He learned to drive, got a job and now is training to be the first male hair model from the travelling community in Ireland ( the second photo was from his first shoot, which I also undertook). The love of a woman saved a struggling man, love conquered all. 'Your desire to change must be greater than your desire to stay the same'.

29/03/2016

Sometimes in life people seek to enjoy themselves. Many people enjoy themselves in many different ways. Photography is my buzz, some people play sports in which they let off steam and from which they receive enormous amounts of pleasure. For some others enjoyment is meeting up with their nearest and dearest and meeting up for a chat and a few pints. These methods of enjoying oneself and letting ones hair down are all perfectly acceptable and for most are just a way of getting away for the mundane events of their daily lives. But sometimes people can take enjoyment too far. While on a shoot in a local student accommodation complex in Limerick city recently I sought to capture these students not as they went about their no doubt stressful and dedicated daily routines but at the other side, when they were enjoying themselves. The shoot was a great success and I hope to share plenty more photos from it in the coming days, But while the majority of students were enjoying themselves with a few beverages some looked out of control. This particular boy pictured caught my eye first. While everyone else was chatting and drinking, he could not stop smoking. One cigarette was lit, extinguished and then another lit, extinghuished. The cycle continued, Eventually one cigarette was not enough for this poor boy. He emptied the whole carton into his mouth and lit up in the middle of the room. Smoke filled the room, he was in his element, but the other people were not. After ignoring their pleas to 'stop fu***ng smoking' and 'ah steve put out the f**s will ya?' the smoker continued. The crowd eventually left, sickened by the smell. The boy was left alone with his ci******es, alone with his unfortunate addiction. In the coming weeks I will work closely with this boy, as he faces exams and assignments and try to help him overcome this terrible flaw. 'There's not a drug on earth that can make life meaningful'

15/11/2015

Sometimes in this world we see people differently to what they actually are. Homeless people how may look dirty and horrible may be in fact kindhearted and generous, whereas we may see wealthy people, dressed well and driving nice cars who are selfish and uncaring. On a recent photo shoot in the Burren county Clare I had the pleasure of attending a class field trip with several Geography students from Mary Immaculate College. These hardworking students were all very interested and motivated and learned plenty about the area. In order to celebrate their hard days work they all went out that night to a cosy little public house who welcomed them warmly and served them a few beers. Everyone was enjoying themselves and I continued to take photographs throughout the night, until i spotted one student in particular, a redheaded boy who seemed to have taken one or two beers too many. Here we see him on the night in question drinking from a red cup. . While dancing that very same night this young man elbowed a poor innocent girl without remorse. Notice how also he has his elbow sticking out in the picture. as if he was eyeing up his next target. He swung his elbows around all night, blatantly ignoring all those around him and their safety. I was appalled. Since this photo shoot took place it seems that this same boy has in fact harassed another girl with his dangerously pointy elbows, once again in complete disregard for her safety. The girl stated that her face was sore in many places and that when asked why he did such a heinous act he simply replied 'gluk'. We must ensure that bullies like this man do not prey on poor defenseless girls any longer. The world is already a dangerous place without the likes of this monster around. 'We can overcome evil with greater good'

11/09/2015

Sometimes in life we stroll through existence looking for the right person, some seek more eagerly than others but it is on the agenda of most of our fellow humans to eventually find a person whom we can spend a happy and meaningful life with. Some people spend their night searching for love in sweaty, grimy nightclubs kissing strangers or perhaps friends trying to find this love. Others spend time in relationships that perhaps they don't have entire faith in. My model today has done both of these. But when e asked me to come to America while he was enjoying he J1 to take a photo shoot of the "love of his life" I could hardly resist, I have never seen such passion and grá between two individuals and they had to travel half way across the world to find it. Unfortunately geography eventually got the better of these two and their summer romance, but they are still in contact and eventually hope to meet again, and I hope to be there camera in hand to show the world the expression of delight in both their faces. "Distance is only a test to see how far love can travel"

21/05/2015

It's the topic on everyone's lips at the moment. No matter where you are or whoever you're talking to the referendum taking place tomorrow is most certainly in the limelight. Everyone has their own say on the matter and that's perfectly ok but I wish to share a story about two young men who I did a shoot for not too long ago. These men fought against the adversity of their nation in order to express their love. A love which is deemed unofficial int their country. For them it all began at a house party in apartment 350 in City Campus where they began chatting as the sing song began around them. It is fair to say that it was love at first sight and they began dating soon after, but not without their struggles. Wherever they went they faced constant jeers from peers and strangers alike. They were called names such as 'qu**rs', 'faggots' and 'cockmunchers' as they went about their daily lives. But despite all of this they continued to love each other, and have told me that the abuse that they faced possibly made the relationship stronger. The shoot I took part in took place abroad, where they could legally get married. It was a pleasure for me to be part of their ceremony, which made their love official in most eyes, but not in the eyes of our state. They have told me that their marriage has given them a sense of relationship and closeness that they could never replicate with a civil partnership. We should be ashamed to live in a state that does not regard love like this as official and that disregards everything that these men stand for. It took an adorable couple like these to show me that love can be expressed by any gender to any gender. I'm not telling you which way to vote but when you enter the polling booths tomorrow remember the happy expressions on these two lover's faces and think of what you can do to help thousands like them. We should respect everyone for who they are. 'Being is not a choice, no one would choose to make life harder than it has to be'.

