Waterford Crystal photographer talks life behind The Glass in new podcast
Waterford Crystal photographer, Terry Murphy visits Glassworks to share the stories behind some of the remarkable images he captured during his career as part of a new SETU podcast. Terry is pictured at Glassworks demonstrating a master blower’s tool.
Waterford Crystal photographer Terry Murphy is sharing stories about life behind The Glass in a new podcast with SETU.
The highly renowned photographer will be chatting with host Mary O'Neill about his life as the official photographer for the factory. He joined The Glass in the 1960's and has a first-hand account of how the factory impacted on both the local and international front.
Terry's photographs show master blowers working in temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees Celsius on the floors of The Glass. Terry also took part in Waterford Crystal advertising campaigns for the London Underground.
One photo captured workers taking down a furnace wall in punishing heat, a dangerous feat not just for the men but for Terry as well. He commented: "This was something that was never seen by anyone, because it was so dangerous. It happened at about 5.30pm on a Friday afternoon. I was given special permission to photograph the process but I was warned not to get too close. The feeling of heat when they took the furnace wall down was extraordinary. It was like being close to the sun, but it was an essential process to keep the factory going.”
Commenting on the podcast and on Terry’s photos, Laura Power, UNESCO Learning City Project Manager, SETU said: "Terry’s photos capture how the people of Waterford Crystal combined craftmanship and excellence with a willingness to embrace change, continually developing their skills, sharing their knowledge and finding new ways to innovate. That same spirit of connection, creativity and lifelong learning is now shaping the evolution of Glassworks, on a new site where history was made time and time again.”
Dr Karl Haslam, SETU Glassworks Business Development Manager, Ecosystem and Operations, added: “Glassworks is about honouring an extraordinary legacy while inspiring what comes next. A new chapter is beginning; one where university meets enterprise, ideas make impact and SETU, along with its partners, continues to inspire futures.”
The SETU Podcast series can be accessed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
