THIS BOOK IS A CELEBRATION OF ALL TRADITIONAL WOODEN BOAT BUILDERS, BUT MOST ESPECIALLY THE WONDERFUL CRAFTSMEN OF HEGARTY’S BOATYARD. THIS YARD WAS ESTABLISHED BY PADDY HEGARTY SHORTLY AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR, AND NOW HIS GRANDSON PADDY HEGARTY IS THE THIRD GENERATION OF HEGARTY BOAT BUILDERS TO WORK AT THE SAME SITE ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER ILEN.
‘It is both culturally important and life-affirming’
Irish Arts Review, Spring 2020.
‘This remarkable and comprehensive project to document traditional wooden boat building at Hegarty’s Boatyard over two decades, wonderfully demonstrates how the shape and structure of local craft are determined by location, the use to which the boats will be put and the skills of the boatmen who earn their living from them. The huge amount of craftsmanship and effort that goes into building a planked workboat has been faithfully recorded here for all time, but above all, these stunning photographs capture the beauty of Hegarty's hand crafted vessels.’
Richard Doughty,
Director, National Maritime Museum Cornwall, UK.
‘Hegarty’s Boatyard a wonderful collection of photographs by Kevin O’Farrell of a marvellous boatyard and boatbuilders. Kevin’s photographic essay brilliantly portrays the spirit of a magical place. Which I feel that have already visited and met the people.Can’t wait!’
James Dodds
Artist
‘Kevin O’Farrell has captured and preserved a beautiful and informative visual record of traditional wooden boat building and sailing in West Cork. His empathy with key custodians of this vibrant tradition is really apparent in this exquisite publication.’
Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh,
Editor, Traditional Boats of Ireland.
‘The perfect ode to one of Ireland’s maritime jewels.’
Steffan Meyric Hughes,
Editor, Classic Boat magazine.
‘Kevin O’Farrell’s hauntingly beautiful images of Hegarty’s Boatyard offer not only a rare glimpse of Ireland’s last traditional shop. O’Farrell’s perspective, the book’s design, and the photographs themselves are restrained and spare, creating a visual poem that gets to the heart and soul of Irish boatbuilding.’
Matthew P Murphy,
Editor, Wooden Boat magazine.
Simply, documentary photography at it's very best. Slowly cooked over many years by a master craftsman. Well done Kevin O'Farrell.
Ron McCormick Photographer.
Just added to my collection, Hegarty’s Boatyard by Kevin O'Farrell has been a long-term photography by one of our best documentary photographers. This is a major piece of work with a touring exhibition that I’m looking forward to seeing when it gets to Dublin. Photography is top notch beautifully crafted images. It’s a seamless mix of black and white and colour images.
Check out Kevin’s website for an excellent insight into documentary photography.
Interestingly there is an image of Kevin with a table of Leica cameras and the late Fay Godwin Britain’s greatest documentary sitting opposite. I’m thinking she would have loved this work.
Eddie (Ireland)
Kevin - wanted to let you know your book was very welcome! Here is what my brother, wrote to me today:
‘‘Just opened my birthday present. Thank you, This is the nicest present I can remember ever getting. I love the whole thing—the characters, the boats, the water, and the dogs and cats. Everything. What came through is the dedication and love they have for these boats and their craft. He seems to capture this love affair they have with wood and water. The tools are worth a book all by themselves. Going to be looking at this one for a long time.
Thank you for this gift. I love it and you !”
Alan (USA)
I received my book the other day, and it is absolutely gorgeous!
Karen (Canada)
Thanks for sending me a copy of your book, Hegarty’s Boatyard.
I saw your exhibition at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth last autumn, by chance. I took my kids to see a show called ‘Monsters of the Deep’, which was good for kids but not really my cup of tea. We wandered upstairs and I noticed an exhibition of photos. “Ah, this is more my sort of thing,” I thought, and started looking at the pictures. Hey…wow! What fantastic photos! Beautifully composed and perfectly lit, they really conveyed the skill and craftsmanship of the boatbuilders. Very impressive, what a great project.
Something else that really impressed me about your exhibition was the sharpness of the prints. Stunning.
Keep up the great work!
Best wishes,
Chris (Cornwall)
