Robert French - The Queen's Yacht but not in Queenstown?
The Queens Yacht at anchor (it is affixed to a buoy which means that it is moored not anchored) with what looks like its twin in the background. As Queenstown was the name given to Cobh in Co. Cork and this lo... More
Robert French - Rugged mountain and calm day at Glencar!
Glencar Lake, Glencar, brings us back once again to the lovely and much maligned County Leitrim. Jokes such as "even the snipe wear wellingtons in Leitrim" give the impression of an unlovely and unloved county... More
Robert French - A very rare visit to County Longford
This is a rare visit to the county of Longford and the pity is that it shows two institutional buildings rather than the many fine sights there! The Convent of Mercy beside the Union building on a rise must ha... More
No place like home!. Northern Ireland
The original title for this stereo pairs shot is "Institutional building, open University, wings 3 bays wide, 4 deep, main obelisk 3 a side 3 to central portion, cart foreground" and I suspect that it won't las... More
Beauty on the double - stereoscopic view, public domain photorpaph
Good morning and a happy Monday to you all! I have a sense of deja vu all over again on this shot - though the one I am imagining is a Lawrence photo rather than this magnificent Stereo Pairs image. The scene ... More
An ass, a dog and a poster - everything for everybody?
This posed cabinet sized image from Robert French looks like a picture postcard! It was probably taken for just that reason as Lawrence ran a commercial photography business producing cards and prints for publ... More
Robert French - Sitting in splendid isolation?
The statue of some cleric sitting in splendid isolation in St. Mary's Cathedral in Limerick City to begin the week. Last week we visited the beautiful county of Clare and today we go east to the gateway to the... More
Robert French - Strand, Lahinch, Co. Clare
We have visited Lahinch in County Clare before with photographs showing its golf and aviation connections. This excellent shot from the Lawrence stable of the strand and the Town itself is an ideal one for this... More
Robert French - Lighthouse, Carrigaholt, Co. Clare
From a traffic blockage in Clonmel to Carrigaholt where the nearest thing to a traffic jam is two cows meeting at a crossroads! Mr. French appears to have discovered rush hour at the famous lighthouse at Loop ... More
Robert French - Main Street, Tipperary, County Tipperary
Welcome back to everybody and we hope that you all had a most enjoyable Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year! To begin 2018 we have a view of Main Street, Tipperary Town with lots of activity, commerical an... More
Small church with square battlemented tower in graveyard, showing grav...
With a catalogue heading such as that above, identifying this church should perhaps be a doddle(?) On the morning of the winter solstice, the true new year perhaps, we can look forward to longer days, brighter... More
Robert French - St. Helens Bridge, Crawfords Burn
Having spent some time recently down in the sunny South East, or over in beautiful Sligo, it seems appropriate that we visit the wee North. This fine manorial style bridge looks a formidable crossing over a ve... More
Robert French - Wanted Dead or Alive
Another visit to Sligo Town but with a very different view and skyline to that of our visit to "The Quays"! With the detritus of a recent market lying about it doesn't look very attractive but Sligo - the town... More
Robert French - Gridlock in Mallarany
Down the "Wesht" today to Mallarany which I suspect is also known as Mulrany? Mr. French appears to have brought traffic, police, the dogs and the local population all to a standstill. The great saviour of al... More
Robert French - Three lovely lassies
This charming cabinet sized shot from Mr. French shows a street in Enniskillen including three young(ish) ladies with their bicycles in the foreground! I have noticed, though I don't remember anybody commentin... More
Robert French - The Waterfall, Poulaphouca, Co. Wicklow
A beautiful Royal plate of the Waterfall at Poulaphouca, Co. Wicklow. Over the years I have been in that area many times but have never seen this so perhaps it has been inundated?..While not inundated, today's... More
Robert French - The difference between an "N" and an "L"?
The question of the day, apart from the where, when, who of most days is whether the name contains an "N" as in Kincara or and "L" as in Kilcara? I suspect that dating this will not be easy with the lack of id... More
Robert French - Poor Clare's Carlow Convent Congregation Carefully Con...
