In a 1984 RTÉ TV segment, Thursfield spoke about the satisfaction he derived from his assignments, highlighting the importance of enthusiasm and effort in approaching his work. “I think it’s like everything else, if you approach something with a bit of enthusiasm, if you put a bit of effort into something, it’s very satisfying,” he remarked. “And you’ve got to accept the fact that some days it’s just not going to work.”
His commitment to his craft and the profound empathy that underlined his visual storytelling set Thursfield apart. His images weren’t just frozen moments in time; they were narratives that resonated with the pulse of a changing Ireland. As Ireland underwent critical transformations, Thursfield’s work became a visual testimony to the nation’s evolving identity.
Áine Lawlor attested to Thursfield’s deep compassion, describing it as the source of his keen visual eye. In an era when Ireland was undergoing significant changes, Thursfield’s ability to capture the nuances of the human experience became a strength for Irish Times photography.
A resident of the South Dublin suburb of Rathmines, Thursfield meticulously preserved his body of work in an archive, a testament to the historical and artistic value he attributed to each frame. His celebrated career was marked by numerous awards, a reflection of the recognition he received for his outstanding contributions to the field of press photography.
As the community mourns the loss of this visual storyteller, Peter Thursfield’s legacy lives on through the indelible images that will forever be etched in the collective memory of those who were touched by his work.
In a world that often rushes past fleeting moments, Thursfield’s lens served as a timeless reminder that, sometimes, a single frame has the power to tell a story that echoes through generations.