30/04/2015

Sometimes we need to stop and take a look at our own lives and appreciate what we have each day. The majority of us are lucky enough to wake up in a warm bed, to be able to get up and eat a hearty breakfast and then go about our daily routines in whatever manner or fashion we please. Some people however are not so lucky. I had the privilege of doing a charity photo shoot not too long ago in the streets of Mallow, one of Cork's biggest towns. Yes there were beautiful sights to behold, John Foley's fine establishment and of course the historic drinking haunt that is the Mouse Trap. But with establishments like these it's easy to lose control. I encountered this young man in the Mouse Trap during my visit there, a pub where he said serves 'grand pints of Murphys' and 'daycent bags of Meanies'. This obsession grew longer. He spent his weekends in this public house, drinking with men thrice his age with ghastly nicknames such as 'the haddock' and 'Tipp Joe'. The first photo shown is this man the very night I met him, a sorry sight. The obsession overtook his life, eventually affecting his college life, his evenings were mixed spending time in a particular pun on Wolfe Tone Street, 'gattin' in his apartment and spending too much time in the Library venue than any Mary I student should. He told me his grades were suffering as well as his promising Cork Under 21 hurling career. He needed help, which he got. I met up with the same man not too long ago and took the second picture, a changed man compared to what I met that time ago. Now on placement, he has an upcoming 21st birthday in his local GAA complex which he has vowed not 'to go on the gatts at', his Under 21 career has been revitalized with two goals vs Dublin and his exams were a breeze according to the man himself. We have to remember that no situation is too hard to come out of if you set your mind to it. 'You can change your life by changing your heart'

23/04/2015

Sometimes we are known for specific traits that we possess, that other people feel define us. 'He's a magnificent singer' or 'She's an excellent academic' but one trait does not define who we are. I worked at an under 21 county hurling photo shoot not too long ago and got talking to a fine young man who began to tell me the struggles that he has faced in the last few years. He began to tell me a story of constant training, continuous travelling and amazing success, but at what cost? He told me that he has more than once had to lie to his trainers about gym sessions, that he just could not fit into his busy schedule. He shared with me stories of constant injury woes, dislocated knees and disgraceful hamstrings. He quipped that he has won more senior county medals in the last two years than the number that is his QCA rating in college. He is known as an athlete, but all he wants to do is enjoy his time in college, have a few drinks with his friends and do well in his exams. He wants to be known for more than just an outstanding sports personality, he wants to be respected as the all rounder he knows he is, and this struck me deep. People should look beyond the obvious, look at the overall person rather than just their clear skills. 'No two leaves are alike, and yet there is no antagonism between them or between the branches on which they grow'

12/04/2015

Sometimes it takes a photography for us to see the real differences in things. Some things look the same if we just glance at them with the naked eye, not stopping to look and really appreciate the beauty beneath. Not everything that looks the same is the same. There are small, significant differences that give things their individual allure and refinement. Sick and tired of being taken for the same identity, these smart looking men asked me to take a few photos at their debs a couple of years ago, so there would be a way of displaying to the world their similarities yes, but more importantly their differences. These fine looking men have different loves, attend different colleges and play at different ends of the hurling pitch. My photo is just here to show the world that they are separate people, intertwined since the womb yes, but free to fly alone in the world now. They are independent in the world. 'Everything that is really good and inspiring is created by the individual who can labour in freedom'

04/04/2015

Photos help us to remember who we are, what we have achieved and who has help us accomplish these achievements. A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by a friend of mine, I won't mention his name, about a job concerning the transformation in life that he has made. He was once a 'Northside Knacker' coming from a real rough side of Cork city, he used to go 'gatting' can of druids in graveyards and the likes all across the city. Now however, against all the odds, he has changed his life. He is in the process of becoming a primary teacher and has told me that he has made 'some of the greatest friends of his life' since attending Mary Immaculate college. He asked me to search through his photos old and new in order to show his transformation to the world. What a brave boy he was, and what a resilient man he has become. Kudos. 'Photos can help us remember what we once were, but it is yourself who decides what you can become'.

02/04/2015

Was on a jog again this morning in the city, and I couldn't believe what struck me. Every night we go out we pass the 'milk market' - it's right accross the road from angel lane and the library. How foolish and naive are we that in our drunken states, we never consider the beauty and rich culture of this place? I simply had to find an angle to capture this awesome place, so the staff of top pizza were kind enough to let me onto the roof to get this shot. Mesmerizing!
'Without the lens I am blind, it is like a looking glass into a parallel world'

01/04/2015

Here's a photograph from Aidan Collins' birthday party last night (as promised). PM for prices and bookings! We also do scrapbooks, collages and framed blown up pictures for birhdays or any other events!

"A camera is a save button for the minds eye" :)

Darragh Kennedy Photography

26/04/2017

15/09/2016

29/03/2016

15/11/2015

11/09/2015

21/05/2015

30/04/2015

23/04/2015

12/04/2015

04/04/2015

02/04/2015

01/04/2015

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