'The images that anchor our reality'
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Chloe, Kaleigh, Anna and Sarah Crombie on Thursday evening.Image 2 of 8
Cllr Ken Glynn and Cllr Liam McDaniels at the exhibition opening.Image 3 of 8
Enda, Anna and Trudy Maguire from Ladestown.Image 4 of 8
Bridie Rowe with Brian McManus from Sportsfile.Image 5 of 8
Sean and Anne Crombie from Rahugh.Image 6 of 8
Grace Dignam (creative communities engagement officer) and Laura McCormack (acting arts officer).Image 7 of 8
James Crombie with David Branigan (president of Press Photographers ireland).Image 8 of 8
Mary Crotty (Press Photographers Ireland PRO) and Paul Sherwood (Press Photographers Ireland past president)."These are the images that anchor our reality," said David Branigan at the opening of the Press Photographers Ireland exhibition in Mullingar on Thursday evening.
Speaking before Mr Branigan, Cllr Liam McDaniel, cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, had welcomed the guests to the Atrium for the opening of the exhibition, which runs for the next two weeks.
The exhibition features 110 images capturing life at home and abroad during 2024 and showcasing the best of Irish press photography. Images featured include the AIB Press Photographer of the Year 2025, James Crombie from Rahugh, who also addressed the opening event on Thursday.
Cllr McDaniel said the council was "honoured to host the exhibition, and said it has particular significance here because the overall winner of the awards is a Westmeath man".
"The exhibition is wonderful, a credit to all the photographers and the way they can capture a scene in just one minute, and tell us a story."
In his remarks, Mr Branigan thanked the Westmeath Arts Office for hosting the exhibition and said its tour is of the country "is our way of getting the message out that photography is something that we see so much of, but the images you see here are that little bit extra special.
"In an age where we’re seeing so many images, and now so many fake images, all that you see here is absolutely accurate. We like to say that these are the images that anchor our reality. They are the pictures that tell the story of Ireland."
He introduced James Crombie, who thanked the council reiterated the point about the authenticity of the images on display. "In a time of so much fake news and fake imagery, you can trust that these images are genuine. Press photographers have a responsibility to capture what we see without manipulation, without interference, to have a representation of what’s going on in the country."