What a day we had in Kilkenny!

We couldn’t have imagined how the day would end as we set off at 6.30 on a cold Sunday morning. As always there was speculation about where we would place, talk of our progression over the last few years from 23rd place at our first attempt and moving up to 17th on our last. Would we make it into the top ten this year? Maybe…. Yes, if we could achieve that we would be happy. As a relatively new club we all felt that it was good to make a steady progression in the rankings and we felt that as a group we were bringing each other on and that was showing in our two panels this year. So we were quietly optimistic that we would move up that ladder but we were not prepared for what actually unfolded as the awards were announced.

It started with the announcement for most improved club. We were told that there were two clubs who were being awarded this year. The first called out was Blarney Camera Club to a roar of cheers from its members. We were still clapping for them when they announced that the other club to receive a certificate was Raheny Camera Club. Our jaws almost hit the floor. We just looked at each other in disbelief before a delayed and riotous roar. Our first award as a club. We were beside ourselves with happiness. Absolutely thrilled.

We had just about gathered ourselves and regained some measure of calm when they announced our member, Conor O’Brien as the recipient of the bronze award for his beautiful colour print. We couldn’t believe it. We were on our feet, absolutely bursting with pride for Conor as he stood up and collected his award. Another first for Raheny Camera Club. We were delighted.

With no expectation of placing in the top three for either the colour or monochrome panel we settled in to see who would be successful and have their moment of glory in front of the gathered crowd. If truth be told we were still a little distracted by our previous awards. When our panel appeared on the big screen as they announced first place for monochrome, we were blindsided. It took a few seconds for the reality to set in and another round of shocked glances at each other before we erupted in a unified cheer. We had won for our panel. It was hard to believe. Our little club, just five years old, had created a panel that had achieved first place. What a fantastic feeling, standing together, in utter disbelief, to receive our award.

As the full results were handed out we discovered that we had come fourth with our colour panel and fourth overall. Not bad for a fledgling club from Raheny.

It was a surreal experience that went from joy to pride to utter bewilderment.

We would like to congratulate Andrew Magan and his team for organising such a great event. It was a fantastic venue and a wonderful day. Thank you for all your hard work.

Congratulations to the following photographers who represented the club with their images:

Monochrome Panel: Billy Cahill, Conor O’Brien, Terry Tracey, Liz Stowe, Billy White, Dee Barragry, Derek Emerson, Gerard McGrath, Anne McGrath and Claire Savage.

Colour Panel: Olwyn Young, Billy Cahill, Conor O’Brien, Pearse Barnett, Phil McGowan, Anne McGrath, Dom O’Brien, Derek Emerson, Sharon Hughes and Jennifer Whelan.

Until next year!