The Edge of Europe

Anthony Haughey’s series of colour photographs are an evocative portrayal of the complex relationship between the West of Ireland, its landscape and people, and Irelands Diaspora on the East Coast of America. The Western Edge of Europe is a changing world where politics, history and economic hardship have forged the foundations of deeply rooted communities and enriched them with a fluent aural and musical culture. Haughey’s focus on the Great Blasket Island and the depopulated landscapes of western Ireland explores links with the past and vestiges of Irish Culture, and he challenges the populist notion of an Irish cultural Disney Land. Ireland’s Diaspora, the largest single population movement of the 19th century, has created huge global network of people claiming to be of Irish origin. The United States has become a home to millions of Irish people, a symbol of hope and economic freedom to many, whilst retaining unbreakable family ties with their homeland. In the last US census, forty million people claimed Irish ancestry.

In an interview with Mark Durden (in PORTFOLIO, Issue 25), Anthony Haughey suggests, ‘The experience of many first generation Irish people is one of identity crisis – in between worlds or in limbo, neither existing fully integrated in the home country (Ireland) or host country (America).’

The catalogue of ‘The Edge of Europe’ with bilingual text includes an essay by Fintan O’Toole.

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Reviews:

Source, 1996

Invasioon, Saaremaa Biennaal, 1997

Portfolio, issue 25, June 1997

Creative Camera, issue 343, Dec/Jan 1997

Camera Austria, issue 65, 1999