This fine Royal sized image from the Lawrence Collection of what appears to be a shiny new Poor Clare Convent in Carlow has a gathering of people in their finery for the photograph! We can probably establish t... More
Robert French - The Quays in Sligo - Public domain map
A lovely Lawrence image of the Quays (pronounced in those parts as the "kays") in Sligo town. Taken around the time of the transition from sail to steam, we have a nice mix of sailing vessels and steamers. Ev... More
Robert French - Ducats Grove, Carlow, Co. Carlow
This fairytale castle in Co. Carlow looks more like a child's dream than a mature person's reality. Lines of statues leading to a door guarded by armoured spear bearers. All this was bound to deter the faint ... More
Robert French - Edermine, Co. Wexford
Unusually for a Lawrence Royal plate this image is not quite tack sharp, but it does have a hazy beauty and suggestion "other times" to it! Edermine in County Wexford would appear to be a very big house with w... More
Horses with carts attached, a bicycle and an agricultural implement!
Tullow Street, Carlow, Co. Carlow on a fine day with not too much happening. Dominated by a large religious institution on the right and with a T-junction in the distance this must have been a quiet street out... More
Robert French - Ballsbridge, Co. Dublin
I keep thinking I have seen this photograph before? We are back in Ballsbridge with this fine shot from Mr French. There is a lot going on which would suggest Spring Show or Horse Show? From a dating point of v... More
Robert French - Donnacomper, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
On this Monday we present a fine Lawrence shot of Donnacomper. What can you tell us about it?..And the main things that our contributors "told us about" were the house/estate, and the lads (in the cart) by its ... More
Robert French - What are they all looking at?
Labelled "Castle, Throne Room, Dublin" in the catalogue, no throne room ever looked so airy and informal. But then, of course, this is not Dublin Castle's Throne Room! Instead, a market/fair is in progress so... More
Robert French - Down by the Sea
The title in our catalogue is "Castle, Throne Room, Dublin City, Co. Dublin", which is obviously incorrect. I am not even sure that this is a Lawrence shot, at lease not a typical Lawrence shot. I will list it ... More
Hatters Castle in the trees! - stereoscopic view, public domain photor...
The original title of this Stereo Pairs image is "Long shot over trees, mountain in background, Co. Wicklow" and it is a long shot and a glimpse rather than a full view of a castellated house. No doubt if the ... More
Robert French - Vice-Regal Lodge, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
We have a very special edition for you today - we are posting 3 photos for you to enjoy.. .Sabina Higgins, wife of President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, officially launched our “Photo Detectives” exhibition ... More
Robert French - Vice-Regal Lodge, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
We have a very special edition for you today - we are posting 3 photos for you to enjoy.. .Sabina Higgins, wife of President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, officially launched our “Photo Detectives” exhibition ... More
Robert French - Vice-Regal Lodge Boudoir, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
We have very special edition for you today - we are posting 3 photos for you to enjoy.. .Sabina Higgins, wife of President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, officially launched our “Photo Detectives” exhibition in... More
Robert French - Long Quay, Kinsale, Co. Cork
We are off to the Rebel County today. A fine shot of Kinsale from the Lawrence Collection. It is a shame about the crack in the plate but I do not think that it takes too much away from the photo. ..We have a l... More
Robert French - Roundwood, Co. Wicklow
Roundwood as none of us will have seen it. Irelands highest village looks like a tiny hamlet dominated by a fine stone church with maidens dancing at the crossroads (sorry, I got a bit carried away there)! Ch... More
Robert French - Hotel, Pontoon, Co. Mayo
This was the shot that should have been posted for Halloween and we might have discovered the man with the cloven hoof? Having said that, this shot by Mr. French shows a heavenly scene. And, way back when this... More
"Long shot, rocky fields, hills slated cottages spare trees" is Lough ...
