'It just takes patience' says murmurations photographer
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James Crombie signing copies of his book, with Bridie Roe and Mary O’Grady.Image 2 of 8
Carmel and Alice O’Reilly and Gemma Crombie.Image 3 of 8
Maura Bríd Gallagher and Laura Drumm members of the Longford Westmeath Down Syndrome charity.Image 4 of 8
James Bourke, Robert and Johnny GeogheganImage 5 of 8
Deirdre Yeates, Ann Crombie, Carrie Curran and Stephanie Lynch at the launch of ‘Murmurations’.Image 6 of 8
Rosie Leavey and Aiden ConveryImage 7 of 8
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James Bourke Mullingar ChamberA spectacular new book featuring stunning photographs by award winning photographer James Crombie was officially launched at the Atrium at the Westmeath County Council buildings in Mullingar on Thursday, October 24.
A large crowd attended the launch of ‘Murmurations’ and an exhibition of 20 of Mr Crombie’s photographs, taken at Lough Ennell over the last four years.
John Fallon, who provided the literary content in the publication, revealed that James’s camera shoots 14 frames per second and the murmuration frame on which this book is based, lasted half a second – “a split second, a flashing moment of time, leaving a legacy which will last a lifetime and beyond”.
James told the audience that his book is the culmination of 300 nights spent taking photographs over four years. He stumbled upon “something magical” and “it is happening here on our doorstep”. “It just takes patience,” he said.
James declared that the project would not be at this stage but for Colin Hogg and then Enda Maguire, who joined him on his lakeside night vigils. He spoke of the friendship and great bond that developed between them and said, “they made me want to keep going”.
Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, congratulated Mr Crombie on “a beautiful piece of work”, coming after the challenges of recent years. He described the iconic murmuration shot as “uplifting”.
James Bourke, president of Mullingar Chamber, said the book encapsulates the waterways around the Lake County, and the chamber and Mullingar.ie “are delighted to be associated with it”. Robert Troy, TD, also congratulated James on his work.
Billy Stickland of Inpho Photography, where James works, said: “This is an excellent book with photographs by an excellent photographer, backed up by an excellent journalist, John Fallon, and Lilliput Press, who have put the whole thing together are a credit to what can be done.”
James has become one of the best-known photographers in the country, winner of the Press Photographer of the Year award two years in a row, and his iconic murmuration shot can be seen in many venues, Mr Stickland said.
In conclusion, James thanked all who had attended the launch and exhibition and all who had helped make them a reality. He thanked his wife Anne for her tolerance saying that “she’s left to shoulder it all” and “she’s amazing”, his daughters Hayley, Chloe, Anna and Sarah, his parents Anne and Sean, and his brothers David and Shane, for their help and support.
James thanked his seven-year-old daughter Sarah for allowing him to “use her birthday to launch my book”. A cake was produced and, as Sarah blew out her seven candles, the audience’s rendition of Happy Birthday resounded around the Atrium.
‘Murmurations’ is on sale at Just Books and online. The exhibition of the 20 stunning photographs will go from Mullingar to Dublin Castle in two weeks, and the photographs will then be sold, the proceeds going to Westmeath/Longford Down Syndrome, Offaly Down Syndrome, and North Westmeath Hospice.