Ocean liners: R.M.S. Titanic? - Public domain ocean liner image
Harland and Wolff Shipbuilding Yard, R.M.S. Olympic on the stocks (Ships Cradle). ..The evidence suggests that this is not the R.M.S Olympic, rather the tragic R.M.S Titanic, while we are delighted with this an... More
Red Bay Arch, with man on bicycle
This morning we go up north to the Arch at Red Bay and a fine upright bicycle. ..With thanks to B-59 ( /photos/66311327@N05/ ) , swordscookie ( /photos/swordscookie/ ) and beachcomberaustralia ( /photos/beach... More
Sloops at anchor in harbour, lighthouse on outcrop in distance
While there is something here for those interested in different sail-plans (Wikipedia) ( Sail-plan ) , I guess the main question here was always going to be "where are we". And in particular whether this Mason ... More
Dunne, Biplane lantern slide
This could be fun. who, where, when, what?..Niall McAuley ( /photos/gnmcauley/ ) was on the ball with this one right from kick off, he quickly identified the "Dunne" as John William Dunne!..Dunne worked initi... More
St. Patrick, vessel, at Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford
Welcome to a new week and a new set of NLI photographs for your attention. Today we start with a shot from the Mason Collection showing a ship moored at Rosslare Harbour...Following input from B-59 ( /photos/6... More
Lough Erne shrine, lantern slide
From Christendom to Christianity the National Library of Ireland has it all! Christendom is a townland in the Waterford area but it would appear that yesterdays cricket match took place in Cork. Today's shrin... More
A Great Irish Light during World War I
You have to admire the people who first inhabited this Rock, it cannot ever have been easy. You have to admire the people who first thought of building a Lighthouse here, what a feat of engineering. Of course w... More
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...
To end the week and to stay beside the sea as we have for the past few days we go to the Mason Collection. This doesn't look like anyplace in Ireland that I know? Was Mr. Mason out forring?..And indeed derang... More
"Europe leaning to the right" is Antwerp
A Mason image for today with a scene apparently from the Continent of Europe around the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries! The scene is dominated by distinctive church buildings but the street is alive with ... More
Corner boy and cottages in Kinsale
A fine Monday morning to be alive and standing outside stone cottages in the beautiful town of Kinsale in County Cork. An unusual image from the Mason Collection given that he used them for lectures and genera... More
The ashes of despair, Donegal, Ireland
From the Hallowed Halls of Library Towers to the ultimate in human desolation for todays photograph. A wee cottage in Glenbeigh has been reduced to its constituent parts, the walls a mere pile of stones. The ... More
"Elderly man at fence: A summer afternoon in Surrey" is Shere near Gui...
May I ask you to spare a thought today for our hardest working Morning Mary who is recovering from a recent operation. This is perhaps one of the most challenging photographs we have ever posted. I will be amaz... More
GIGFY-VG, lantern slide, Dublin, Ireland
A Guinness fermenting house in St. James Gate, Dublin as one of the stock from the Mason Collection. At the time of Mr. Mason's lectures, the Guinness Brewery was considered to be the biggest brewery in the wo... More
Stone Font, Tallaght, Co. Dublin
This enormous stone bowl or font stands/stood in Tallaght in South County Dublin. The creation of such a font must have been a great undertaking at the time and have taken a long time to complete. What was it... More
Home, sweet home!, lantern slide
The National Library of Ireland, Library Towers, Home Sweet Home, or the bunker. Whatever you might call it, you will never see it quite like this! Taken long before somebody decided to put the Dáil (parliamen... More
Smallest castle in Malahide, Dublin, Ireland
Malahide Castle is famous for its size, the grounds and the Talbot family who lived there in the past and on the road to Portmarnock a Martello tower has been converted into a fairytale home but this is the sma... More
Scholars captured by the dreaded attendance officer!
The dreaded School Attendance (aka Truancy) Officer was the terror of all those who might be tempted to mitch from school in years gone by. In this interesting Mason image, titled in the catalogue as "'Mitche... More
Where Meath meets Wicklow - The Earl of Meath's house in Kilruddery.
Good morning all and welcome back after the May weekend (here in Ireland) at least! The sun shone, we've had our summer and now we can settle back to three months of steady rain. This Mason shot of the Earl o... More
Chambers Motors Ltd: 'A body building shop'. Hogg/Belfast.
An unusual image today from the Mason Collection! A body building shop in Belfast where Chambers Motors Limited ( Chambers_Motors ) apparently built the bodies of motor cars. When you visualise the robot ass... More
The blessings of Saint Patrick be upon you all!
