The De Valera Library in Ennis has opened its doors to Faces of Our Community, a travelling photo exhibition presented by Clare Volunteer Centre in partnership with local supporters. The exhibition will remain on display until 3 October 2025 before beginning its journey across County Clare.
The opening evening drew a large audience and reflected the genuine interest this project has generated. Among those present were volunteers, representatives of community organisations, local partners and friends — all united by their commitment to shaping stronger and more inclusive communities in Clare.
Photograph by Eamon Ward
A celebration with social impact
Faces of Our Community is more than a series of portraits. It is a visual account of people who contribute daily to the fabric of society. Each image hints at the many more stories of service and care that shape Clare’s everyday life. While the exhibition features a limited number of individuals, it stands for a much wider network of volunteers whose involvement reaches into every corner of the county. From coastal towns to rural parishes, Clare’s volunteering spirit takes many forms — and the portraits capture this breadth.
Through the lens of community
The exhibition was shaped in collaboration with photographers Natasha Barton and Orlaith Martin, whose professionalism and instinct for portraiture give the project its strength. Their work does more than document faces; it brings a sense of presence and immediacy, turning individual portraits into stories that continue beyond the frame. By translating the aims of the exhibition into a visual language, they have enabled the public to see, through photography, what might otherwise have been conveyed only in words.
Building Clare’s future together
The exhibition shows that volunteering is not something extra added to daily life, but part of its structure. It is visible in the friendships it creates, the knowledge it passes on, and the sense of belonging it builds. In Clare, where cooperation has long shaped community identity, Faces of Our Community preserves that tradition while also pointing forward — a reminder that volunteering is both heritage and future.
Visit the exhibition
•Location: De Valera Library, Ennis
•Dates: 3 September – 3 October 2025
Following its Ennis debut, Faces of Our Community will journey across Clare’s towns and community venues. We invite you to follow Clare Volunteer Centre on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
