By Dan Walsh at County Hall, Wexford
The Mayor of Wexford Cllr George Lawlor and the members of Wexford District Council last night honoured retiring press photographer Ger Hore at a Civic Reception held in the Council Chamber at County Hall, Carricklawn.
Mayor Lawlor said; “As a local press photographer and private photographer you have played a critical role in documenting the life of our community capturing images that told the story of local Wexford events, people and issues that shaped Wexford town and county.
“Your work is essential to journalism offering a visual narrative that complemented the written stories and provided an immediate impactful way for the people of Wexford to engage with news…and you have done that over 40 years!
“A primary role of the local press photographer is capture and communicate stories through images. Photography has a unique power to evoke emotion and distil complex issues in into easily digestible formats. While written articles provide context, depth and analysis a single photograph can tell a story instantly.
“These images help to create a visual record of our local history and ensure that important moments were preserved. In many cases your photography made a significant difference into whether a story got noticed or not.
“Beyond our local weekly news and over time your work will become an invaluable resource for future generations of historians and researchers, indeed, it has already started to do so.
“You as a local press photographer are essential to the fabric of journalism and playing a vital role in storytelling, community engagement and important historical documentation. Your work ensures that local news is accessible and visually engaging, often making the difference between the story being seen or ignored!
“I as Mayor of Wexford and my colleagues are honoured in paying tribute to you Ger because the role you have played over 40 years is immense,” concluded Cllr Lawlor.
Tributes were also paid by Ger’s colleague, Padraig Byrne of The People Newspapers who claimed that “Ger is the most famous man in Wexford. His work will stand the test of time and people will be looking at those photographs and getting joy out of the photographs. Apart from being an excellent photographer and top professional Ger is a top guy and an excellent guy and a great friend and I wish you, and Jackie, well in your future endeavours.”
The attendance included Cllrs Robbie Staples, Garry Laffan, Catherine Biddy Walsh, Leonard Kelly and Raymond Shannon, Deputy Brendan Howlin, fellow photographers and members of Mr Hore’s family. Anthony Baily, Wexford District Manager, acted as master of ceremonies.
Mayor Lawlor made a presentation to Ger Hore and all were invited to sign the distinguished visitors book. Ger responded with some stories from his 40 years as a press photographer and thanked the Mayor and the Council for the honour bestowed on him and his family on a proud night in his life.
Ger Hore worked with The Echo Newspaper 1985-2002 and with The People Newspapers from 2000 until taking retirement earlier this year. While his career as a pressman is over he and his wife, Jackie, will continue to trade as Ger Hore Photography.
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