This Mason lantern slide of St. Patrick curing a sick man is appropriate for the day that is in it! Patrick was a Welshman who as a boy was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave. He was put minding s... More
Dolman with support stones instrinsic to structure
To the Mason Collection today and a megalithic tomb somewhere or other. Our cataloguer in the library is somewhat in error in his/her spelling - as a 'dolman' this is not! As far as I know (AFAIK in modern pa... More
Renaissance Residence as Rustic Rural Retreat?
A visit to the Mason Collection today and to a very fancy "Hatters Castle" type dwelling in County Westmeath. While it looks formidable those windows and doors probably indicate that it was never intended to r... More
Thomas O'Criothan, Author, Great Blasket
Happy Cyber Monday to all and when you are online take a moment to imagine how much life has changed since Tomás O'Críothán walked this earth? Tomás used longhand to write, he will have used the old Irish scri... More
I.S. Varian & Co., brushmakers. North Dublin
To finish off the week we make a visit to the Mason Collection. What a great variety of brushes, I wonder can we identify all the different uses? In the 1911 Census there are 337 people with "brush" as part of ... More
Published image:'An Irish Village'. Cart, man/woman; 2 men and boy ser...
An image straight from Punch Magazine to follow a Polar Expedition by hot air balloon! Peasants in rags supposedly imitating their "betters" from Mr. Mason today! Least said the better?..A fascinating discuss... More
Spitzberg - balloon stored, tethered in shed
If this is a balloon tethered in a shed high up on the Spitzberg then I am a monkeys uncle! Yet another unusual and not in Ireland image from the redoubtable Mr. Mason!..Let's all agree to move on from anythin... More
Légion Irlandaise - Empire Francais. Badge of the Irish
Mr. Mason has come up with some gems in his collection, and I think that this is one of those! The regalia of a soldier in the Irish Brigade(?) in one of the French Empires must be as rare now as hens teeth. ... More
The O'Neill's burial place. Northern Ireland
Following two unidentified images from the Stereo Pairs, we go to a Mason image of a sylvan scenic sepulchre for one of Irelands great families. The O'Neill it says, but which "The O'Neill"? Where is it, and ... More
The Sword of State, Dublin, Ireland
The Sword of State looks like an impressive piece of hardware but I cannot ever remember seeing it being used? Perhaps it is one of those items that just passes by ahead of or behind the dignitaries on state o... More
"Streetscape: photograph: trams, people, loc?" is Glasgow
An interesting locationless selection from the Mason photographic collection for you to ponder. I am going to give you a little tip just to get things moving and I say this with a lot of confidence - this is no... More
No 41: Swiftbrook Upper Mill, with shaft
A very industrial premises in a seemingly dilapidated condition to end the week. Swiftbrook Upper sounds like it may be up in Ulster (to me)! Mr. Mason has presented some very different images to the world - ... More
Queen Elizabeth's Cup, Kilkenny Cathedral. Silver.
I was once accused of being a "pot hunter", when I stood in for a missing team member and we won a race - but I wish it had been a pot as beautiful as this one. What might be the story behind Queen Elizabeths ... More
Pembroke Prep? School, Motor Engine Shop: Cars x 4
A motor engine shop in a Prep school? That seems (A) a little bit extravagant and (B) aimed at a different class of student at a time when class seemed to be everything? This image from the Mason collection i... More
Elephant Rock, lantern slide. Northern Ireland
The aptly named Elephant Rock on a rocky shore is our Mason shot today. It has probably been eroded a little more in the past 100+ years, but it certainly looks like an elephant to this observer. But where is ... More
Mountjoy Brewery, Dublin. Looks like current Mountjoy Prison building.
A Brewery at Mountjoy? Now that would be happiness! Of all the names for a prison, "Mountjoy", the Hill of Happiness? This particular one intrigues me as it has much of the appearance of the prison but would... More
Cups, vases and plates galore!, Dublin, Ireland
There may have been no cup after yesterdays All-Ireland match but there is no shortage of them here! A fine display of pottery and that lovely, old and now rarely used word, "Delph", reminding us of a town in ... More
Shop Interior: silver, gold goods - indicative of wealth/trade.
A Goldsmiths/Silversmiths/Jewellers fine display of opulence, fine workmanship and exclusive showrooms - as a contrast to yesterdays rustic bridge and rural setting! Where was it and who was the owner? Answer... More
Man in river, dredging for pearls. House, cart, at Oughterard.
Today Mason takes us to a place beloved of the 1916 leader, Padraig Pearse! Oughterard or Uachtar Ard in the Connemara region of County Galway. He captures an image of a man pearl fishing - with the duet from ... More
"Elaborate technical wheel" is of course the Laxey Wheel, Isle of Man
We continue today on the magical, mystery tour of the Mason catalogue. An "Elaborate technical wheel, possibly hydro electric generator, figures ascending" a spiral staircase no less - shouldn't be too hard to... More
Standing stones in circle lantern slide
On yesterdays shot there was agreement that Mr. Mason did not leave many clues lying around! Today he has very kindly left many stones to be turned - or not - but will there be any clues beneath them?..Given t... More
"Big House with figures" is Government House, Isle of Man
The "Big House", which was a significant presence in Irish communities down the years, is what we feature today. Labelled in the catalogue as "Big House with figures - adults and children - on lawns", we wonde... More
"Turnwake, with figures at base of flagpole" - is Tynwald Hill, Isle o...
