Photographer Se‡n puts focus on Galway

By Judith Faherty

Galway born and raised, Sean Lally, has found his true love in the form of photography and has recently produced a poster titled ‘Galway Memories’ filled with his favourite pictures from the city which he describes as the “most beautiful city in the world”.

Sean, who lived in Toronto, Canada for seventeen years where he worked as a pipe welder before returning home in 1993, describes himself as a real Galwegian, saying he is a fairly well known figure around the city.

“I’m a real Galway person; you will often find me down at the Claddagh, it’s my favourite place because it changes every day. The tide, the lighting, it’s just amazing,” commented Sean.

An avid racquet ball player, Sean represented Ireland at the World Championships in 1997 in the over 50s category, before picking up a bad knee injury which ended his playing days. He was involved in coaching and teaching racquet ball in NUIG and was also heavily involved with the Galway Handball and Racquet Ball Club.

The injury to his knee was a huge blow as it also ended the business he ran at the time – a picture framing business in Westside.  

However, it opened a new door for Sean and gave him a chance to get back behind the lens and begin taking pictures at his own leisure. He now makes his way around the city with his camera in tow on a bicycle, something he describes as “a fantastic mode of transport”. “After about a year of getting over not being able to play racquet ball and run my business anymore, I started to get out with the camera and take pictures of nature, animals, the sunrise and all things Galway,” he said.

“It’s a real passion of mine, I love taking photos for my own pleasure, it gave me a reason to get out again after my knee injury,” Sean added.

Although in the beginning it was just for himself, and primarily still is, with the ‘Galway Memories’ project he hopes to get something back from the photos. After two years of taking photos for the collection, it has come to fruition in the past two months.

Featured on the poster are pictures of the local hotspots in the city including the Claddagh, the picturesque Dockland, popular city pubs, sailing vessels, fishing boats, swans, an attractive sunset and the iconic Galway Cathedral.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.