The Lawless Years

Lawless by name…

s with most happy teenage years, for Nicola Lawless, the finer details surrounding these archive pics are a little blurry.

Finer details such as the month, or even year, that they were taken in, and in many cases, what the hell is going on…?

From her early years in The Karate Club to getting her teenage kicks in Greystones’ nightclubs, Nicola often remembered to bring her handy instamatic camera with her.

There were no iPhones, no handy filters to boost the tan, soften the edges or brighten the eyes. That was all left to the alcohol.

And given the sometimes fuzzy images here, we reckon even the camera was drinking on these nights out. Nights out at John Glynn’s 21st in The La Touche Hotel, Saturdays at The Beach House, stompin’ at The Woodlands and whatever-you’re-having-yourself.

“Back in the 1990s, there was always a buzz here in Greystones,” says Nicola. “There was always something going on at the weekend, with the pubs packed and queues to get into the nightclub later on.

“Now, it’s all Netflix and hiding away. When these lockdowns lift, here’s hoping we all get out there and have a drink together once again…”

Basil Lawless, Tommy Cardiff, Patsy Green & Phil Lawless

Colman Seavers & John G

Where’s Eilo?

Philip Stanley has one of his five-a-day

Padraig Houlihan tries some organic carpentry

Bod Hayden & Sandra Byrne: Before The Storm

Baton Twirlers: The Very Early Years

That stupid sea air gets a good punchin’!

Colman Seavers, Eileen & Greg O’Shea

Johnny Hayden turns it up to 11

Phil Lawless, Tommy Cardiff, Grace Kelly

You can check out – and download – the full gallery of Nicola’s archive shots right about here. This post originally appeared in February 2021.