Saturday pics of the week

Pics 1 and 2 are by John Patton (phototilly.eu)

Pic 1 

Pic 2

“Given the week that has been in it, I offer these two portraits of Martin. Pic 1. was taken as he opened Fleadh Cheoil na h-Eireann in Derry in August 2013, an incomparable time of joyful , cultural celebration across the community. Much of the success down to his work in negotiating the staging of the festival in the City.

Pic 2 was taken more recently, just over a year ago when I interviewed him for a project where work is still in progress. It was a dreech Saturday and he had spent most of the day in talks as there were some difficulties yet again in the Stormont Executive. However, he had agreed to meet and his word was his bond , as has repeatedly been said over the last few days.

I first met Martin and Brenda at an INTO conference in Waterford about seventeen years ago. He was Minister of Education in the North and I was President of the Educational Institute of Scotland. His intelligent listening skills and probing questions were evident. This was a man , keen to change the trajectory of education for the good of pupils and communities, was my firm impression. Our Scottish system of comprehensive education was of great interest to him.

Go raibh maithiúnas De ar a anam dílis

Pic 3

Pic 4

 Pic 5

“STREET   FURNITURE     by   Perkin Warbeck

Pic 3:     Sofa.

Pic 4:   So goodish.

Pic 5:   A Foam from Foam for the Foamless.

(‘CÉAD MÍLE MALTA’ by Perkin Warbeck).”