2015 Press Releases

'Small Town Portraits' by Dennis Dinneen

16 Apr 2015
'Small Town Portraits' in the Boole library until June 27th

An exhibition of photographic portraits by the late Dennis Dinneen opens on the 16th April at 6pm and runs until 27th June in the Boole Library, UCC, Cork.

Dennis Dinneen was a publican and photographer making images in the town of Macroom, Co. Cork during the 1950's, 60's and 70's.  Either in his studio at the back of the bar or on location he covered topics ranging from weddings, communions and sporting events, to making portraits and passport photographs resulting in an archive of over 20,000 images, including many yet unseen.  The exhibition, 'Small Town Portraits' which will open in UCC Library on Thursday 16 April at 6pm focusses on portraits and ID images selected from the

6,000 photographs that have been scanned over the past 2 years by David J Moore and Dennis' son, Laurence.

Curator David J Moore describes these portraits as having  “an unusual informality that occasionally reveals an awkwardness between subject and camera.  The mix of off-kilter compositions, wallpapers, backdrops and small juxtapositions within the frame make for unique and often humorous moments. Though, many of these moments have not been seen publicly until now, as Dinneen cropped most portraits from the full negative for his clients. Looking retrospectively at these images un-cropped allows us to see the extent of Dinneen's unique vision and playfulness with photography. He was far more than just your average photographer providing a service. He had a wonderful eye mixed with talent, technique and fantastic wit.”

The exhibition is curated by David J Moore and has been made possible with the help of Crónán Ó Doibhlin at UCC Library, University College Cork.

The opening hours are the opening hours of the Library Main Building currently:  Mon-Fri 07.00-22.45, Sat 10.00-17.45, Sun 11.00-20.45. 

University College Cork

Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh

College Road, Cork T12 K8AF

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