For a change we have an image from the Stereo Pairs Collection today with a rocky road surrounded by rocky fields and rocky walls in various states of repair. There is no indication where this might be though ... More
Robert French - Heavy traffic expected soon
As you can tell from the ladies in the centre of the road, heavy traffic is anticipated any day soon! This beautiful photograph of the Market Square in Dungannon, County Tyrone shows traders all set up in anti... More
Robert French - A little bit misty out there!
Appropriately on Halloween a misty scene, this time in west Kerry, to remind us that summer is well and truly gone and winter is coming with darkness and cold. When this image was taken Halloween was a time fo... More
Robert French - Valencia - Valentia? A storm in a tea-cup?
Perhaps the spot with the most exotic name in Ireland Valencia/Valentia (which ever way you choose to spell it). It looks delightful in the sun, and suitably Mediteranean with the steamer berthed close by! The... More
Robert French - Square, Coalisland, Co. Tyrone
I am weary of Dublin/Cork photographs, and so today I made an executive decision to go up to the "Wee North" today :) This fine Royal plate showing the Square (not the Diamond mind you) in Coalisland. It may b... More
Robert French - Schools, Artane, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
A fascinating view of the Artane Schools with an early iteration of the iconic band on display. The Musical Director appears to be front and centre and many of the typical band instruments are on display but I... More
Robert French - Protecting his friend or standing over the vanquished?
The calm after the storm gives us time to visit the National Museum - our sister institution across the yard. The title of this shot is "Museum, Dublin" and of course it is likely in the museum in Dublin. A f... More
Robert French - College Green, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
King Billy on his horse, horse trams, horse cabs, a very clean College Green and apparently a bright sunny day, all add up to a very different shot to yesterdays DeValera train! Having said that to provide a ... More
Robert French - Dublin Castle and the State Apartments from the lawn
This fine view of the rear of Dublin Castle and the facade of the State Apartments by Robert French keeps us in Dublin city for yet another day! Very little has changed in this scene in the intervening 100+ ye... More
Robert French - Liffey, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
Monday morning should be somewhat dismal as the start of yet another week, but this Lawrence image should cheer people up! The River Liffey as none of us has ever seen it - with a bridge that no longer exists (... More
Robert French - Fair Day, Bantry, Co. Cork
To end the week we have a Lawrence Cabinet sized image of a Fair Day in Bantry, Co. Cork!. I can see creels and carts, horses and donkeys, men and women, bowlers and flatcaps but it will take some searching to... More
Robert French - Feltrim Hill, Swords, Co. Dublin
Feltrim Hill in Swords looking down on Charles J. Haughey's old home and the Swords, Malahide and Howth in the distance. This was a prominent landmark in its time and was built on a rare (for Ireland) outcrop ... More
Robert French - Glen of Imaal, Co. Wicklow
The Glen of Imaal - Gleann Uí Mháill - the Bare Glen but not the Glen itself but rather Leitrim Castle in the Glen. If you are not confused by now then I hope that there will be clarity by the evening? As the... More
Statue of Frederick, east of Belfast, d.1858, College Square, Belfast,...
A Stereo Pairs image today and a fine example of how a typo by a cataloguer can send the innocent researcher off on a wild good chase. This time into the waves of the Irish Sea :) "Frederick, east of Belfast" ... More
Robert French - General View, Dalkey, Co. Dublin
A Monday morning with a view! Dalkey from the heights was a small village at that time, scattered and with a great sea view. At first I thought those rocks in the foreground were fence height but looking at t... More
"Quays, Derry City, Co Derry" is actually Derrylin, Co Fermanagh
Confusion reigns, the Quays in Derry have changed direction, instead of running along the river Foyle it appears that they now run out into Lough Erne? Or perhaps the cataloguer is in error on this shot or eve... More
Robert French - R.I.C. Depot, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
Situated just inside the North Circular Road gates to the Phoenix Park these lovely, old, red bricked buildings always seemed separate from the old RIC Depot. Was Mr. French correct in his assertion that it wa... More
Robert French - John and Andrew Fox's house, after eviction, Clongorey...
