70 Patrick Street, Cork - Victorian era public domain image
These are the premises of the legendary Guy's of Cork - photographers, stationers, and publishers of Guy's Cork Almanacs and Directories. At no. 69 to the left is Allen, a drapers perhaps as a sign in the windo... More
79 Grafton Street..., Leinster, Ireland
... was the Dublin School of Photography and Studio of Frederick Holland Mares.This gives us a much narrower dating window for this one than 1860-1883, as Mares moved to 118 Grafton Street ( http://jacolette.wo... More
Merchants Quay, Newry. Northern Ireland
Ships on the canal at Merchants Quay in Newry, alongside a nice brace of merchants' premises...Date: 1870s? (but definitely between 1860 and 1883)..NLI Ref.: STP_1179 ( STP_1179 )
Armagh Man (William Stickers?) laughs in the face of "Post No Bills" s...
Cheating a little with the title of this one, as there is no "Post No Bills" sign to be seen (although we know they existed in Ireland long before ( nlireland/8178145805 ) this photo was taken). However, I fel... More
"possibly outside railway station"? No, it's Woodside Skating Rink!
Does this location look familiar to anyone? Our catalogue information says "... possibly outside railway station"...Plus I'm wondering is that scaffolding or a railing on roof of the large establishment with th... More
Robert French - Eyre Square, Galway
Featuring the shyest tram passengers ever.....Date: 1880s?..NLI Ref.: L_ROY_00775 ( vtls000325307 )
Robert French - Dining Saloon on the S.S. Great Eastern
Thought that after our couple of "shippy" days, it'd be interesting to see what was available to passengers below decks on snazzy (technical term) vessels like the Brunel-designed S.S. Great Eastern, berthed in... More
Robert French - Traffic Jam, Shannon at Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Irelan...
Barges and boats jockeying for position at the lock at the weir on the Shannon at Athlone, Co. Westmeath...Here's an interesting post on the Irish Waterways History site about this lock and its mechanics ( http... More
Train station Robert French - Curves in Cork - Public domain photograp...
Chose this curvy photo of the railway station in Cork for the bewildering multiplicity of signage. Most scenes in our early photos are blissfully uncluttered, but not this one!..Also chose it because it has a c... More
Robert French - The Docks, Belfast
Paddle Steamer in for repairs/re-fit? Either way, couldn't resist the amphitheatre effect of this working environment...N.B.: Had intended to ask you all to pace yourselves with these photos of Belfast, Cork, ... More
Robert French - Drung Hill, Co. Kerry
NLI Ref.: LIMP 2947 ( vtls000058720 ) Public domain photograph of a steam locomotive, engine, train, railroad, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Bangor Castle I - Public domain image of steamship
Paddle steamer Bangor Castle en fête for some big event! We don't know where this was taken. Can just make out ...KLOW at extreme left on the prow of the steamer behind the Bangor Castle...Date: 1860-1883..NLI ... More
Queenstown, where soldiers found a home, and sailors their rest
Lovely view of Queenstown (now Cobh), and more evidence of harbour-side urinals, though perhaps not as fancy as the ones we saw at City Quay, Dublin ( nlireland/8042702091/ ) ...Date: 1890s? (between 1893 and F... More
Robert French - Trinity College Dublin, late 19th century
Very bustling scene at College Green in Dublin (at 13:16 o' the clock?). There are surely clues in this streetscape that can help us narrow down the date.....This photo was taken probably by Robert French, chie... More
