House for Fashion Shoot

Sometimes, rustic and overgrown can be pleasing. Pleasing when a photographer is looking for a wild location to shoot some very glamorous ladies. Raheengraney House was the wild location for a full day’s fashion photography this month with Dermot Byrne, the IPPA Fashion Photographer 2011. Dermot, a cheeky Dublin chappie with a wry sense of humour, has also photographed such lovely ladies as Georgia Salpa and is not shy of tackling glamour and fashion.

The shoot was to take advantage of the overgrown gardens and general air of disarray and neglect that sadly characterizes Raheengraney in its unloved state, or rather its unlived-in state. It is still loved by its owner and the day was poignant for Jillian as the very neglect made for great photographs.

The reason? Well, the Wexford Camogie Intermediate and Senior women’s teams won the All Ireland final – for the second time this year. A great double whammy and so local business man, Patrick Doyle of Tom DoyleSupplies in Camolin decided to support the girls, celebrate their win, dress them up to the nines and raise much needed funds for the teams.

The result are striking images of the Wexford camogie team in glamorous outfits and high heels that are now being published in a fashion calendar, The Model County 2012, to help the teams raise funds for their club.

The challenge was for Dermot to be the author of these art-house pictures, showing the double All-Ireland champions looking as stylish as professional models – without a hurl in sight.

For the photoshoot, the girls were treated to professional make up by Kilkenny make up artist Yvonne Maher, hair by Martina Higgins of Unique Hair Design in Shillelagh and styled by Peig Donegan of Tresor boutique at Rathwood. “It was a chance for them to shine but in a different way to what they are used to, to glam up and they looked sensational,” says Peig.

The calendar can be purchased at Gala shops around County Wexford, Tom Doyle Supplies in Camolin and Rathwood and online at www.tomdoylesupplies.com

5 Irish beaches in the movies

Inch Strand, Co. Kerry

Since the 1930s, the Irish coast has attracted internationally acclaimed directors to shoot some famous movie scenes. Here’s our pick of 5 Irish stunning beaches that have made it to the film screens.

-Curracloe Strand, County Wexford

Curracloe strand posed as WWII Normandy for the epic opening D-Day scenes of Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning blockbuster ‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998).

-Inch Strand, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry

Recently visited by House Hunter Shane, Inch Strand was one of the film locations for 1970 classic Ryan’s Daughter, along with Coumeenoole Strand. Inch Strand had already tasted some movie fame, since it had also featured in 1963’s comedy Playboy of the Western World.

- Inis Mór, Aran Islands, County Galway

The Aran Islands were selected by pioneer documentary film maker Robert J. Flaherty not just as the location but the inspiration and central topic of his 1934 fictional documentary Man of Aran. The film (which was more docu-fiction than strict documentary) was shot in Inis Mór and recreated the daily struggles of the islanders.

-Brittas Bay, County Wicklow

Brittas Bay, just north of Arklow, is a popular holiday spot for Dubliners but it was famously used for the filming The Count of Monte Cristo. The movie, released in 2002, also featured other County Wicklow beaches: Silver Strand and Blainroe Beach.

-Tully Strand, Connemara, County Galway

While a great part of the movie was filmed in County Mayo, Tully Strand and Lettergesh Beach, in Connemara, were both chosen as film locations for Oscar-winning classic The Quiet Man. The 1952 film won John Ford and Academy Award for Best Director.

If you know about more Irish beaches in the movies, let us know!