I know we have been in this area about five years ago, but, I think these eviction photos are so important that they deserve their own day in the spotlight. The research on our eviction related images has been ... More
Robert French - Harbour & Parade, Portstewart, Co. Derry
We are staying north of the border today, in Portstewart to be precise. Having had a good look at the photo I am struck by the three hard working (is that the correct word?) men on the middle pier, they seem to... More
Robert French - Cemetery, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Good morning everyone, the excitement is palpable, the activity is corybantic, preparations are nearing an end, only two more sleeps until the opening of our Flicker exhibition "Photo Detectives" ( http://www.n... More
Robert French - Royal Infirmary, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
For Friday we find ourselves visiting an old friend. I worked with a man once who constantly mixed up his metaphors and he would say of this that it was a case of "veja du"! The Royal Infirmary on Infirmary R... More
Robert French - Crosthwaite Park, Kingstown, Co. Dublin
A shot of a suburban scene in an exclusive area of Kingstown, as it was then known, in County Dublin. The beauty of the seascape, the proximity to the city centre and the easy access to the first railway in Ir... More
Robert French - Dunluce Castle, Giant's Causeway, Co. Antrim
We are somewhat regular visitors to Antrim's Causeway Coast, but had not visited Dunluce Castle ( Dunluce_Castle ) before. As BeachcomberAustralia ( /photos/beachcomberaustralia/ ) points-out, we've ridden th... More
Robert French - Victoria Castle East Gate, Killiney, Co. Dublin
Had I not seen the caption on this image I would have thought that I was looking at a castle in Spain or some far land! A beautiful scene that is nearly on the doorstep of Library Towers! Killiney has changed... More
Robert French - National Museum, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
Library Towers stands on one side, the National Museum stands on the other and the adage "Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet" applies! A very old view of the Museum which will n... More
Robert French - The Grand Stand Hotel, Curragh Camp
The deep treasure chest that is the Lawrence Collection is the gift that keeps on giving. Today we are treated to a lovely cabinet sized plate of the Grand Stand Hotel at the Curragh Racecourse in County Kilda... More
Robert French - Ice House, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Today we will leave politics aside for a while as we visit Ballina in Co. Mayo and a fabulous house on the banks of the beautiful Moy! I spent a lot of time there as a child but I must admit that this house do... More
Robert French - Peelers and Bailiffs at Somers Fort
An eviction or rather a destruction at Somers Fort, Coolroe. When I first saw the title I thought of a military fort in the fastnesses of Donegal but looking at the construction of this substantial farmhouse a... More
Robert French - Blackwater River, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford
A fine stretch of river at Cappoquin with sidecar, driver and observer. I think that the beauty of the Blackwater is oftentimes overlooked. Perhaps as it is not as storied as rivers such as the Lee, the Liffey... More
"Modern Gothic church or institutional / ecclesiastical building much ...
A Gothic masterpiece to end July and welcome August! This looks very institutional today but may have been the height of architectural fashion in its day? Where is it and who built it?..Derangedlemur ( /photo... More
Robert French - Posers in the sunny South East
If you feel a sense of 'déja vu' or even if you feel you have seen this all before then you are correct. It is Wexford but taken from the other bank of the Slaney and showing the town and its skyline in the di... More
Robert French - No dogs will dine here by God!
The Royal Hospital Kilmainham dining hall in all its splendour with the panoply of war (in case anyone might forget its residents former calling)! A building that seemed destined to be made derelict, but has b... More
"River, single arch bridge in foreground, small modern church, adjoini...
