Bob Rock Photo Exhibition: a tribute to 35 years behind the lens

The Bob Rock Photo Exhibition presents a new collection of archive photography from well-loved Youghal photographer Bob Rock, building on the success of 2024’s Bob Bickerdike exhibition and increasing the archive of local heritage materials available for public viewing. Bob Rock passed away in 2021, having spent 35 years as a professional photographer during which he brought his talents to an enormous number of social and community events.

The exhibition presents images selected by curator Kieran McCarthy and the Rock family. Bob Rock studied masters of his craft, including American Ansell Adams, and joined the Photographic Society of Ireland, with submissions to international salons earning him medals and plaudits.

The launch event presents a slideshow of images and discussion, with an exhibition in Cumann na Daoine which runs until Culture Night (19thSept). It further stimulates engagement in local heritage initiatives in Youghal and enables audience reflection of their own memories of the town and its people, shared through remembered faces and places, with public encouraged to comment in visitors’ book.

This opportunity to see a new collection of Bob Rock’s work will be welcomed by many, both those who know his work and those to whom this will open a new world of local history.