By Sean Moriarty

After nearly 50 years on the beat, legendary local press photographer Michelle Copper Galvin has finally decided to hang up her camera.

This week marks her final few days as a news photographer and her attendance at last Sunday’s Kerry v Laois Ladies Football match at Fitzgerald Stadium ended an unbroken stint that stretches all the way back to 1977.

She started her career with the Cork Examiner in 1974 and after four years with that publication she returned to Killarney where she has worked as the local media snapper ever since.

Best known for her role with The Kerryman, Michelle has also supplied many of the photographs that have appeared in the Killarney Advertiser over the last 40 years.

Michelle’s beat covered all of East, South and Mid Kerry, but she was best known for her work on the streets of her home town.

“The biggest change for me was the switch to digital,” Michelle told the Killarney Advertiser this week. “It became a simpler process from the camera to the computer and straight on to a page – ending negatives and processing film.”

Her favourite tasks were anything to do with sport and politics and memories include witnessing Munster Rugby defeating the All Blacks in that famous 1978 match in Thomond Park.

She is also a huge Kerry GAA fan but given the choice she would prefer a day out in Thomond Park over Fitzgerald Stadium.

“I have had a great career, I have met some wonderful people and very privileged to go to places that I went,” she said. “I have been blessed to work with some great editors who helped and guided me.”

Michelle is looking forward to spending more time with husband Dermot, who she says is her "number one supporter”, daughters Caoimhe, Grainne and son Diarmuid, their partners and her three grandchildren.

Dermot is currently based in London and Michelle played a crucial role in promoting the activities of the Kerry Association London as a result of her direct connections with the city.

“I will have more time to go to London now,” she added. “My children and grandchildren are all based on the island [of Ireland] so I am looking forward to seeing more of them too.”

She will have more time to attend Munster Rugby matches at home and abroad with no prior commitments that need covering on a local front.

She loves France and will spend more time in her favourite foreign country especially if trips coincide with Munster’s European Rugby Champions Cup games.

Michelle is not giving up on photography totally however, and says she will continue to take photos "of things I love and what interests me”.

Friends and colleagues in the Kerry media honoured her contribution to the industry with a special dinner in Tralee’s Ashe Hotel on last night (Thursday).