Excitement builds ahead of upcoming photography exhibition in Kilkenny

The Village Bar in Clogh, County Kilkenny, will play host to a unique photography exhibition this weekend, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the village’s past.

From Friday (October 4) to Sunday (October 6), visitors will be treated to the work of John Coffey, whose evocative photographs capture the characters and community spirit of Clogh between 1978 and 1988.

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Originally from Newbridge, John Coffey moved to Clogh in 1979 and quickly became part of the local fabric, his family running a pub and him documenting village life through his lens.

His photographs, many of which feature people now sadly passed on, present an intimate record of a different way of life.

To prepare, John has spent countless hours carefully scanning old negatives and restoring them to their former glory.

Unlike many modern photographers, John has chosen not to exhibit his work online.

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Instead, the exhibition is designed as an in-person experience, encouraging visitors to connect with the images in the village where many of them were originally captured.

Cllr John Brennan commended John Coffey and the team at The Village Bar (including Bríd Mooney Doyle and John Doyle) for making the event possible and helping bring the village’s history to life.

A trad band are scheduled play in the pub on Saturday evening, adding live music to the exhibition.

The three-day event is expected to draw strong local interest, with many eager to spot familiar faces in the photographs.

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