TADHG ENNIS MOVED from Dublin to New York in 2009 in the wake of the economic crash.
Two years ago, he decided to upskill and enrolled at Miami Ad School in New York to study advertising.
There’s a photography element to his course but, as he works as a barman, the only free time he’s had to take pictures is late at night when his shift finishes which is usually around 4am. His Instagram account – manhattan_after_midnight – chronicles these experiences.
Ennis told TheJournal.ie what it has been like to capture the city that never sleeps in the dead of night.
“It’s an essential component of my course, but it’s turned into a real hobby for me now,” Ennis said. “I started this project around a year ago after a teacher recommend it to me.
I’m in college four days and working in the bar late another three nights so this is the only time I really get to take pictures.
“You never know what’s around the corner,” he said. “I’ve been taking the camera with me at all times now. I have it ready to go out as soon as I get out the door.
You never know what you’re going to see.
His photographs capture a variety of situations, from police on the beat, late-night revellers and people working through the night.
Ennis said: “What you see in midtown, downtown, the Bronx – I always say Manhattan may as well be a load of different cities put together.”
The aspect of taking these photos that strikes Ennis the most is the sheer variety of life he comes across.
He said: “At 4am, there’s all these people simultaneously on the streets for so many different reasons. Every bit of society is bundled together in this one city.”
Now in the Big Apple eight years, Ennis has put down roots in the States, having married an American woman.
“This project is a really great thing I’ve got stuck into.” he said. “Home will always be Ireland, but the opportunities are here.”
You can find more of Tadgh Ennis’ pictures on Instagram here, or on his website here.
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