Tributes paid after loss of life of former Irish Examiner photographer Kieran Clancy

He had battled with Parkinson’s illness for quite a few years and handed away surrounded by household at a nursing dwelling in Co Clare.

Mr Clancy loved a distinguished profession as a contract photojournalist after spending 20 years as a workers photographer with the Cork Examiner, later the Irish Examiner, based mostly in Limerick and overlaying information, sport, and leisure throughout the midwest.

He was a former President of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland (PPAI) and, in 2021, was awarded Honorary Membership of the affiliation in recognition of his “outstanding contribution” to press pictures in Ireland.

“He had a great eye for a photograph and the story being told in the image,” mentioned Mr Clancy’s former colleague and pal, Noel Gavin, previously Irish Daily Star, and the Press 22 photographic company.

“He was very competitive — we all were — but Kieran was stealthy, he would always get the best photo, the best angle, and he did it quietly.

“He was a great credit to his Dad, Seán, who was so long in the photograph business before him.” 

Legendary Limerick photographer Owen “Southie” South additionally paid tribute: “Kieran was a lovely man. He was a great photographer with the Examiner working in Limerick. His death is very sad.”

“He was a great colleague, a great guy, and he was meticulous with every job that he did — he always did it right.” 

Liam Burke, who labored alongside Mr Clancy for many years in Limerick, mentioned: “Kieran was a wonderful, award-winning photographer. He was a friend to everybody.”

Kieran Clancy’s late father, Seán, labored in Limerick as Midwest regional photojournalist for the Irish Independent, whereas his late brother, Kevin, was considered a pioneering press photographer and among the many first in Ireland to transition from movie to digital pictures.

“He was an inspirational photographer for a lot of us on the job. He was a pure gentleman, he had a great eye and he was so enthusiastic about the job — it’s very sad,” mentioned freelance photographer Brendan Gleeson.

Over his stellar profession, Kieran Clancy photographed presidents to paupers and everybody in between. After retiring from the press corps in 2016, he continued working in wedding ceremony and business pictures.

Recalling one in all many fond recollections of working alongside him, Noel Gavin mentioned: “I remember a really funny incident involving Kieran during an occasion when the former US President Gerald Ford stopped over at Shannon airport at some unearthly hour, and we were there taking photographs in the airport’s VIP room where they used to bring dignitaries.” 

“Kieran was trying to get a better angle on a shot, and there was a glass coffee table in the middle of the room and Kieran decided to sit on it to get a low shot, and the glass cracked to the exact sound of a gunshot.”

“President Ford visibly jumped in his chair and all his security guys thought someone was after shooting him — that could have been the end of Kieran then.” 

Funeral preparations will likely be introduced later.