The Turnwake it says! As if that is enough in itself to describe and locate a circular mound with a flagpole in its centre. Well, I must admit that I never heard of it before nor did I ever see an image of it... More
Caledon Hill and monument.. Northern Ireland
Caledon Hill and Monument doesn't mean anything to me without carrying out a search for it so I suspect that it is in the North rather than anywhere down South. A "Nelsons Pillar" style column with a statue at... More
"Genial toff, with monacle, holds passport aloft" is likely Richard Ta...
An interesting photo from Mr Mason. Based on the description here, I am really looking forward to your musings on this one. Good luck...This image was reversed (from the original catalogue orientation) as per c... More
Non-Irish unknown: fountain, with onlookers... is le Parc Brussels
Today another "Magic Lantern" image from the Mason collection with a "foreign" scene on display! A large fountain in a pond with numerous well dressed adults and children enjoying the sights...In typical light... More
Buildings by sea. Men and women, fish, barrels, pile of salt. Smoking ...
On a visit to the collection of the esteemed Mr. Mason today with a pong of fish hanging over all. This old lantern slide shows a scene of great industry with lots of barrels and busy people under the watchful... More
Dublin hand drawn survey, St. Andrew's Church
On behalf of all the Marys we wish you a happy Easter and for those in Ireland enjoy the ceremonies!..Today we have a survey sketch of the area around St. Andrews Church Dublin, with some interesting notations.... More
A priest sitting at the entrance to a cell on Skellig Michael
From the grandeur of Lansdowne House in London to the bleak and magnificent Skellig Michael. Skywalker or Yoda may emerge any moment from the cold stone cell, but Star Wars and space travel were far from the m... More
St. Patrick healing a sick man while the crowd stand by and marvel at ...
According to the Confession of St. Patrick and other texts, St. Patrick was born in Wales and as a boy was captured by Irish raiders and taken to be a slave. Herding sheep on Slemish in modern Northern Ireland... More
"Been's Pillar, Liscannor, with figures" is actually O'Brien's Pillar....
From matters locomotive to matters firmly fixed to the ground for Towering Tuesday. This is "Been's Pillar, Liscannor" according to the catalogue, but I admit that I don't remember seeing it there in my many v... More
'The Rocket' locomotive engine - Stephenson
We are going to start this week with a BANG! A Rocket no less from the Mason collection but this was as Carol would say "out forring!" Mason had many shots in his collection that came from sources other than ... More
'Irish life' paying 'for the jaunt'. One woman and four men, with vari...
For Friday we have a Mason shot with some ruins - the ruins of a tower and the ruins of a coat. I have a feeling that, though we may not have met the tower before, did we meet that coat?..While related catalog... More
Three men at bridge - ads on wall for Lyons cafe and goods.
In Lyons you pays your money and takes your choice, cafe, furniture or funeral, all available here! An interesting shot but where????..B-59 ( /photos/66311327@N05/ ) receives all the plaudits for his investi... More
Informers Corridor, Kilmainham Jail.
From the sunny carefree Bicycle Gymkhana of yesterday to the corridor of fear and shame in Kilmainham Gaol. ..This corridor must have housed desperate men who bore the most despised tag in Irish Nationalist soc... More
T'would put you off the drink!, Dublin, Ireland
While location may not be a problem here, the date might be(?) The presumption that every man in the British Army liked the stuff in these vats could be a bit short of the mark...As predicted we were fairly ce... More
Red Bay Arch, with man on bicycle
This morning we go up north to the Arch at Red Bay and a fine upright bicycle. ..With thanks to B-59 ( /photos/66311327@N05/ ) , swordscookie ( /photos/swordscookie/ ) and beachcomberaustralia ( /photos/beach... More
Map of Europe, lantern slide - Public domain old map
An image today of a bygone age. An age when Europe was replete with Imperial Powers, when Europe dominated huge swathes of the globe with mixed effects. Shortly after this image was created it all came tumblin... More
Labourers' Cottages - An old black and white photo of a house
Quite a bit different from the temporary "Labourer's Hut" we saw from Friday's shot, this Mason image is labelled simply "Labourers' Cottages". Do we think there's enough to go-on to determine where the shot wa... More
Sharman & Neill brush gold ornaments & Antique models. Jeweller/Diamon...
