THE BEALTAINE FESTIVAL which runs across the country throughout the month of May celebrates creativity in ageing. One of the very diverse projects is photographer Aidan Kelly’s exhibition on older people with tattoos, called INK.

Dublin-based artist Kelly was commissioned by Bealtaine to begin the project in 2010 and has added to his record every year since then. He describes it as a “celebration of each individual”. The project description on Bealtaine.com has a succinct take on what tattoos mean to those inscribed with them:

Tattoos can be a sign of belonging or rebellion; they can commemorate someone dear or be an expression; they can be signs of service, servitude or even imprisonment. Gently revealing, they are lasting reminders of time and place. Deliberate ink engraved into skin for a lifetime.

Some of the stories of the INK participants are recorded here. The exhibitions – running now at the Axis Centre in Ballymun, Dublin until 10 May; and at the Old Markethouse Arts Centre in Dungarvan, Waterford from 11 May-27 June – are free. There is a workshop in the Dungarvan centre on Wednesday, 23 May which is also free but places should be booked. In this workshop, Kelly invites older people to attend and they will have the opportunity to tell the story of their tattoo and have it photographed for possible inclusion in the next phase of the exhibition.

Here are some of the new photographs and stories included in this year’s exhibition: (All images © Aidan Kelly)