2K
ou may not be able to spot him initially, but that’s Brian Keeley in the pic above…
Taken on one of those rare occasions when we would also rise at the crack of dawn, hoping to learn from the master just how you should capture a Greystones sunrise…
And each time, for Brian, it was always a case of, who knows, this one may even be better than yesterday’s. It may even be the best one yet.
In truth, every time Brian Keeley sent us shots from his travels around Greystones, each one would hit us like it might just be the best one yet. And that’s because Brian, often sitting patiently in his car, was happy to wait, and wait – and wait – for that light to be just so.
Here was a photographer who was deep into his passion long before the likes of Photoshop gave just about everyone the ability to turn copper into gold. For Brian, it was all about the clear, clean and untouched shot. Nature as nature intended.
And now the man has gone.
In the last hour, his grandson, Cian, got in touch to break the bad news.
It was only three days ago when we were in touch with the man himself, wishing him well, and a full recovery from his latest hospital visit. The visits themselves had become more frequent – a stay in Loughlinstown in May revealed Brian had added pneumonia to his ailments – but the man’s spirit was always positive.
“I’ll be back out with my camera soon enough,” he told us then. “Just need a little more rest, and maybe a sup of something strong, and away we go…”
By July, the man was explaining why he was still “missing in action” after another serious setback resulted in a 2-week stay in Vincent’s Hospital. “I was discharged yesterday, on a temporary basis, waiting for test results,” he said, exactly one month ago today. “I will be out of action for some weeks to come – that is, if I ever see action again…
“Fingers crossed…”
Thinking of his lovely wife, Terry, at this time, as well as their three children, Brian, Deirdre and Colm, their grandchildren – Cian, Katie, Sarah, James, Ciara and Sophie – daughter-in-laws Yvonne and Clare, son-in-law Tommy, sisters-in-law Celine and Pauline, and Brian’s extended family and friends.
A ridiculously humble man, given his obvious talent, the incredible photographs featured here means Brian Keeley will shine on in Greystones forever and a day…
3 comments
FROM Anne Prior…
Rest in peace Brian. I will miss your beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing them over the years. Anne
Deirdre, so sorry to hear of the passing of Brian. Brian was a good friend when living in Fermoy.
May Brian Rest in Peace
Just some of the loving messages posted on our social media for Brian…
Thelma Kehoe I felt like I knew him, never met the man. He communicated through his photos RIP
Rosa Murray Aw no, so sad for his family, he gave us all so much through his beautiful photos. RIP Brian
Caroline Burke I’m so very sorry to read this. Sending love to his family and friends
Angela Chambers It was a privilege to have known & loved this absolute gentleman. His humour and positivity were uplifting. May he rest in peace.
Leah Duffy Absolutely beautiful photographs, could look at them all day. Amazing talent, rip Brian
Anne Bollard Very sad news RIP Brain thoughts and prayers with his family fantastic photographer .
Yvonne McDonnell Very sad, loved his pictures. May he Rest In Peace.
Roderick Carlyle Brian Keeley did for Greystones what Ansel Adams did for Yellowstone, RIP.
Teresa Carr RIP to an awesome photographer. I loved seeing his photos on The Guide
Steven Duggan Beauty is the finest of legacies. To leave behind a thing of beauty is to validate a life, and to enrich the lives of others.
Una Armstrong So sad. RIP Mr Keeley. I always looked forward to seeing his photos on this site. My condolences to the family.
Gillian Fox Will miss his brilliant photography
Hazel Williams Oh No!!!! Very sorry to hear this. A very talented gentleman.
He made my day with his amazing, stunning and beautiful pics.
May he Rest In Peace.
Susan Brambell Ah I’m so sorry. His photos were always ones I looked forward to seeing and I’d go back to them often in the GG gallery. A talented photographer for sure. Condolences to his family.
Anne Carty Gallagher Loved his photos. RIP.
Emma Conroy Sad news. He had amazing talent for capturing the beauty around him
Hélène Katrina RIP Brian. Thank you for all the wonderful photographs.
Noeleen Graves So sad to hear this very very sad news,always looked forward to his amazing photos RIP Brian.
Siobhan Byrne Incredible talent. May he rest in peace.
Ray Smith Brian truly made Greystones his home.Fantastic photographer.He will be missed around the harbour and the sea front waiting to get a great shot.Rest in peace Brian.
Marcella Finnegan Fabulous photographer. RIP.
Michelle Doyle So sorry 2 hear this news. He worked with my uncle jack in Guinness a long time ago. A true gentleman. Amazing photos. May he rest in peace
Patte Anderson A true artist…mesmerizing photos. Condolences to all that knew and loved him.
Albert O’Donnell I often met Brian down at the sea front for sunrise ,he was always very chatty and friendly and we shared a love of sunrise photography ,very said to hear of his passing ,a true gentleman, rip
Caroline Lawerence Fantastic fàbalous photo s rest in peace
Ailbhe Kelly Thanks for the beautiful photographs Brian! RIP
Janet Farrelly So sad to read this . A true gentleman . R.I.P. Brian Thinking of all the family at this sad time
Ann-Marie Greene Oh such very sad news Rip Brian thinking of all your family and friends at this very sad time
Jennifer Tennant Walsh So very sorry to hear this sad news. Loved his photos. He’ll be sorely missed. RIP Brian. Deepest condolences to his family.
Tracey Byrne A fantastic photographer will be missed RIP
Janin Mac Gabhann So sorry. Such a lovely man. Loved his photos.
Michelle Brice Oh so sad to see this..R.I.P. Brian… Thanks for sharing all the beauty in your stunning photos
Roisin Hickey Rip Brian , thoughts and prayers to all the family xx
Noeleen Carstairs Ah what a gent loved taking to him about his photos RIP
Jennifer Whitmore Very sorry to hear this, loved seeing his amazing photos, may he Rest in Peace.
Andrina Wafer Ar dheis lamh De. To make the extraordinary visible in our ordinary is an attitude of being, a choice, a decision and ultimately a very generous act of giving. Condolences to his family.
Eimear Caffrey RIP A wonderful photographer.
Meghan Ryder RIP, he captured such beautiful moments in his photos
Mary Harris Loved his photos . Rest in peace
Marc Diamond Very sorry to hear this. He was a true gent and we’d often chat in the early hours about the virtues of the sunrise we just witnessed…or the clouds that hid it. Me from the beach and him from his car. His photos will remain as a lasting legacy of a man with a true appreciation of the world and light around him. Rest in peace, Brian, and I hope the views are good from wherever you are. ☺️
Liz Cusack So sorry to hear this very sad news. Rest in peace Brian
Teresa Scales RIP, Condolences to family and friends, Thank you for the most amazing photos ❤️
Phil McDarby So so sorry to hear this Paul. He was a gentleman and a lovely, funny guy. RIP Brian.
Delgany Community Council Very sad news, a wonderful photographer. RIP Brian
Claire O’Neill Thanks for the photos … Rest in Peace
Tara Crawford So sad to read this. Rest in Peace Brian…and thank you!
Linda Byrne So sad do hear about brain rip what a talent so sorry for his family x
Ollie Campion So sorry for your loss Deirdre & family, he was a lovely man & good friend to my mam & dad, they adored him.
Siobhan Tinkler Sorry to hear this. His photos were stunning. RIP. Condolences to all his family and loved ones.
Tríona Reid Driscoll So sorry to read this. RIP x
Jody Connaughton Such a lovely man. Delighted to have known him as a friend and neighbour. He will be missed. RIP Brian.
John Mc Gowan RIP Brian, condolences to his family. His photos gave great joy to many and his memory will live on. Rest in peace friend.