Michelle Rogers Dunican with her parents Peter and Andrea Rogers at the launch of her exhibition ‘Quintessentially Diana’ which runs until Thursday, August 31, in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
This month marks the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s tragic death and there are countless events to acknowldege her passing and the significant milestone.
The Gallic Kitchen in Abbeyleix is one such place – as a photographic exhibition featuring images of Diana taken by local woman Michelle Rogers-Dunican are on display for the next two weeks.
It was officially launched on Wednesday night when a large crowd attended the Abbeyleix venue.
“All the adjectives to describe Diana don’t do her justice,” said Michelle prior to the event. “She was always described as being beautiful but until I saw her I didn’t realise just how stunning she was.”
“She was charismatic and down to earth. She had this appeal -when she spoke to you, you felt like you were the only person that she was talking to. She was incredibly funny and just put people at ease,” said Michelle.
The last time Michelle saw Diana was six and a half weeks before her death. Michelle says that around this time, she saw Diana, “really come out of her shell.”
The exhibition contains mainly candid, unposed shots of Diana but there is one photo that Michelle asked Diana to pose for.
“She posed and looked right at me with her bright blue eyes. That for me is my favourite photograph in the exhibition,” said Michelle.
Alf Harvey was in Abbeyleix for the official launch on Wednesday. Michelle’s exhibition ‘Quintessentially Diana’ runs from Wednesday, August 16, until Thursday, August 31, in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix.
SEE ALSO – Exclusive Princess Diana photos taken by Abbeyleix woman to be shown in exhibitionMichelle Rogers Dunican with Viscount Tom de Vesci, Abbeyleix (cousin and friend of Princess Diana) at the launch of her exhibition ‘Quintessentially Diana’ which runs until Thursday 31 August in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix. Picture: Alf Harvey.Finnuala Foley and Vera Quinn at the launch of her exhibition ‘Quintessentially Diana’ which runs until Thursday 31 August in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix. Picture: Alf Harvey.Rita Cass and Roseann Tiernan at the launch of ‘Quintessentially Diana’ which runs until Thursday 31 August in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michelle Rogers Dunican with Charles McDonald and Andy Cole at the launch of her exhibition ‘Quintessentially Diana’ which runs until Thursday 31 August in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix. Picture: Alf Harvey.Rita O’Gorman, Marie Corby and Bridie Fennelly at the launch of ‘Quintessentially Diana’ which runs until Thursday 31 August in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michelle Rogers Dunican with Martina Nolan and Fidelma O’Dea at the launch of her exhibition ‘Quintessentially Diana’ which runs until Thursday 31 August in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michelle Rogers Dunican with her parents Peter and Andrea Rogers at the launch of her exhibition ‘Quintessentially Diana’ which runs until Thursday, August 31, in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michelle Rogers Dunican with her favourite photo taken at The Inn on The Park March 4 1991 at the launch of her exhibition ‘Quintessentially Diana’ which runs until Thursday 31 August in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michelle Rogers Dunican at the launch of her exhibition ‘Quintessentially Diana’ which runs until Thursday 31 August in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michelle Rogers Dunican at the launch of her exhibition ‘Quintessentially Diana’ which runs until Thursday 31 August in The Gallic Kitchen, Bramley, Abbeyleix. Picture: Alf Harvey.
