Tributes have been paid to Stanley Matchett MBE, the Belfast-based professional photographer who ran weekend courses for more than 20 years at Arnold’s Hotel in Dunfanaghy.
Mr Matchett (92), who died in March, had a great affection for the people and scenery of Donegal and enjoyed a close affinity with the Arnold family.
He is survived by his wife, Maureen, his children, Karen, Joanne and Gavin, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Key to the success of the photographic courses were the scenery and people of the Dunfanaghy area. Stanley and Maureen scouted out various picturesque locations and also organised a variety of models, often in the form of local people who agreed to pose for the class.
These included brothers Dinny and Michael McFadden from Roshine, Andrew McGinley from Ramonaghan and Fanny McElhinney from Horn Head.
Some of the pictures that Stanley took are still on display in Arnold’s Hotel.
The weekend courses took place every spring and autumn and attracted aspiring photographers from far and wide.
In most cases they were people with an interest in photography but who wanted to learn more from an expert.
Derek Arnold from Arnold’s said: “We go back a long way with Stanley and Maureen and always looked forward to accommodating their photographic courses. Over the years they encouraged hundreds of people to get more out of their interest in photography and often the results were spectacular.”
A Service of Thanksgiving for Stanley’s life was held at Carryduff Presbyterian Church on March 21 and Maureen told how his career began when he joined the YMCA Camera Club in Belfast and started submitting photographs to the Belfast Telegraph in the 1950s.
His talent was obvious and he was invited to join the staff of the Telegraph. After several years as a staff photographer he moved to the Daily Mirror to head up the photographic team.
Stanley covered many challenging assignments during the troubles and he is still remembered for his iconic shot of Bishop Daly waving his bloodstained handkerchief on Bloody Sunday.
But his portfolio ranged far and wide and a selection of his most celebrated photographs – including those of the Beatles and Rolling Stones – was screened in the church prior to the Service of Thanksgiving.
Among those paying tribute was Patricia Pyne, a member of the Spears family from Carrigart, and who regularly attended the courses at Arnold’s Hotel.
An accomplished photographer in her own right now, she said Stanley’s courses had been marvellously instructive and helped to cultivate her interest in photography.
The Belfast Telegraph noted that Stanley Matchett had been at the forefront of the photographic profession in Northern Ireland for more than 40 years.
But he also covered the weddings in London of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer and also of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
The Telegraph said: “Stanley’s portfolio reflected four decades of major social, economic and political change, illustrating the narratives with portraits, the grim scenes of the Troubles and the traditions of Irish life.”
Stanley took a number of photographs of the Rev Jim Lamont, senior minister of Dunfanaghy Presbyterian Church, for publication in his Highland Inspiration series of books.
In 2003 Stanley was awarded an MBE for services to photography.
He was a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and the British Institute of Professional Photography as well as being an honorary member of the Press Photographers Association of Northern Ireland.
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