‘Behind the Mask’ charts the lives and experiences of dozens of people in Killarney during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.The book features hundreds of interviews and photographs with local personalities, families, employers and sports stars. 
Marie chose the Irish Cancer Society as one of the beneficiaries of the book’s sales. Marie describes why she choose the Irish Cancer Society below. 

“As a press photographer in the community of Killarney, my lens often favoured Garda Diane Collins because of her outstanding contribution to community work in Killarney.  Diane was a massive backing force in supporting my idea to create this book, however in April 2021, Diane’s husband Paudie, another very popular Garda in Killarney, was diagnosed with melanoma.

“Paudie sadly passed away from cancer in August of 2021, just a few days after his second daughter Olivia was born at the same hospital, CUH.” Marie states.

Marie wanted to commemorate Paudie and show her support for Diane “Her resilience amazed me.  It still does. Diane was so determined and dedicated to the project, despite everything she was dealing with in her own life. Diane and her family sought support from the Irish Cancer Society during this time so as a result, we decided to choose the Society as the first of three beneficiaries of the book. 
 

“Unfortunately cancer has touched so many people within our community and in my own life as well. To date we are proud to have donated €7,100 to the Irish Cancer Society and we hope to grow this number over the next year. This is our way of giving back and supporting members of our community impacted by cancer.”

For more information on 'Behind the Mask', visit: https://www.thelittlememorygallery.com/