Photos by Pat Shortall
The Kilkenny Observer attended the opening night of The Ross Costigan Photographic exhibition at The Watergate Theatre as part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival programme.
Ross, who died in 2017, left behind a rich amount of work and credit must go to the organisers who selected over 20 photos that capture all that is good in the Arts world.
One of the organisers of the exhibition Thomas O’Donohue spoke to The Observer and expressed his delight to see the exhibition come to fruition.
Thomas continued: “Ross was a super talented director actor and of course photographer and his work on display at the Watergate personifies all that was great about him”
One of the founders of Devious Theatre, Ken McGuire told this paper that “it was obvious, very quickly, that Ross Costigan was something special. It was a delight to witness his energy, his enthusiasm and his committent to the arts. His dedication to the stage was all encompassing and he embraced it with every fibre of his being.”
Those present on the night included people from local radio, Cartoon Saloon, Dreamstuff theatre, Watergate productions, Young Irish Film Makers and Kilkenny Arts Festival. Mike Kelly who founded Young Irish Film Makers and Dreamstuff Theatre, remembered Ross with wonderful affection and described him as a talented young man with a beautiful soul.
Also present were members of Ross’s family including his mother Jean and Husband Damien.
Jean told the Observer that it was a very special night to see the photographs exhibited at The Watergate. Speaking on the night, Mayor Andrew McGuinness said that Ross’s untimely death was a devastating blow to the theatre fraternity and to the wider Kilkenny community. “Most affected, obviously, were his loving family and his many close friends, but the truth is that Ross will never be forgotten and we will continue to honour his wonderful and adventurous life”, continued Kilkenny’s first citizen. Orla Barry from Kilkenny Arts festival said the festival was delighted to host the exhibition
“Ross was a photographer and artist who framed Kilkenny life and beyond through his own lens. He shot some iconic photos for the festival and created an amazing archive of Kilkenny life over the last two decades”, said the festival CEO.
A spokesperson for the Watergate reported a large volume of people visited the exhibition during the festival.
Ross Costigan (1981 -2017) was a photographer and artist who framed Kilkenny life and beyond through his lens. Curated by the Arts festival, family and friends a collection of his photographs were exhibited that captures Costigans perspective on Kilkenny