Robert French - Alexandra Graving Dock, Belfast (2)
… taken from further back, showing all of the Rothesay Bay out of Glasgow (is that how it's termed?)...Date: Between October and December 1889 or between July 1890 and mid-1899..NLI Ref.: L_NS_01663 ( vtls000344666 )
Robert French - Pilot Office, Belfast
Men working on tracks at the docks in Belfast beside the Pilot Office...Thanks to Gerry Ward ( gerryward/ ) for this great background information:."The Pilot Office stood on the north side of the Lagan at the ... More
Robert French - H.M.S. Warspite at Queenstown, now Cobh
Since we visited Kingstown yesterday, thought we might swing by Queenstown in Co. Cork today, now renamed Cobh...This photo lacks the usual impeccable clarity of our Lawrence Collection photos, but thought you ... More
Robert French - H.M.S. Melampus in all her glory
Taken at the harbour in Kingstown, Co. Dublin - now renamed Dun Laoghaire...Think we might get a bit nautical (not ruling out naughty either) for the next few days, in honour of the Dublin Tall Ships Races Fest... More
Horse Trams at corner of Bachelor's Walk and O'Connell Bridge
Date: ca. 1891-1897..NLI Ref.: L_ROY_03114 ( L_ROY_03114 )
Robert French - All aboard the "Cherry-bounce"
Happy tourists or day trippers loading up outside McNeill's Hotel in Larne, Co. Antrim, under the watchful eye of the local constabulary. We think McNeill's was near Dunluce Street. Have hazarded "charabanc" as... More
Robert French - S.S. Shannon - Public domain image of a steam boat
Yesterday's photo of the S.S. Hazel showed hundreds of people bundled on board. Today, a rather more orderly group are disembarking the S.S. Shannon at Cappagh Pier, Kilrush, Co. Clare...P.S. Did we ever come t... More
Unidentified = Eel Weir taken from Town Bridge in Athlone, Co. Westmea...
Thought this was probably on the River Shannon somewhere, but excellent that we now have a proper location for this Lawrence Collection photo that previously had only the rather sad title of Unidentified on our... More
Robert French - Cherry Bounce, Galway, Ireland
Completely stealing the title for this one from Little Women where Amy uses the term that the March family's household helper, Hannah, used for Mr. Laurence's Char-a-Banc...This gorgeous touring car is pictured... More
Robert French - The Square, Rathdowney, Co. Laois, circa 1900
This photo was taken probably by Robert French, chief photographer of William Lawrence Photographic Studios of Dublin...You can compare this view of the The Square at Rathdowney with its companion photo ( nlire... More
Robert French - Temprance Bar! postcard
Bad spelling over the door aside, surely a Temperance Bar is a bit of a contradiction in terms?..The main focus here is Thomas Strand's establishment at no. 5 Tivoli Terrace in Lisdoonvarna (lovely lamp lurking... More
Robert French - Fast Excursion to the International Exhibition
It looks as if some quite stylish ladies have just alighted from a train at Limerick Railway Station, though they're of no interest to local children who are completely focused on the photographer...Delighted t... More
Robert French - Lawrence No. 1, Leinster, Ireland
Think this is a good shot of Sackville Street, the G.P.O. and Nelson's Pillar in and of itself (and certainly tram heaven for transport enthusiasts), but like it also as it's "No. 1" of the Lawrence Cabinet-siz... More
Albert Memorial in Belfast at 14:25 - Now you don't see the horse-draw...
