Glasgow-based photographer Simon Murphy presents collection of work that offers a deep
and intimate portrait of a diverse neighbourhood in the Southside of Glasgow, capturing the
spirit, resilience, and humanity of its people. Murphy’s long-term documentary project is
rooted in Govanhill’s unique cultural mix, a place of arrival and transition for generations of
immigrants, including many from Donegal.
This exhibition carries particular resonance in Donegal. Govanhill, along with the
neighbouring Gorbals, became known as ‘Little Donegal’ due to the high concentration of
emigrants from West Donegal, many of whom were native Irish speakers. These
communities maintained strong ties to their homeland, fostering a vibrant cultural life and a
constant exchange between Glasgow and Donegal. In presenting this work in Letterkenny,
we acknowledge the shared histories of migration, resilience, and community that link these
two places across the Irish Sea.
Simon Murphy has been photographing the people of Govanhill since 1999, first as a
resident and later through his dedicated street portraiture project, which began in 2016. His
images, shot in black and white using a medium format camera, offer a compelling visual
narrative of a neighbourhood that is at once hyper-local and truly global. Govanhill is home
to an estimated 88 languages within a compact 0.33 square-mile area. This extraordinary diversity brings both challenges and vibrancy, and Murphy’s work captures this duality
through the faces and stories of those who call it home. His portraits celebrate the dignity,
hope, and aspirations of Govanhill’s residents, affirming the universal values of belonging
and identity.
The exhibition highlights Govanhill as a microcosm of multiculturalism, reflecting the
complexities and richness of urban life. It explores themes of migration and transience,
drawing parallels to the experience of Donegal emigrants who settled there. Murphy’s
photographs are deeply humanistic, celebrating everyday life with honesty and respect,
emphasising human dignity and hope. The exhibition also serves as a bridge between past
and present, drawing connections between Govanhill and Donegal’s own traditions of
migration and community-building.
By bringing these powerful images to Letterkenny, we celebrate the lasting ties between
Donegal and Glasgow while inviting reflection on migration, identity, and community.
Simon Murphy is an award-winning photographer based in Glasgow whose work spans
global human interest stories, from Bangladesh to the Democratic Republic of Congo. His
Govanhill series has received widespread acclaim, featuring in leading photography
publications and exhibitions. Murphy is also a photography lecturer and Chair of the Scottish
Portrait Awards. His practice is driven by a commitment to social documentary, using
photography as a means to foster understanding and engagement.
Exhibition is curated by Martha McCulloch.
