The O’Brien Press

Eric Luke has captured the essence of Irish life over the past forty years, with stunning and thought-provoking images of the people of Ireland for the Irish Press and Irish Times. Whether the subject is a film star or a gaelic football player, a fisherman or an elicit poteen distiller, Luke's talent is in showing a person as they really are.

This collection offers a fascinating insight into day-to-day lifestyle, as well as the cultural and political events, of these years in a country undergoing rapid change. A celebration of the people of Ireland: rural and urban, young and old, famous and unknown.

Born in Dalkey, south County Dublin, Eric Luke has always had a passion for photography. He joined the Irish Press Group as a staff photographer in 1973, following a brief stint working in the darkrooms as a photographic printer. Seventeen years later, in 1990, he moved to the Irish Times, covering major news and feature stories both at home and abroad, including two World Cups, five Olympic Games, and assignments in Somalia, Kenya, India, Sydney, Washington and London. However, his main focus lies at home in Ireland, adding to his personal collection of photographs, documenting the many changes in the Irish people and countryside. Eric has won numerous awards, including the World Press Photo News Award and PPAI Photographer of the Year, over a forty-year career in photojournalism.

A wonderful book from O’Brien Press

RTE’s Sean O’Rourke

rich collection … capturing moments in time in that way only an old photograph can

Irish Independent

a nostalgia fest … an ideal present for any photography fan

Tuam Herald

evocative … will bring you back through the decades

Galway City Tribune

the everyday and the extraordinary mix in a fantastic coffee table book

Woman’s Way Magazine

evocative … will bring you back through the decades

Connacht Tribune

a beautiful collection to grace any #Irish household

RTE’s John Creedon

a considered collection … glorious … a celebration of Ireland at work and play … a treasure trove

Irish Times Weekend Magazine

this book is a sublime piece of social history. Give it to everyone for Christmas. I'll be doing that

Rosita Boland, Irish Times