Thíos & Thuas : Above & Below
Thíos & Thuas
Aoibheann Gillespie-Mules & Karl Harold
Gach 3 – 4 bliana, is maith leis an Gailearaí teagmháil a dhéanamh le cleachtóirí neamhghairmiúla agus an deis a thairiscint dóibh a gcuid oibre a thaispeáint i ngailearaí poiblí proifisiúnta. An uair seo tá beirt ghrianghrafadóir á gcur chun cinn againn a bhfuil a gcuid oibre ag baint le Dún na nGall. B’fhéidir gur tháinig cuid agaibh trasna ar Karl Harold ar Facebook cheana féin, áit a bhfuil lucht leanúna láidir aige, agus beidh cuid eile agaibh tar éis teacht ar Aoibheann Gillespie-Mules, grianghrafadóireacht faoi uisce, ag baint úsáide as ár gcósta réigiúnach, tá sí ar na meáin shóisialta fosta. Guíonn An Gailearaí gach rath ar an bheirt acu ina gcuid iarrachtaí cruthaitheacha amach anseo.
Karl Harold
“Is as Baile Átha Cliath ó dhúchas mé, ach tá mé lonnaithe i nDún na nGall anois le breis agus ceithre bliana is fiche agus tá mé ag glacadh grianghraf ó bhí thart ar 2010. Tá mé an-tarraingthe ag áilleacht chiúin tírdhreacha tuaithe ár gcontae, na cúlbhoithre, agus breathnóireacht ar imeacht ama. Is minic a bhaineann mo chuid saothar le téamaí uaignis, cuimhne, agus ceangal le háit - ag gabháil an tsolais nach bhfuil ann ach tamall gearr, na coirnéil a bhfuil dearmad déanta dóibh, agus fiú uigeacht mhothúchánach na talún. Tá cur chuige pearsanta agam i leith na grianghrafadóireachta agus tá súil agam go léiríonn mo chuid íomhánna ní hamháin an rud a fheictear, ach chomh tábhachtach céanna domsa, an rud atá le mothú. Is é mo rún go dtabharfaidh gach íomhá cuireadh don lucht féachana sos a ghlacadh, amharc níos géire, agus b'fhéidir cuimhneamh ar chuid dá scéal féin.”
Aoibheann Gillespie-Mules
“Tógtha cois chósta thiar thuaidh na hÉireann, bhí meallta ag an bhfarraige i gcónaí agus na hiontais a bheadh i bhfolach aicí. I ndiaidh dom Eolaíocht Mhara a staidéar in OÉ Gaillimh agus obair a dhéanamh ar thionscadail chaomhnaithe thar lear, chaith mé chór a bheith deich mbliana mar theagascóir scubadóireachta agus mar chaomhnóir mara in áiteanna i bhfad i gcéin cosúil le Mósaimbíc, Bali, an Téalainn agus na hOileáin Fhilipíneacha. Anois, agus mé ar ais abhaile i nDún na nGall, tá mé paiseanta faoi dhul i mbun taiscéalaíochta in uiscí na hÉireann agus a n-áilleacht a roinnt trí oideachas comhshaoil agus feasacht phobail.
“Cibé áit ar thug mé fúm, b’í an áthas is mó a bheadh agam i gcónaí an saol faoi uisce a roinnt – ag múineadh, ag treorú agus ag spreagadh daoine eile lena áilleacht agus a leochaileacht a fheiceáil, agus cad é an dóigh is féidir linn é a chosaint níos fearr. Trí mo ghrianghrafadóireacht, a dhéantar le cúram agus le meas ar an saol mara ar fad – a glacadh le ceamara simplí Olympus TG6 – tá súil agam daoine a thabhairt níos cóngaraí do dhraíocht an tsaoil faoi dhromchla na farraige. Is é mo chuspóir ná fiosracht, grá agus mothú freagrachta a mhúscailt i leith na n-éiceachóras mara eisceachtúil a cheanglaíonn muid uilig le chéile. Tá mé thar a bheith sásta na híomhánna seo den domhain faoin uisce ónár gcósta féin a roinnt libh”
Above & Below
Aoibheann Gillespie-Mules & Karl Harrold
Every 3 – 4 years, An Gailearaí likes to reach out to non-professional practitioners and offer them access to exhibit in a professional public gallery. This time around we are promoting two photographers both of whom make their work from around Donegal. Some of you may have already come across Karl Harold on Facebook, where he has a strong following, whilst others of you will have encountered Aoibheann Gillespie-Mules underwater photography from our regional coastline also on social media. An Gailearaí wishes both photographers well in their future creative endeavours.
Karl Harold
“I am originally from Dublin, but I have been based in Donegal now for over twenty-four years and I have been taking photographs since about 2010. I am particularly drawn to the quiet beauty of our county’s rural landscapes, the back roads, and observing the passing of time. My work often explores themes of solitude, memory, and connection to place - capturing the fleeting light, the many forgotten corners, and even the emotional texture of the land. I have a deeply personal approach to photography and I hope that my images reflect not just what is seen, but just as importantly to me, what is felt. It is my intention that each image invites the viewer to pause, look closer, and perhaps remember something of their own story.”
Aoibheann Gillespie-Mules
“Raised along the northwest coast of Ireland, I have always been drawn to the sea and its hidden wonders. After studying Marine Science at NUI Galway and working on conservation projects abroad, I spent nearly a decade as a scuba diving instructor and marine conservationist in locations as far afield as Mozambique, Bali, Thailand and the Philippines. Now back home in Donegal, I’m passionate about exploring Irish waters and sharing their beauty through environmental education and outreach.
“Wherever I’ve been, my greatest joy has been sharing the underwater world—teaching, guiding, and inspiring others to see its beauty and fragility, and how we can better protect it. Through my photography, taken with care and respect for marine life - captured with a simple Olympus TG6 - I hope to bring people closer to the magic beneath the surface. My aim is to spark curiosity, love, and a sense of responsibility for the extraordinary marine ecosystems that connect us all. I am thrilled to be able to share these underwater images from our very own coastline.”