SHOOT OUT AT THE SHELLY BANKS

TP was a keen and talented photographer but virtually the sole focus of his work was his children.  In this first shot we see sons (r.to l.) Stephen, Kilian and Ralph squaring up for a big shoot out at their beloved Shelly Banks.  The McKenna boys were addicts for the Western tv serials of the day and they'd never miss an epsiode of The Virginian or High Chaparal.  TP's composition is straight out of a Spaghetti Western and as for the intensity of those facial expressions,  these could only be the sons of an actor.

"And our house is this big!"

This enchanting shot has son Kilian letting everyone in the world know just how big and impressive the family's Sandymount home is.  Indeed,  there's a story told that one St.Patrick's Day when the family went into the city to see the annual parade,  Kilian became separated from the rest of the family.  After an anxious period he was reported to be in the care of the Guards at the  barracks in Sherriff Street.  Now, just out of shot to the right there was a whitewashed portico entrance to the house,  so when the Guards asked Kilian if he could tell them where he lived, they were much impressed, and amused, when he assured them that he lived at the White House!

This is a much revered shot that portrays the idyllic childhood the McKenna children enjoyed by the sea.  It was as if Sandymount Strand and the Shelly Banks were the family's personal property,  their own, private playground.

In this shot Kilian, Ralph and Breffni sit atop the Great South Wall looking out to Howth Head with the Poolbeg Lighthouse away in the distance.