I just love putting up these images from the Stereo Pairs Collection! There is something other worldly about them, a really distinctive view into the past and in stereo to boot! This image with its long and c... More
Robert French - Cemetery, Glasnevin, Co. Dublin
Back to the dead centre of the capital this morning, to the cemetery at Glasnevin in North Dublin. A place that not so long ago nobody bar mourners visited, which has since become a considerable tourist attrac... More
Robert French - Camp, Birr, Co. Offaly
And faithfully following French's journey in the Faithful County we have a military camp with serried lines of "bell tents" inside/outside a military base. This was either when the army were on a war footing o... More
Robert French - The Ponte Vecchio, Birr, Co. Offaly
Today we are staying in the Faithful County with a fine photo of the Old Bridge at Birr. I have been to Birr a few times, and I do not remember seeing a bridge like this - I wonder if it is still there?..Sharon... More
Robert French - Kinnetty Village, Birr, Co. Offaly
The Lawrence Collection and the work of Mr. French really is a joy to behold! Each day seems to offer a view of a new place, a new element of an Ireland long gone and a charming insight into a country before t... More
Robert French - Main St. Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford
'A soft day thank God', with the wet roads giving proof of a recent rainfall. Edgeworthstown is a charming wee town with a good sized main street set in an emerald green countryside. The growth of traffic rend... More
Robert French - Laurence's Gate, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Laurence by Lawrence? Not quite (as Mr. French was the photographer), but this is a view that we can still replicate. Apart from the intrusion of the ubiquitous car that is. Drogheda is a town with a long and... More
Robert French - Bridge St. Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
A fine royal plate from the ubiquitous Mr. French to end the week, and a visit to the Wesht, to Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo (God help us). A nice view down a long, straight street apparently leading to a bridge, with... More
Robert French - Fitzwilliam Square, Wicklow, Co. Wicklow
Now I am having a touch of "deja vu". I think mainly because I was down in Wicklow recently, though I didn't know that this was called Fitzwilliam Square. Not quite as elegant and expensive as the one in Dubli... More
Robert French - Courtown Harbour, Co. Wexford
Staying down in 'yellowbelly country' once again, but this time the tourist attraction that is Courtown rather than the thriving port of Wexford. This is a beautiful image with great clarity showing the natural... More
Robert French - The Quay, Wexford, Co. Wexford
Leaving the politics of the early 20th century behind we begin this week with an image by Robert French of the Quays in Wexford. Masts, handcarts, ropes, idlers, cargo, sailing ships, paddle steamers - the pla... More
"Unidentified castle on seashore" is Blackrock Castle
This somehow familiar (yet so far unidentified) castle on the shore of the sea or an estuary is todays fare. I know I've seen it before, and have an idea where it might be, but I would be guessing. Whereas it ... More
"Unidentified photograph from the Stereo-pair collection" is Theatre R...
This fine, multi storey, building with a Royal coat of arms on the pediment should be readily identifiable - yet it remains labelled as unidentified in the NLI archives. Now is the chance to begin the week on ... More
Robert French - Main Street North, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry
Where better to go on a Friday than the Kingdom of Kerry, Cahirciveen to be precise. We are right on the Wild Atlantic Way and I bet all of the people we see in this photo would be fascinated by the whole conce... More
Robert French - Lady Louise's Bridge, Lismore, Co. Waterford
Today we have a very pleasant landscape from Waterford. I know Lismore is famous for the Munster Blackwater, but this river seems far too small to be it? All details on Lady Louise will also be very welcome. .... More
Robert French - Trinity College, Botany Bay, Dublin City
I have never heard of "Botany Bay" in the context of Trinity College. Of course the real Botany Bay holds an important position in Irish history - more for transportation of convicts rather than anything to do ... More
Robert French - Bryansford House, Newcastle, Co. Down
For a dull and wet Thursday morning in Dublin we head up to the "Wee North" today to gather some sunshine in Newcastle! Bryansford House looks like a significant pile with a certain symmetry to its frontage su... More
Renmore Barracks, Galway City - once home to the Connaught Rangers.
The home station of the Connaught Rangers Regiment of the British Army is today's image from the Lawrence Collection. Once a proud and distinguished regiment with many battle honours, it became famous in the I... More
The folks that live on the hill - in Renny, Co. Cork
I'm not sure where "Renny" is, but it seems an ideal situation for a farmstead that might fear attack from the natives. Water in plentiful supply, trees and grass aplenty and a high stance for lookout and defe... More
Robert French - Slums, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
You would have to class this as an atypical Lawrence shot, we see very little interest in the camera or the photographer. I notice that the photo is labeled Brown Street, a street which is not immediately famil... More
Robert French - Lady's Island, Co. Wexford
Believe it or not this photo was selected because it was felt that it would sit well in our "Focus on our Photographers" album. I will leave it up to you to discover the reason for its inclusion. As a bonus we ... More
Robert French - Lucan steam train
This photograph reminds me of a painting by Jack B. Yeats titled "In the Tram" I have also seen it described as "In the Lucan Tram" and "The Merry Wives of Lucan" The painting is owned by our near neighbours t... More
"Large public building, railings, steps, 6 columns in portico, 2 guns ...
