After more than 46 years of loyal service, The Echo and Irish Examiner staff photographer Eddie O’Hare has officially retired from a profession that has provided him with much joy.
There was a gathering of colleagues and friends in the newspapers’ offices yesterday to celebrate Mr O’Hare’s long and distinguished career, and he was presented with a book of photographs chosen from the thousands of images he has taken over the years.
Iconic Cork press photographer Eddie O’Hare, who is retiring after 47 years with the Irish Examiner and The Echo, pictured during a celebration held in his honour at the newspapers’ offices in Blackpool, Cork.
In his speech to colleagues, Mr O’Hare reflected on a career that started in 1979 and discussed highlights from his many years of service.
These included many iconic moments in Cork and beyond, over his close to five decades on duty
Addressing the gathering, Mr O’Hare said he always strove to make the people he captured in his pictures the stars, be that across news, features or sport.
“It has been wonderful,” he said, reflecting on his career behind the lens.
Tribute
Visual media manager with The Echo and Irish Examiner, Jim Coughlan, paid tribute to the life and career of Mr O’Hare.
Jim Coughlan, visual media editor at The Irish Examiner and The Echo, pays tribute to Eddie O’Hare during a celebration of his remarkable 47-year career as a press photographer. Picture Chani Anderson.
“You delivered every single time,” he said.
“Most of those times you over-delivered. That was because of your dedication to the job and your professionalism, your willingness to be there any time of the day or night.”
The editor of The Echo, Gráinne McGuinness, also spoke in glowing terms about Mr O’Hare’s dedication to his craft.
Gráinne McGuinness, editor of The Echo, presents a bouquet of flowers to Eddie O’Hare at a celebration marking his retirement after 47 years as one of Cork’s most celebrated press photographers.
“You leave behind a catalogue of work built up over almost 50 years that is just absolutely phenomenal and will be enjoyed for many years to come,” she said.
“A real catalogue of life in Cork and of life beyond Cork, of moments big and small.
“For our readers, you have been part of people’s lives and cataloguing those moments.
“You have also been a phenomenal colleague and friend. I wish you all the best with your next chapter.”
Passion
Given that sports photography in particular was such a huge passion of Mr O’Hare, It was fitting that his last official day of work was in Croke Park last weekend, as the Cork hurlers booked their place in the All-Ireland final following victory over Dublin.
Among the many other big sporting events covered, he had the distinction of covering two FIFA World Cups in Italy in 1990 and at USA 1994, as Ireland was well and truly gripped by football fever.
Mr O’Hare described what made covering those tournaments special was not just the football matches themselves, but capturing the fans and the people.
Another personal highlight for Mr O’Hare was being on duty in Croke Park when his son Alan was part of the Cork All-Ireland Minor Football Championship winning side over Galway in 2019.
Unique take
Sports Editor with The Echo, John McHale, described Mr O’Hare as a brilliant photographer and also all-round person.
John McHale, sports editor of The Echo, shares stories and memories of his friend and colleague Eddie O’Hare during a celebration of Eddie’s retirement after 47 years documenting Cork sport and life.
“At The Echo we have our own unique take on the world and Eddie understood that,” he said.
“It was about local and it was about people.
“Your professionalism, your photography, and your personality. You are one of the best and one of a kind. We certainly won’t replace you, it is impossible.”
Eddie O’Hare leaves a lasting legacy in The Echo, Irish Examiner, and in Cork as a whole.
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