PAINTING WITH LIGHT FILLS ANTHONY’S BOOK WITH COLOUR
ANTHONY Murphy wouldn’t have been the first journalist to be a frustrated author, but unlike some, he has published five books in the past eight years.
He is the author of five books, including the acclaimed Island of the Setting Sun: In Search of Ireland’s Ancient Astronomers (with Richard Moore), Newgrange: Monument to Immortality and Mythical Ireland: New Light on the Ancient Past. His works of fiction are a novella called Land of the Ever-Living Ones and a short novel called The Cry of the Sebac.
‘I was working in the Drogheda Independent, when the local artist Richard Moore walked into the office and said he would like to collaborate on a project with me,’ explains Anthony.
‘He had told Caroline Kavanagh he wanted to do this big sculptural project to do with standing stones, and alignments with the stars. He didn’t know anything about astronomy and she said I knew a lot! And the rest is history.’
Richard showed Anthony a drawing of one of the megalithic art works at Knowth and wanted to know if it could be a constellation, and basically that set them off!
‘We formed a deep and lasting relationship, as he knew the myths and legends of the Boyne and I didn’t, and I knew the astronomy and he didn’t. We worked well as a team, often talking on the phone well into the morning, and enjoyed it so much.’
What emerged was the first of his books about the ancient valley Island of the Setting Sun: In Search of Ireland’s Ancient Astronomers (with Richard Moore), with Richard’s paintings being used as double page spreads.
But in later books, Anthony’s love of photography began to yield results good enough to use.
‘I didn’t really get good at it, until 10 years ago, and until digital cameras came along, when you could see the image immediately and correct it,’ says Anthony, stressing he never uses filters on his shots.
‘Richard and I were painting with light for years, and we would head out at dusk and light up the tombs with torches and candles to create these special images.’
He says that 90% of photography is about patience and timing. ‘I bring a camera out at twilight, and just wait and wait for the perfect moment,’ he explains.
‘It’s not rocket science. Instead of being in watching TV in the evening, I’m out in nature, and I find it very therapeutic.’
As well as featuring on Instagram, Flickr and Twitter, his images have also been used in his books, most notably in the full-colour non-fiction books ‘Island of the Setting Sun’ and ‘Newgrange: Monument to Immortality’.All of Anthony’s books and photographs are available to buy on www.mythicalireland. com and on his Facebook page.