A long time ago, I was auditioning for the movie “The Doors” It was kind of a cattle call. They paired together potential Jims with potential Pamela‘s. And they were running behind so we were spilling out of the casting office, sitting on the porch, the lawn, and the driveway.
All of a sudden, a sixties convertible came screeching up, blaring Doors Music at top volume. And a guy jumped out and strode inside: He had wild hair and he was barefoot, shirtless, and wearing nothing but a pair of tight leather pants.
We all looked at each other like… Who is this guy? We were more than a little shook by the sheer audacity of his entrance. Well of course it was Val Kilmer and from that minute on, nobody else stood a chance.
Rip King.
It’s wonderful how our politicians are grappling with the calamitous world events that have unfolded, including Verona Murphy’s threat to democracy here and perhaps Europe. Well done.
Absolutely over the moon to have been named the AIB Press Photographer of the Year for 2025. Could not have done it without my amazing and beautiful wife Ann and our four daughters. Thanks to Billy and Inpho Photography. Thanks everyone for all the message since last night
Sunday morning and I draw the curtains. Jesus what a horrible sight ! Its grey dark and the sky looks to be on the ground. The scene mirrors the way I feel after yesterday evenings result in the football with The Dubs beating us in our own backyard by a point. I have to face them at Punchestown today, putting on a smiley face and let their banter roll off me. Oh the thoughts of it ! Problem is I’m used to it now sure they have us where they want us for the past decade and a half.
Pick up the phone check whats happening in the world, is Trump giving us a laugh today ?
Wallop ! Noooo ! Aw Holy God ! Like a heavy weight boxers punch into the stomach The IHRB let us know that Mikey has left us. Punchestown and The Point To Points called off. Be no trace of any Dubs today ! Oh how I’m wishing now that there was, that way wouldn’t Mikey still be with us.
Tramore New Years Day 47 nights ago. Mikey steers Embassy Gardens home to win the feature event on the card for trainer Willie Mullins. I photograph him and his mount in a happy kinda celebration shot on the track before they head for the winners enclosure. “Well done Mikey boy, good on you kid” “Thanks Pat, I needed that” the relief washing over him. “Mikey, this game is about the long road, stay on the road” I tell him. “Don’t worry Pat when I get my chance I will turn it into a motorway” he says and a big hearty laugh out of him !!
I know Mikey, not well but I know him. Sure we are both part of the same community. The racing community. We move from town to town like a circus. Same clowns different towns. As I get older I appreciate the younger generations. They make me smile and I learn from them. Little life lessons like new slang words, phone and computer shortcuts, that type of stuff. Sure they know it all !
Mikey is a step above the youngest generation I interact with. There is a group of 16-17 year olds riding. Mikey is 24. I love capturing their 1st success on the track and then watching them achieve their goals and dreams. Cheltenham is every jump jockey’s dream and in March 2023 we saw Mikey grab his dream twice in the one day. Glorious,Great and Gracious, Mikey stole the show in the biggest circus.If you hadn’t seen the results you wouldn’t have known it. His cap still fitted his head, his walk didn’t alter and his tongue didn’t let him down. Pure humble hi.
The last few days everything I have read and heard spoken about him is true. It makes me wish I knew him better. Makes me wish I spent time in his company socially. Makes me wish……
Mikey you are a credit to your family and friends.
May God speed you on that motorway and wrap his loving arms around you X
Absolutely delighted to have directed tonight's @Laochra_Gael documentary on @ursulajacob!
Brilliant to be able to continue the journey after first working together on @TheSundayGame ❤️
Míle buíochas to all who helped bring this to air ✨
Tune into @TG4TV tonight at 9:30! 🎬
Always remember my mother’s well-thumbed copy of ‘Country Girls’ in the 60s. A part of my childhood ever before I learned to read. The passing of an icon.
After an exhilarating 42 years I’ve decided to focus on the next chapter.25 years with @IrishTimes I’ve nothing but gratitude for the array of phenomenal experiences and fun.Thank you to all my photographer friends and colleagues who made my journey+time as picture editor easy.
Two Kerry fans can barely bring themselves to look as the Kingdom grind out a victory over Derry in the All-Ireland football championship quarter-final at Croke Park yesterday. Jack O’Connor’s team will now face Armagh in the semi-final.
Photograph: Ryan Byrne/ Inpho