BY: THE PLAID ZEBRA
Omey Island is a tidal island located on the western edge of Connemara, in County Galway, Ireland. The island is almost hidden from the mainland although it is possible to drive or walk to.
In the mid nineteenth century the population stood at 400 residents. Today there is only one. Pascal Whelan is the last man standing.
Whelan was hitchhiking from Clifden back to Claddaghduff when Irish-born photographer Kevin Griffin stopped and offered him a ride. Friendship was quick to blossom.
Whelan was a former stuntman. He traveled the world appearing in movies and performing in live shows. It was at one of these live shows that a member from his stunt team lost his life, which effectively ended Whelan’s career.
Whelan decided to return to his childhood home in Omey where he is the only resident.
Shot over a period of five years, Griffin’s images share the everyday life of a humble man. Though he no longer photographs Whelan, Griffin still returns to the island weekly to visit his friend.
Sources: kevingriffinphoto.com
