Photographer's eye for Kildare raises funds for charity
A sunset at Murphy’s Lock, Ballyteague captured by Daniel O'Neill
AN award-winning amateur photographer from Prosperous who has been quietly helping Kildare charities over the last five years with his very own charity calendar, last week presented a cheque for over €1,100 to Barretstown Kids Camp.
Daniel O’Neill (66) is a former Intel employee who retired last year, and got into photography just five years ago, “and during Covid I really got into it”.
“I’m living my best life with my camera in my hand, I’m passionate about Kildare, and it’s a lovely county we have here,” said Daniel, who is from Coolree, just outside the town.
Daniel specialises in unique takes on his beloved county, which he collates and sells annually in aid of a local charity.
“We did Little Way Cancer Support in Clane the first two years, the Vincent de Paul, the Curragh Hospice and now Barretstown,” he said.
To date he has won awards from the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Into Kildare, the Farmers’ Journal, as well as getting his work regularly featured on both RTS and VM3.
“I also have stands at craft markets around Kildare in the run-up to Christmas, and I do a lot of work for Kildare GAA, I do a lot of their senior matches,” he said.
For his calendars Daniel has a different, season-appropriate vista of Kildare for each month of the year – but with a little bonus.
“I do 13 actually, and always include the January from the following year,” he revealed.
“Local shops are very supportive, like Barker and Jones in Naas, the Johnstown Garden Centre in Naas, and TJ O’Mahony in Prosperous.
“I have about 12 shops in all looking for them every year, and my calendars are regularly sent out to the diaspora.
“Indeed, I’m told that this year one of my calendars is hanging on a wall in Greenland!” he chuckled.
“My pictures are generally about North Kildare, oh, and of course, horses feature prominently.
“I mean, for this month there would be foal perhaps, autumn colours for September and a nice wintery scene for December.
“They’re only €10 each, and every sale helps, so let’s celebrate our amazing county”.
