Meet_the storyteller
Cliodhna Prendergast photographer and writer - photo by Doreen Kilfeather
A Little about your work life story?
I am a photographer and writer and found my way to both through food, it’s where it all began for me. I grew up in a small country house hotel in Connemara, and as a child, I was always in the kitchen, that’s where the fun was. We had many brilliant chefs over the years, one who taught me to make ice cream and another showed me where to forage for ingredients which was quite unusual in the late 80’s. He would make incredible things with wild nettles, mushrooms and seaweed. That really sparked something in me and I was hooked.
Though I studied arts in UCC I really didn’t have any interest in academics and went straight to work in restaurant kitchens, where I was at ease. Eventually I trained at Ballymaloe cookery school which seemed to bring my appreciation of food full circle.
Then as head chef at Delphi Lodge, everyone sat at one long table, and cooking there was a dream. Using local ingredients wild and raised, with a different daily menu to suit the season, the weather - and maybe a last minute fishermen’s wild salmon, or a call from the lobster guy to say his pots were full.
Blood orange sorbet
When I was pregnant with my third child it was time to shift gears. I started running food programmes, helping kids understand where food comes from - visiting farms, mushroom picking, fishing, and cooking it together. It’s that collective learning experience that motivated myself and Imen McDonnell to set up Lens and Larder photography workshops, many years ago now. That led me to writing and photography, first with The Sunday Times armed with my little Nikon D90. Since then on a range of publications, and on books as diverse as cook books for Mark Moriarty , Jr Ryall and Annette Joseph in Italy, to writing a book for fabulous goldsmith Nigel Riley in Castlebar! Now, I split my time between shoots and storytelling.
For me, ideas often spring from social interaction, I founded Workship – a photography workshop where I collaborate creatively with an amazing team of women; photographer Doreen Kilfeather, cook Katie Sanderson and stylist Ruth Forsyth. We just wrapped our fourth one with another due this October.
Tilly for Workship
For me, ideas often spring from social interaction, so I founded Workship - a photography workshop where I collaborate creatively with an amazing team
— Workship 05 is coming up in October 2025
Mannin, Connemara
What a work day looks like?
No two days are ever the same, which I love. Some days are spent deep in writing and other days I’m on location shooting, spending time with the people I’m photographing to really get a feel for the story.
My day usually starts with a swim, no matter the weather. It helps clear my head and sets the tone, especially when work is so varied. After that, I might be editing images, interviewing someone, or working on a new project. It keeps me creatively on my toes, and I’m really grateful for that.
And when not at work?
Being outside is everything to me. I live in Connemara and draw so much inspiration from the landscape—walking in the woods and mountains, foraging, paying attention to the seasons. There’s something really meditative about it. I also find loads of creative spark in looking at other people’s work, from photographers, stylists, artists and designers. I’m always looking through magazines, Instagram feeds, film and books feeding my eyes and my brain. And then there’s Workship - while technically work, it’s also deeply joyful and energising. Collaborating with Ruth, Katie and Doreen is just a flow of ideas and a lot of laughs. It’s the kind of work that doesn’t feel like work at all.
Some of the Workship 04 participants!
Who is capturing your imagination now?
I love the graphic simplicity of the Simple Fare cookbooks by Karen Mordechai it’s a masterclass in minimalism and beautiful food. I feel I always talk about The Tweed Project they’re friends, but also a source of inspiration.
So too are my favourite photographers from NYC Gentl and Hyers, Ditte Isager from Denmark who worked with us on Lens and Larder, they have a beautifully artistic eye. David Prior of Prior – a world of curious travellers, he knows how to find meaning and connection in travel. Sophy Roberts too for her exquisite travel writing.
Is there a favourite way to wear your Overall?
I wear it for walking - especially when I’m in the woods (it protects my clothes from being shredded by brambles). And it’s brilliant when I’m working on set. I often wear it backwards, sounds odd, but it’s more breathable and keeps things loose. Plus, there are so many pockets, which is a lifesaver when I’m carrying things like memory cards, cleaning cloths, little camera tools, or even just my phone and keys. It saves me from dragging my trousers down with all the gear in my pockets!
I wear my Overall for walking. And there are so many pockets — which is a lifesaver — it’s brilliant when I’m working on set.
— photographer, writer
Find out more about Workship here and the series of fine art prints by Cliodhna Prendergast.
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Over the last two years we have enjoyed watching so many people wearing their Abito overalls - for everything from pottery and gardening to cooking, writing, and partying. So we are sharing their work life stories, inspirations and musings each month in this Journal, in the hope that you will be inspired by meeting them and enjoy their musings too.
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Thanks so much Cliodhna, and thank you for reading.
Catherine & Eve Anne