Companion photo of an archetypal Robert French/Lawrence Collection street scene of the Albert Memorial in Belfast, but now with added electrification... ( nlireland/12170051564 ) ..Photographer: Robert French o... More
Robert French - First Class Battleship
Crew sunning themselves in Castletownbere, Co. Cork. Infuriating that the ship's name is not clear on any of the caps.....Photographer: Almost certainly Robert French of Lawrence Photographic Studios ( http://c... More
Exemption Licence at the Anchor Hotel in Moville, Co. Donegal
Don't think we've come across one of these newfangled exemption licences before, have we?..Photographer: Almost certainly Robert French of Lawrence Photographic Studios ( http://catalogue.nli.ie/Collection/vtls... More
Robert French - Lovely lamp posts
Parts of this photo may not be pin sharp, but it's a great high view along Sackville Street (now O'Connell Street) in Dublin, with lots of details to feast on…..Photographer: Almost certainly Robert French of L... More
Robert French - Howth-on-Sea, Leinster, Ireland
Gloriously sunny day (even in black and white) at Howth, Co. Dublin...Date: Circa 1905? (info. from the excellent Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio ( https://sites.google.com/site/hurdygurdymuseum/home ) in ... More
Robert French - Post No Bills, Galway, Ireland
Wondering if this is the earliest sighting of a "Post No Bills" warning in our photos (in the archway at the right - no. 18). This is Shop Street, Galway obviously bathed in glorious sunshine, with a horse-draw... More
Robert French - Moll's Gap, Kerry
Very ominous clouds moving in on these tourists in Kerry. Looks as if they're going to get pelted with rain...From the sign post, Sneem is 15 miles behind them, and they've 14 miles to to to Killarney.....Date:... More
Robert French - Steamboat, Lough Erne
Sticking with the same collection as yesterday, the catalogue lists this image as "Steam Boat on Lough Erne, Belturbet, Co. Cavan" - implying that it was taken in County Cavan. However, we have a similar Lawren... More
Robert French - Castle Street in Sligo Town
This was taken just around the corner from our 1798 Memorial on Market Street ( nlireland/9182730208 ) . Good vista, good mix of businesses, very clear registration number on that motor too (IK 833)…..Wonder wa... More
Robert French - Nineteen minutes past 11 o'clock
Love when our photos clearly show the time, and that's the case with this great capture of St. Patrick's Hill in Cork City.....Thanks to guliolopez ( achesonblog/ ) who did so much work on Barriscale's Jewelle... More
Robert French - Picnicking at Lough Gill
Yet another visit to beautiful Lough Gill to end this week and a view to die for! Mr. French appears to have brought a few of his drinking partners to share the view with him on this occasion though the top ha... More
Robert French - Irish water buffaloes?
This smashing shot from the lens of Mr. French looks so crisp and clear that one could imagine that you were looking at it live! Lough Gill in Sligo is beautiful at any time and this captures the atmosphere an... More
Robert French - Fahan in Lough Swilly.
The pier at Fahan on Lough Swilly, Co. Donegal looks a lonely place in this beautiful Royal plate from the Lawrence Collection. Lough Swilly is famous for many things and one of the most famous is the kidnappi... More
We're going on a bear hunt! - stereoscopic view, public domain photorp...
A cave deep in the woods would always hold the attraction of exploration and the thrill of danger, especially for the young at heart! Where is this one and has the scene changed much in the last 150 years?..Ro... More
Deep in the valley O! - stereoscopic view, public domain photorpaph
To end the week after some really lovely images, here we have one from our Stereo Pairs Collection of an unidentified valley. It has a cluster of houses nestling below the heavily wooded slopes of a hill. (Cong... More
Robert French - The wheels fell off the wagon!
Reading the catalogue description of this I thought that it would be like a "Cardall" image, an idealised bit of Paddywhackery but when I looked at the image my reaction was WOW! This is so different, almost E... More
Sure it would take me hours to walk over that stuff...
The catalogue description of this image suggests that it is a man standing on a castle, but the benefits of "Super Dooper Mega Zoom" (technical term) show that this is not the case. The man is sitting on a fai... More
Graveyards, memorials of Robt. Potter MP for Limerick, Fitzgerald of G...
A graveyard with Limerick people interred therein is probably in Limerick, or is it? Looking pristine and well tended I wonder how it looks today? Who was Robert Potter and Fitzgerald?..Photographers: Freder... More
Robert French - In splendid isolation
We rejoin Mr. French on his sojourn in Kerry though a further south in this case in Waterville. Holy Island sounds like a great place to sit in the ruins in quiet contemplation?..Thanks all for confirmation of... More
Robert French - Lead kindly light...
Having lugged his "Royal" camera down to the beach, Mr. French persisted and took this unusual shot of the light entering a cave at Ballybunion in County Kerry. Unusual for a number of reasons - not least of w... More
Robert French - Sir John Gray all shiny and new
This beautiful shot of Sir John Gray's monument and a pristine Sackville Street, (O'Connell Street) taken in the early morning, The street is clear apart from some hackneys waiting for fares with Nelsons Pilla... More
But the last shall be first and the first shall be last: May the Lord ...
