Photo Essay: A Tragic Week That Was in Dublin

by dunk Mon Oct 19, 2009 17:33

Sheriff Street's farewell for local hero (article in irish times)

Sheriff Street was a byword for deprivation in the early 1980s but then the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) was built and the North Wall area became dwarfed on all sides by sleek glass offices and luxury apartments. “We were lost in the middle,” says Fay, who is chairman of the North Wall Community Association. “People thought we were benefiting and our troubles were over, but they were wrong.” It’s a strange feeling for Sheriff Street to be back in the news, he says ruefully. “We’ve been in the news for years, but mostly for the wrong reasons. We are a community with a troubled history.”

“When they see someone from this area becoming famous, it really gives them a source of pride. His mother [Margaret] and father [Martin] are lovely people,” he says.

“When Stephen became famous, you’d have all the young ones coming down, asking ‘where does he live?’ And Margaret Gately would bring people in and show them Stephen’s bedroom. She’d say, ‘come in and have a cup of tea’ to the young ones, up from the country. So there was great excitement around the area. And now it’s important to people, out of respect to the Gately family, that the area is shown in the best light.”

“This is a good community where everyone knows everyone. If you threw a stone over the wall, you’d probably hit your granny or a second cousin,” Fay says. He maintains there is no desire from the State to improve conditions for the people of North Wall. It is one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in Dublin, he argues, due to its proximity to the IFSC, the train stations, the new Point Village, the national conference centre and the National College of Ireland. “They don’t want people here. But we’re not going anywhere,” he says.

“After the funeral, the circus will move on and life will go on, but we will still be fighting the same battles we’ve always been fighting.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2009/1017/1....html

Sheriff Street - some past visits, actions, discussions

greening the city @ sheriff street 2005:
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/69290?search_text=tree%...04836

Dublin´s Metamorphosis
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/91362

related audio file;

Mary Cummings, North Wall Womens Centre @ Sheriff Street (recorded febuary 2007- 7.36 Mb, part of world social forum indymedia radio project, topic- housing)
http://www.indymedia.ie/attachments/mar2009/0iradio___g...n.mp3

http://www.indymedia.ie/attachments/mar2009/0iradio___gln___housing__dublin___mary_cummings_north_wall_womens_center_sheriff_st_en.mp3

Mary Cummings, North Wall Womens Centre 2007

by Michael Gallagher Sun Oct 18, 2009 14:38

A link to the photography exhibition Paul O'T refers too. http://www.indymedia.ie/article/94390

by lulu Sun Oct 18, 2009 14:04

Besides the funeral being a community event, there's also the issue of how Stephen Gately was libelled in the 'Mail', entirely hurtful to his family & friends, & many people who might not have taken any notice of the band's music felt obliged to defend someone who could no longer defend himself.

by paul o toole Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:52

Seems to me that Michael Gallagher is one of the (very) few photojournalists whos perspective is grounded in working class struggles...as far as iv seen anyway. I went to the 'Images Of Resistance' in the Unite Union hall on abbey street and was very moved and impressed.
Mabey wane would like to go along and have a look at some of the funerals pictured there....mabe they shouldent have been taken either, and we could turn a blind eye....wait, we already have......

by Michael Gallagher Sat Oct 17, 2009 22:37

I won't try to justify or defend myself or my work against morons.

I'm a bit surprised Wanye's comment hasn't been deleted yet. I think they call it attacking the player?

Obviously he knows very little about photography or photographers, regardless of where I'm from.

Thanks anyway F.

by F Sat Oct 17, 2009 22:20

Michael is from the North Inner City as far as i know. It seems to have been a community event that was worth recording. i think it was tactfully done.i enjoyed the essay. thanks.

by Wayne Sat Oct 17, 2009 19:19

Michael you have crossed the line by imposing yourself on peoples'funerals. Hang your head in shame for your pr stunts.

by Michael Gallagher Sat Oct 17, 2009 18:10

.

by Michael Gallagher Sat Oct 17, 2009 18:05

.

Hunt and Trap

Some People Won't Take No for and Answer

Fans and Neighbours of Stephen GatelyF

by Michael Gallagher Sat Oct 17, 2009 17:59

.

That Draw

Some People Won't Take Yes ...

...for an Answer

Signs of the Times