An iconic 1916 Centenary image and its maker 

The word ‘iconic’ is over-used these days but, on 24 April 2016, the exact centenary of the Easter Rising, a photograph was taken which has indeed become iconic in the true sense of the word.

It was taken at the national people’s commemoration organised by Reclaim the Vision of 1916; a portrait of the late Martin McGuinness by photographer Greg Matthews, who himself has also passed on since that most memorable day.

Greg Matthews retired in 2010 after years of distinguished service in Dublin Fire Brigade. He developed his natural flair and consuming interest in photography. In 2015, Greg won the award of Street Photographer of the Year for his striking and insightful images, especially of Dublin and its people. ‘Firecall’, official magazine of Dublin Fire, Ambulance and Emergency Services, takes up the story:

 “And then there’s the ability to react to your surroundings, to recognise the potential for a fantastic shot and to take it without missing the moment. One of those moments arrived at Greg’s feet (literally) in 2016, during one of the 1916 commemorative events in Dublin’s Merrion Square. Hearing a commotion behind him, Greg turned to see Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams in attendance, surrounded by crowds taking photos. 

“With Adams out of reach and McGuinness close by, Greg quickly dropped to his knees and pointed the camera towards the sky. When McGuinness passed away in January 2017, the resultant shot went viral – from a profile picture for Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald on Facebook to being blown up and displayed at McGuinness’ month’s mind in New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 

“I knew the shot I wanted to get when I saw him. If I had kept it at eye level, you would see hundreds of people behind him,” says Greg. “It’s obviously one of those photographs I’m proud of because it has become iconic. It’s a real moment in time photograph. That’s the way I think of it.”

It is poignant that Martin McGuinness died less than a year after this photo was taken and Greg himself died just over two years later in June 2018. It is appropriate that he should be remembered, not only by his family, friends and former colleagues in Dublin Fire Brigade, but by all who continue to enjoy the images he created.