A man has been honoured with a medal after taking a photograph of the Easter Rising and the first time in his life he took a photograph outside a Catholic church.
Sam Jones, a photographer from Donegal, shot the image of the crowd in the church in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The photograph was taken by a passerby, who said it was “just another picture of the people in Ireland”.
“I couldn’t be happier to be recognised,” he said.
“The people have really responded.
I don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to do it again, but I have a feeling I will get back there one day.”
Sam Jones said he has been taking pictures of the events of Easter Rising for years and it was an honour to receive the award.
The photographer said it is a bit surreal to be receiving the medal, but he has no doubt he will return to taking pictures in the future.
“Every year I get a little bit closer to doing it again.” “
He said he would like to take more pictures of Easter, but said he had not decided how. “
Every year I get a little bit closer to doing it again.”
He said he would like to take more pictures of Easter, but said he had not decided how.
I think I’ll be out there for the next four or five years, and hopefully that will be the last time I ever do it.” “
That’s what keeps me going, the idea of doing it.”
I think I’ll be out there for the next four or five years, and hopefully that will be the last time I ever do it.
“Maybe one day I’ll get lucky and I’ll have the chance to shoot a photograph that I really like. “
There are always moments when I want something a bit different,” he explained.
The photo of the mass of people outside the church was taken in a street in Kilkenny, Co Donegal. “
But right now, I’m just so grateful to have been recognised for what I’m doing.”
The photo of the mass of people outside the church was taken in a street in Kilkenny, Co Donegal.
The photo was taken on the morning of Easter Sunday, when many of the Protestant and Catholic communities were celebrating the Easter holiday.
The Catholic Church and the Easter Brigade was in full swing.
Mr Jones said the photograph was a testament to the strength of Irish culture.
“You can’t really explain how important it is for Irish people to be proud of what we’re doing,” he added.
“Myself and the rest of the photographers that I’ve been shooting, we’re not really looking to be celebrated. “
We’re just doing it to get a picture.” “
Myself and the rest of the photographers that I’ve been shooting, we’re not really looking to be celebrated.
We’re just doing it to get a picture.”
The award is made in memory of Sam Jones who was killed in a car crash in 1996.
“As a photographer, I always feel honoured when I receive an award,” he told The Irish News.
“Being awarded with an award is a nice thing to get.
“Just one day at a time.””
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Just one day at a time.”