Falcarragh Photographer to host NYC exhibition

James O’Donnell is a photographer from Falcarragh who takes stunning images of the Donegal landscape with his two dogs Iggy and Frida

In 2020, he got his big break when famous photographer Elliott Erwitt who had worked previously with Marlyn Monroe invited him to New York. Unfortunately Covid happened and he didn’t get over. Eventually James got over in 2021. 

Last year Elliott passed away aged 95. His daughter Ellen has organised an event in his memory in the International Centre of Photography where James has been invited to.

This event will have all the top photographers in the world. When James got the invite he was extremely shocked and proud.

While he is in America he has got in contact with Sheila McDonagh who was originally from Donegal, she now owns Malones Irish Bar and Grill on 692, 3rd Avenue, Manhattan. They have agreed to host an exhibition of his work on October 5 and 6 from 12-4pm.

James is now trying to organise himself as he heads to Milwaukee for the Irish Festival which is his main overseas gig. 

When James is in Milwaukee his booth will be beside author Malcolm McDowel-Woods who grew up in America but has a connection to Derry. He wrote a book called “What The Tide Leaves Behind: A Novel Of County Donegal” which he credits James and Iggy as his inspirations. The book is available on Amazon and some local bookstores might order it in.

With these two trips it’ll mean he will have three state side trips this year. He was invited to Florida in January for the Florida Quay’s Island Festival which took place in March. Unfortunately when he arrived in Florida there was a tornado warning and he lost out in showcasing his work.

As he is an solo entrepreneur he created a gofund me to help raise money for the trip to New York. Within hours he reached his goals and the link has now been taken down. He would like to thank everyone who donated.

His dogs Iggy and Frida are extremely popular worldwide with his average content reaching between 500,000 and one million people per month. His sales are also reaching far and wide as he has sold to nearly every continent as well as having customers in the Arctic Circle and Antarctica.

“Silkie Irish Whiskey was my title sponsor for four years but it ended amicably last week. I’d like to thank them for being great sponsors of Iggy, Frida and myself.”

“My new title sponsor is The Shamrock Lodge, Falcarragh. Myself, Iggy and Frida look forward to working with them.” James told Donegallive exclusively.

The bar actually won the Highland Radio pub of the year in 2023.

If you are interested in checking out James’s work, you can click here