A monument to Sir E. J. Harland in Belfast takes us up north of the border (which is in the news) today, and gives me an opportunity to quote from Maurice Craig's wonderful poem. Harland is a name that is syno... More
Robert French - Sunday at the Well?
This beautiful Royal plate from the lens of Mr. French makes Sundays Well in Cork look the way most Cork people see their city and county! The beautiful scene with that tranquil water is absolutely perfect....... More
The ruin and the cross - stereoscopic view, public domain photorpaph
For most of our old photographs the vegetation will have increased in the area since it was taken but in this case hope and suspect that it has actually reduced. An old overgrown building, in a marshy, reed co... More
A truly institutional institution!
To the Stereo Pairs collection today, and to a vast institution somewhere. These great building projects were intended to provide treatment and care for people in a region and have lasted for many years though... More
Robert French - Main Street, Longford on a market day
Starting this week with a Lawrence image of Main Street, Longford on a busy market day! I love shots like this with a wealth of detail, lots of people, animals, carts and produce on display. It will be diffic... More
Robert French - Camlin Falls, Longford, Co. Longford
These unusual water falls in County Longford are today's offering from the Lawrence Collection. Obviously part of a river management system and I imagine an adventure for kayakers if it still exists. I love t... More
Robert French - Edenvale, Ennis, Co. Clare
Here we are in County Clare. August is always a good time to go to Clare. In fact, any month is a good time to go to County Clare! Eden Vale, a very fancy house. I presume it was either destroyed in the early 1... More
Robert French - Lawn, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
A lawn with a DesRes in Castlebar would always be a most attractive proposition and this fine house is no exception! I seem to remember a previous shot from Castlebar with an open area/square in the town with... More
Robert French - Lord of the rocks and the crevices
The entrance to Lord Bantry's estate in Glengarriff looks trim and proper while just outside the wild rocky country of West Cork looms large like an impending disaster! This beautiful image from the Lawrence c... More
Robert French - General View, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
This general view of Mullingar is one where it may prove difficult to identify places or indeed the location. As we try to oblige our viewers where possible this is in response to a request by "Jack the Stroll... More
Robert French - Sidecar in Glencar
This beautiful scene from County Sligo is today's offering. Not as musical as yesterday's, as political as the day before nor as tragic as Tynan Abbey. Benbulbin must be one of the most photogenic mountains f... More
Robert French - Tynan Abbey, Co. Armagh
This fine looking building in County Armagh will start our week. It would not look out of place in any of our near British or European neighbours. Does it still stand or has it fallen victim to time and 'prog... More
One man and his gun, Galway, Ireland
One with very few clues today to end the week and what looks like an early Stereo Pairs shot. A man on his own standing on a stone jetty with a heavy cannon gun beside him. In the background is a conical bare... More
Boxes, shovels and corner boys!
This is a cracker of a shot from the Stereo Pairs Collection with terrific detail and all kinds of jewels in the form of merchandise outside the doors of the shops. Where is English Street and where did Peter ... More
Robert French - Bringing light into darkness
Standing proud and distinctive on Wicklow Head the lighthouse was an essential beacon for the many ships sailing along the Irish Sea. Our great hope is that we can get a little more information on it than we d... More
Sail and steam in harbour - stereoscopic view, public domain photorpap...
Returning to matters maritime once more we have a very busy harbour scene with steam and sailing ships berthed beside quays somewhere. In the background can be seen many stacks denoting industry and in the for... More
Robert French - On the beach
A scene from a beach, apparently in Achill, where the locals are gathered with tins, buckets, boats and nets. What is really unusual and demands some explanation is the man inspecting the nets while holding a ... More
The street where you live... - stereoscopic view, public domain photor...
Starting the week with a Stereo Pairs image of a terrace of houses on a broad street many of them decorated with elaborate wrought (cast) iron balconies. I wonder where it is and if it appears on Streetview to... More
Out standing in his own field? - stereoscopic view, public domain phot...