Another stereo pair image in single format for better viewing! This fine building defended by two unworkable cannon on high plinths looks very impressive and imposing whereever it may be. A nice way to end th... More
"Church ruins with pointed arches" is Kildare Cathedral
"Church ruins with pointed arches and 3 light window adjoining maintained, or possibly modern, square tower, glazed windows"..When is a Stereo Pair not a Stereo Pair? When someone cuts it in two and shows it a... More
Robert French - Marconi Calling
Marconi Station Clifden, Connemara..I received a lovely gift of a biography on Marconi at Christmas. The book by Marc Raboy is subtitled "The man who networked the world". What an interesting man he was, I was... More
Croagh Patrick, Westport, Co. Mayo and a whole lot more.
Down the Wesht today to Co.Mayo, God help us, with a distant view of Irelands Holy Mountain and a whole lot more! This lovely Royal sized glass plate has some excellent detail on the coastal location, with mix... More
Robert French - Ulster Hall, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Having enjoyed a week celebrating the life and photography of the late Elinor and Reginald Wiltshire we are back this week with an image by the legendary Robert French. This fine cabinet sized glass plate of t... More
Robert French - Grand Parade, Cork City, Co. Cork
Grand Parade as I've never seen it, half empty, no buses, no crowds and with the fountain in a different place! Cork has proven to be a happy hunting ground for us in the past, so for this week's final contrib... More
Robert French - St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
This amazing shot of St. Patricks Cathedral taken by Mr. French could probably never be repeated. Not at least short of knocking down buildings and recreating others! It creates a vision of a very open and spa... More
Robert French - But where's the Recess?
This beautiful landscape of Lough Inagh in Connemara in cabinet size by Lawrence is todays image! I always wondered about the name 'Recess' and where it came from. Perhaps today we might learn more?..While we ... More
![Robert French - GNR [i.e. Great Northern Railway] Station, Belfast](https://cache.getarchive.net/Prod/thumb/cdn2/L3Bob3RvLzE5MzAvMTIvMzEvZ25yLWllLWdyZWF0LW5vcnRoZXJuLXJhaWx3YXktc3RhdGlvbi1iZWxmYXN0LTVlZTAzNS0xMDI0LmpwZw%3D%3D/40/30/webp "Robert French - GNR [i.e. Great Northern Railway] Station, Belfast")
Robert French - GNR [i.e. Great Northern Railway] Station, Belfast
For such an important city on the island this station looks somewhat modest and unassuming, not quite what one might expect for so fine a city as Belfast. There is certainly plenty of activity there however, w... More
Robert French - Traffic Jam in Main Street, Delgany, Co. Wicklow
This Lawrence image of Main Street, Delgany is in considerable contrast to today's reality. This was taken when it was a tiny village, the centre of a rural community with few people, and when three horses and... More
"One-storey building, possibly a railway station, with steps, and 4 co...
Though the catalogue description implies this classical style building was in Limerick City, this Stereo Pairs image is going to take some identifying! Because, it is certainly not the railway station in Limer... More
Robert French - General View, Bruckless, Co. Donegal
This is the second time in recent weeks that Bruckless has been mentioned on this stream! This fine Royal sized plate taken by Mr. French shows the remote rural area of the time in fine detail. The other pass... More
The Court is not in Session! The Courthouse, Dundalk, Co. Louth
The court may not be in session, but there is a lot of business taking place outside its precincts! A market taking place in the shadow of the Courthouse in the centre of Dundalk town seems a little incongruou... More