A fascinating exhibition of photography dating back to the 1960s will go on display at Mallow Library from today, Thursday, all photos taken by legendary local photographer Gerard O’Meara who has been snapping local people and events for over six decades. The exhibition will run until Wednesday, 17th July, and it offers a fascinating social history of Mallow and its residents from the 1960s to recent times.
Gerard recently generously donated his archive of photos to Cork County Council Library and Arts Service and, to mark this substantial donation, the library is showcasing a taster of Gerard’s creations. Gerard took up photo-graphy at the age of 14 when his parents Jim and Aileen gave him a birthday present of a Zeiss Ikon Nettar camera, and he received his first pro-fessional commission just four years later. Over his long and varied career, Gerard has photographed food, weddings, portraits, aerial, sports, nature, theatre, advertising, landscapes, fashion, buildings, interiors and much more.
On 14th July Gerard will celebrate his 80th birthday, and to mark the milestone event, Mallow Library will host a special celebration on Saturday, 13th July, to which the public will be invited. Details of the birthday celebration will be announced in the next couple of weeks.