We don't often get the chance to admire the Stereo Pairs Collection so it is great to be able to do so! This noble statue of a man on a plinth complete with a globe in a very fine setting should provoke some i... More
Somewhere in the West - stereoscopic view, public domain photorpaph
I know this scene, it is like the Delphi Fishery but I do not think it is, T. C. Kingsmill Moore, would know precisely. It is definitely associated with a fishery in the West of Ireland. We have the scotch pine... More
Robert French - Mud, boats and quays - the Barrow at New Ross.
From the Liffey in Dublin yesterday, to the Barrow in New Ross today. And, from the elegant Elinor Wiltshire, to the burly Robert French. The quays are impressive but empty - which is rather surprising given ... More
Robert French - Metropole Hotel, Cork
This Wednesday we take a trip south to the City of Cork. Have you ever wondered what the word Metropole actually means? We have seen hotels in Dublin and now Cork using it. Well wonder no more I have found tha... More
Robert French - An hotel, omnibus, loiterers and ... a chicken!
This delightful shot of an hotel in Westport, County Mayo is a great way to begin a week that promises to be a scorcher here in Ireland. The trees are offering plenty of shade for those who sit and await the d... More
Robert French - Sure it's a Grand place to stay!
The Grand Central Hotel in Belfast is the subject of todays image from the Lawrence Collection. This fine Royal sized plate shows great detail not only of the hotel but also of the street with its range of tra... More
Robert French - Charabanc at the Lake Hotel
This delightful shot shows a "Charabanc" or "Omnibus" loading up with happy trippers outside the Lake Hotel in Inchigeela, County Cork. The image is full of detail including hats, horses, people - but any dogs... More
NOT a "Gothic revival/restoration stone church, square castellated tow...
While this is NOT the exterior of a Gothic revival/restoration stone church it just may be the interior of just such a church. This appears to be one of a number of images of the same church in the archive. T... More
"Church with square tower of rubble masonry" is the original St Finbar...
A visit to the Stereo Pairs Collection today and to a country church(?) with "square tower of rubble masonry". The shot has been reduced to a single image for ease of viewing on Flickr. In the past we have bee... More
Robert French - Callow Hill, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow
Having assumed that yesterday's "location unknown ( ...nlireland/41519532814/ ) " image would keep everyone busy for a few days (how wrong I was), I hadn't really prepared anything for today. And hence have not... More
Robert French - Railway Station House, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow
Back when railway stations were designed with a sense of style and purpose, this confection was landed in Bagenalstown in County Carlow. The symmetrical design was to cater for the vast flow of passengers in a... More
Robert French - Around the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran?
The triumphant pose of the figure above those boulders reminded Morning Mary of the old tonguetwister. Shot by Mr. French on a cabinet sized camera it would appear to be in a not so accessible position at Carr... More
Robert French - The place where true happiness can be found
This beautiful Royal plate from the Lawrence collection was taken by Robert French in "Happy Valley" near Newcastle, County Down. The scene is idyllic (if rather rugged for true happiness) but then the road to... More
Robert French - The Kingdom in all its glory!
From Mayo (God help us) to the Kingdom of Kerry and more specifically to Dingle Harbour on a beautiful clear day. This lovely cabinet sized shot was taken from a high PoV giving a great vista of water and land... More
Robert French - Go west young man, go west!
Killala Bay, Kilcummin, Co. Mayo looking pristine with a sharp horizon line is todays offering from the Lawrence Collection. Given the size of Killala Bay this could be looking North, South, East or West and w... More
Robert French - A hive of activity - Main Street, Roscrea, Co. Tippera...
