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Amy Hoppock's avatar

I love this line. “What we come to in the pause is the more nuanced, specific story of that time and that place, and it is here where the collaboration can really commence”

I’m meeting a friend for coffee this morning, I’m planning to get there early. I’ll be spending that time with my imaginary camera. Thank you for this invitation!

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Clare Mulvany's avatar

Thank you Amy. Hope you have a lovely coffee with your friend, and you take some fabulous 'non-photos'!

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Ali Isaac's avatar

Hi Clare, and welcome to Substack. I remember having a similar feeling once at the Hill of Tara whilst watching groups of tourists being herded on and off buses, frogmarched around the site for an hour with information being shouted at them. They snapped photos and selfies, but generally just looked bewildered. There was no connection. And I've heard people talk about 'doing Ireland' in a week. Huh? Lived here over 20 years and still feel like I've only just scratched the surface. I've guided private groups around sites too, but we spend a minimum of half a day at a site, sitting, absorbing, wandering freely, storytelling. Today's lifestyle is all about hitting the ground running, at speed, the whole time. Thanks for showing us how simply we can start to change this in our lives. I love the camera on my phone, but I don't want to live my life through it. Thanks for being here. 💕

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Clare Mulvany's avatar

Hi Ali- thank you for your lovely note. Your approach to guiding people with a slow embrace, and storytelling at the centre, sounds like a wonderfully enriching experience, and so much more appropriate for the sites, and the guests themselves. It’s a more compassionate response all round, and I think offers the inward transformative dimension of ‘travel’ that so often lacks in the rush and run mass tourism which we see not only in Ireland, but in so many places around the world. Thank you for the work you do on this…

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Jacqui Matthews-Price's avatar

What a wonderful read, so refreshing and inspiring. Funnily enough, I have just treated myself to a Polaroid camera for just this reason... to make myself look, really, really look, and take my time. And then allow myself just one meaningful photo a week. Thank you, I will enjoy following your advice for framing my one very special shot

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Clare Mulvany's avatar

Oh fabulous. I love polaroid's; their colour tones and the time it take is develop.. that little waiting game as the image slowly emerges. One special shot a week... what a brilliant project. You are encouraging me to take out my old Polaroid, and get some film for it! Thank you Jacqui.

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Eva Boev 💫🐝🎵📚's avatar

The great description of looking and after a few days choosing, deciding what to take and what to receive. This reminds me Carver. And Tom’s Dinner by Suzanne Vega. And Hopper of course. A beloved painter for me. I’m wondering if my cafè will be my school. Thanks Clare.

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