Tony O’Shea
Born 1947 (Valentia Island, County Kerry)
Tony O’Shea was born in Valentia Island, County Kerry in 1947 and lived there for the first 20-years of his life. He studied English and Philosophy at University College Dublin and towards the end of the 1970s became increasingly interested in photography. By 1981 he had begun working full-time as a photographer with In Dublin magazine and once it ceased publication he went on to work for Sunday Business Post for many years. His first book Dubliners, including a text by Colm Tóibín was published by Macdonald Illustrated. He lives in Dublin with his wife Sarah, and their daughters Keelin and Siúin.1
Bio & Career
‘He seeks images of individual loneliness and isolation, figures in a state of reverie and contemplation, or figures in a state of excitement’ – Colm Tóibín. 2
Publications
Appears in
- 2015, Christmas Turkey Market, Dublin, 1990–1993. Southport: Café Royal.
- 2017, Italia 90: Dublin. Southport: Café Royal. Edition of 200 copies.
- 2017, Border Roads 1990–1994. Southport: Café Royal. Edition of 250 copies.
- 2017, Never Forget. Southport: Café Royal. Edition of 250 copies.
- 2018, Ways of the Cross. Southport: Café Royal. Edition of 250 copies.
- “The Light of Day” Gallery of Photography https://www.galleryofphotography.ie/the-light-of-day
- “Tony O Shea Retrospective” The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2020/oct/27/irish-communities-tony-o-shea-photographer-retrospective-colm-toibin-dublin#img-10
