Legendary Mayo photographer is remembered at Dublin event
Henry Wills' nephew Keith Bourke, a reporter with the Western People, presents Tánaiste Micheál Martin with a copy of Henry's book, In All Kinds of Weather, at the 2024 Press Photographer of the Year Awards at the RDS in Dublin recently. Picture: Arthur Carron
The recently deceased photographer Henry Wills was remembered at the annual AIB Press Photographer of the Year awards ceremony, which was held in the RDS in Dublin on Friday, February 2nd.
An Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD was guest of honour at the event, the 46th annual awards of the Press Photographers' Association of Ireland (PPAI). Ballina native Henry was a member and former president of the PPAI, with current president David Branigan describing him as the "backbone" of the association, which represents press photographers across the island of Ireland. The 200-strong attendance watched a short tribute video to Henry, which was filmed in Ballina recently.
An Tánaiste said he had been taken aback to learn of Henry's passing on January 4th last. Mr Martin said he always enjoyed meeting Henry during his visits to Mayo and paid tribute to his talents as a photographer.
For many years, Henry played a leading role in organising the annual awards competition and was hugely regarded by members of the PPAI who travelled from all over the country for his funeral in Ballina last month.
Alan Betson, of , was named the AIB Press Photographer of the Year 2024.
