John Finally Gets His Close-Up

John McGowan TUES7DEC22

here’s no question that the Guide would be a very different site if it wasn’t for John McGowan.

Ever since this community jigsaw began 12 years ago, the town’s #1 roving photographer has been putting the town into focus.

Whether it was a garden fete or local elections, the Christmas Lights or Ladies Night, John was always there, capturing the moment, the town and, most importantly of all, the people.

Over the past decade and beyond, if you stepped out for a Greystones shindig, chances are, your big happy head was lovingly snapped and papped by the McGowan lad.

“I always say thanks for the smile whenever I photograph people,” says John when we swung by his Crowe Abbey mansion with his award this afternoon. “I think we’re still a town that likes to celebrate where we live, and a big part of that is people coming together.

“Being able to make a record of these moments that will last forever, that’s really an honour…”

It’s also something that, it has to be noted, John does for free. Having scared us with a 2021 retirement that mercifully didn’t last, when John does hang up that camera, it will be the end of an era.

And it will certainly give GG pause for thought when it comes to this groovy 7-day-a-week grind.

In the meantime, big thanks to Danny and the EBS gang on Church Road for sponsoring this year’s love-in.

And Alan Rowlette, if you’re reading this, eh, we finally got around to printing and framing your Greystones Person of The Year 2018 award too. Hey, we’ve been busy – and we’ll be in touch…

For now, on behalf of the people of Greystones, we say, thank you, John, for always being there. And for always making us look good…

You can check out John McGowan’s work throughout the years here, and our previous Greystones Person Of The Year winners here.