It's a long way from Tipperary South Riding and Cashel to Tipperary North Riding and Roscrea but only if you are trying to walk it! We started the week with a visit to Cashel of the Kings and here we have the ... More
Robert French - Main Street, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
It may be a "Long way to Tipperary" but today we are going right into the heart of it! Specifically to Cashel of the Kings, the seat of the kings of Munster for many years and later of bishops. The main street ... More
Robert French - Pier, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
We stay in County Clare and with the Lawrence Collection for the last photo of the week. For a while, Ballyvaughan was the official capital of this region of Clare, sporting its own workhouse, coastguard stati... More
Robert French - Drumcliffe, Co. Clare
What a lovely day for a visit to the Banner County. Spring seems to have sprung in this Emerald Isle of ours. I have seen cattle in grassy (and reasonably dry) fields, apple trees with buds ready to bloom and y... More
Robert French - Sunday's Well, Cork City, Co. Cork
We are staying in the "Rebel County" today, just because it is a good thing to do. I believe all Corkonians will agree with the decision to present this wonderful landscape / cityscape...I am not very good on s... More
Robert French - John Windele's Tomb, Cork City, Co. Cork
I look forward to hearing all about Mr Windele, I for one have not come across that name before...It is a long time since we had a Limerick from our Chief Antipodean Contributor (CAC), and for some reason this ... More
Robert French - Fairy Rings and Flagpoles.
They're not Fairy Rings of course, but rather enclosures to keep the sheep from eating the plants? To start the week we visit Valentia in Co. Kerry once again and this time to "Glenleam" and what appears to be... More
Robert French - Quays, Derry City, Co. Derry
Staying in Ulster again to end the week and today visiting the lovely city of Derry on the banks of the Foyle! The Quays have shipping tied up - but it does not look like a hive of activity. Looking at the ti... More
Robert French - Bloody Bridge, Newcastle, Co. Down
From the top of Donard to below the Bloody Bridge and still in Newcastle, Co. Down! This looks like a major engineering achievement, not because of the size of the bridge or the fury of the torrent below it, b... More
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea!
One can always tell when Mr. French had to get to someplace difficult or awkward, he used the smaller "cabinet" sized camera and slides! This beautiful scene taken on the slopes of Slieve Donard overlooking N... More
Who lives in a Fairy Castle? - stereoscopic view, public domain photor...
Yet again we have a case of deja vu! We seem to have seen aspects of this estate in the past though not the castle itself. A renaissance style castle set in the North of Ireland must have seemed pretty preten... More
Robert French - A Royal Plate for a Royal Hotel in Valentia
This fine Royal Plate from the Lawrence Collection is our offering for today. A magnificent hotel taken on a sunny and calm day with lots of activity on the nearby pier and water makes it look the perfect vaca... More
Robert French - The Giants Ring in Kenmare
To the Lawrence Collection this morning and to "The Giants Ring", Kenmare, Co. Kerry. It is not easy to pick it out due to the more modern construction dominating the foreground but there appears to be a ring ... More
Robert French - Clonhugh, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
From the moving statue of King Billy to a big, a very big, house outside Mullingar in County Westmeath. This large building with extensions looks like yet another country house converted into a convent or scho... More
Robert French - Tennis Court (with slight obstruction) in Boyle
Back to the old reliable Lawrence Collection today and a visit to the beautiful town of Boyle in County Roscommon. Titled "Tennis Court, Boyle" this image appears to be more about the statue than the tennis co... More
We finally got to Hollywood, hurrah! (Actually it is Holywood but near...
Holywood, County Down is a great place to visit on this morning after the BAFTAs - given that they frequently indicate who might win the Oscars! Holywood looks pristine in this lovely cabinet sized shot. But h... More
Robert French - Kings Rd, Whitehead, Co. Antrim
This fine Lawrence "Royal" sized plate of Kings Road, Whitehead in Co. Antrim shows a scene with what looks like a bombed out building on the right. The people are posed, the horses have been stilled and all i... More
A fine collection of ivy? (on 'St. Columb's House')
The title for this Stereo Pairs image goes "Celtic Oratory - very overgrown" which is somewhat of an understatement! Looking at the door and the stonework I would not have recognised it as a Celtic church buil... More
Robert French - Right leaning chimneys in Rathdowney!
The week is off to a rocky start with visit to a brewery first thing on Monday morning. This fine Royal plate from the Lawrence Collection, taken on a still day, shows a fine enterprise seemingly in full swing... More