Get snapping those hidden treasures in your home!

Are you interested in the objects around your home and do you like taking photos?

If so Wexford artist/folklorist Michael Fortune, who may be familiar from his appearances on the 'National Treasures' RTE programme, is looking for some help from the people of the Faithful County..

Due the current lockdown, Michael is conducting a very exciting new photographic project completely remotely from his home in Wexford, and he is simply asking Offaly people to take photographs of objects in their homes, sheds, gardens and yards that have a particular personal association to them, their family and their neighbours.

The deadline for this innovative project is Friday of next week, February 5, so participants are urged to get snapping as soon as possible.

All pictures must be taken within the 5km travel limit, and the objects and their stories can be as big or small as you like; an old toy from your childhood, a vintage tractor, a spade belonging to your grandfather, a pioneer badge, a homemade hurl, an old nightclub ticket, the family dresser or a botched up farmyard gate.

Participants are invited to take as many photos as they like, and to send them to Michael Fortune via e-mail at folklore.ie@gmail.com. or phone/message him on 087 6470247. He will produce a database/publication of all the photographed objects and the stories behind them for a nationwide exhibition next month.

Michael says “this project is open to anyone aged between 18 to 118 who owns a smartphone. No fancy cameras required or previous experience needed, just people with an interest in objects, their stories and taking a few snaps”. He adds that this form of project is "really exciting as you simply never know what will come in”. So if you have something out in your shed or displayed on your dresser or hidden in a biscuit tin in the attic, Michael wants to see it!

This project is being supported by Creative Ireland, Offaly County Council Arts Office and Galway 2020.