The Life of Riley's

AN EPOCHAL SESSION AT A SAVAGE SLAB

- CONOR MAGUIRE

Surfers wish to find uncrowded perfection, preferably in a beautiful location, to share with their friends. I'm sure the discovery of 'Riley's' was far beyond Mickey Smith's wildest fantasies. Stumbling across this perfect playground as a bodyboarder must've been spellbinding. Stumbling across it as a photographer must've been borderline overwhelming. Mickey being well established in both art forms meant the imagery that flowed from his perspective and into the surf media was like nothing anyone had ever seen from Irish shores. Emerald green, backlit beauty's frozen in a crystalline form through photos, only made more breathtaking by an ominous, black cliff left sitting in darkness.

Mickey's incredible ability in heavy salt derived from years of charging waves on a boog. I can't speak for Mickey but one would assume this was a contributing factor to the mind-bending images and unique angles only one who was comfortable in uncomfortable situations could capture. I'm not sure if Mikey aspired to inspire. It feels as though he did it all in the moment and for love. Regardless, his timeless approach of capturing water and surfers influenced a generation, and probably many more to come.