History
Our club is one of the oldest camera clubs in the country being formed in 1977. It is an amateur organisation which affords members an opportunity to learn about all aspects of photography such as how to get the best out of a camera, group composition, use of flash guns, print presentation etc. It also offers a very social outlet to members and a competitive opportunity for those interested in competitions.
Our club is affiliated to the Southern Association of Camera Clubs and also to the Irish Photographic Federation and participates in all competitions hosted by those associations. Each year we hold a beginner’s course for new members .Our membership fluctuates from year to year and currently our club comprises of thirty-five members. We attend all events around Thurles and its surrounding area. Our club hold its weekly meetings every Wednesday in Hayes Hotel Thurles @ 8.30pm from mid September to mid May during which time we have many invited guests who give brilliant presentations.
Previous guests include Podge Kelly of R.T.E. fame that gave a brilliant insight into digital presentation, Paul Keane renowned British photographer who gave a brilliant presentation on his travels to China and Eastern Europe, local photographers George Willoughby, Tom Ryan Casey and Jim Finn.
We travel to other clubs within the Munster region sharing our experiences and always conclude the visits with some light refreshments and friendly banter.
We also host Southern Association events as well as Irish Photographic Federation events. Regarding the latter we are eternally gratefulf to the Tipperary Institute who have made their facilities available to us during the past two years re our hosting of the I.P.F Distinctions.
On a sad note the passing of one of our founding members Paddy Prior who went to his Eternal award two years ago saddened all in our club. At the time of his death Paddy was vice chairman of the club.Last year his sister and nieces presented the club with a cup in memory to Paddy, which will be presented each year to the recipient of photographer of the year.
Technology has of course transformed photography with the arrival of Digital and as a result about 90 % of our members solely use digital cameras.
For the millennium a large number of our members participated in capturing Thurles and district covering various scenes, sport and actions on print and slide. All the work was on display in Thurles Credit Union and was then presented to Thurles Library, which can be accessed in the archives.
Former members of the club include Paddy Hickey of Hickeys Pharmacy & Photo Centre Liberty Square, Thurles, professional photographers Pat McCoole, Tom Ryan (Casey), George Willoughby, and Sinéad Ni Riain.
Anyone interested in photography for whatever reason, be it student researching or an enthusiast are welcome to visit one of our meetings to sample the atmosphere and new members are always welcome.
Our club notes appear in the Tipperary Star weekly newspaper in the Thurles club scene section.
For information on our club or its activities the chairman can be contacted by phone/fax (0504) 22438.