Today we have the longest title this Mary has seen on a photo in the NLI's Commons stream. A fine establishment in central Belfast should make for good searching for those so inclined...And indeed there proved... More
Sloops at anchor in harbour, lighthouse on outcrop in distance
While there is something here for those interested in different sail-plans (Wikipedia) ( Sail-plan ) , I guess the main question here was always going to be "where are we". And in particular whether this Mason ... More
Exterior, Grotty's Coach and Wheel, warehouse/storage depot (is Crotty...
Today we finish with a rather grotty {sorry} shot that had us a little puzzled...Though listed as "Grotty's Coach and Wheel warehouse", with thanks to yellow book ( /photos/yellowbookltd/ ) and Niall McAuley (... More
St. Patrick, vessel, at Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford
Welcome to a new week and a new set of NLI photographs for your attention. Today we start with a shot from the Mason Collection showing a ship moored at Rosslare Harbour...Following input from B-59 ( /photos/6... More
Sir William Chambers - The Casino in Marino
One of my very favourite buildings in Dublin, a love nest with a view, a "trompe l'oeil" in the heart of the capital!..This is different, usually we are dealing with new buildings which have dis-improved over t... More
Cross at Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
This reminds me of the Spencer Tracy film, "Bad day at Blackrock" so the question is which Blackrock is it. A really nice Mason shot to start this week...sharon.corbet ( /photos/129555378@N07/ ) Identified ... More
Kapp & Peterson: Men/women pipe making
What was once a thriving industry and considered the height of fashion is today almost invisible - pipe smoking! While Kapp and Peterson still exist they are a fraction of what they once were. I always loved ... More
Drimnagh Castle, lantern slide, Leinster, Ireland
Staying with the Mason collection we moved a lot closer to Library Towers today. Though the catalogue entry meant we knew what and where today's image subject was, we thought that the community might find some... More
St Gallen, Cathedral, Switzerland
This Mason shot of a church interior has the look of a set from a Stephen King book with the degradation on the plate. It looks to be a vast and beautifully decorated interior but where is it?..I thought this ... More
Factory building with high chimney
This shot of a manufacturing plant was in an unknown location, and while a number of theories were offered on its purpose and location (and headaches for those peering at the poster on the pillar) nothing concr... More
Dolmen or portal tomb? As we are in Wales, perhaps cromlech is best
"Cromlech, St Nicholas, dated 1915"..While this is another from the TH Mason Collection, it is quite a departure from the urban industry of yesterday's shot ( ...nlireland/19137953022/ ) . The catalogue labels ... More
Jacob's biscuit factory, lantern slide
"Jacob's biscuit factory. Men and women at machines/benches, cutting dough into biscuits"..The subject is pretty clear here: The industrious men and ladies of the Jacobs Biscuit Factory. Jacobs were a major emp... More
Port Soderic, Hotel, lantern slide
Shoreline, at curve of land, with single isolated hostelry..A trip to the Isle of Man is always a pleasurable experience and particularly so in this case as it is the first ever visit for this Flickr stream. ..... More
Ocean liners: R.M.S. Titanic? - Public domain ocean liner image
Harland and Wolff Shipbuilding Yard, R.M.S. Olympic on the stocks (Ships Cradle). ..The evidence suggests that this is not the R.M.S Olympic, rather the tragic R.M.S Titanic, while we are delighted with this an... More
Some say Salruck some say Salrock
Salruck Graveyard: Stones/slabs on graves, 2 boys sitting. Connemara. Old 'Pipe Graveyard': Little Killarney...I have seen Salrock on the map provided by Niall McAuley ( /photos/gnmcauley/ ) whereas Inverar... More
Lard Packing House, lantern slide
Lard Packing House: No 61 Barrels/Casks/Flagons: Whiskey?..Whoever wrote the previous line got it wrong, not Whiskey but barrels filled with lard bladders, which of course we now know courtesy of sharon.corbet ... More
O'Neill's Bicycles. EXPLORED #187
This group of workers are proud of their trade and appear happy to pose for Mr. Mason!..Lucania bicycles were manufactured by John O’Neill at the Lucania works in South King Street, Dublin. An advertisement for... More
The Candlemaker, lantern slide, Dublin, Ireland
No 6: Rathbourne's No. 9 Piano and factory candles..An interesting Company which was established in 1488, the oldest continuously trading company in the world, Rathborne Candles has endured everything from plag... More
Queen Victoria and others, Leinster, Ireland
Queen Victoria in carriage with others, at Grafton Street, Dublin...Only last week I was watching a BBC show presented by Michael Portillo where he shares items from the British national archive. In this partic... More
Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit - Happy Saint Patrick's Day
We would like to wish all our viewers and commentators a very Happy Saint Patrick's Day..Today's Photograph (of an earlier print?) is entitled:..Pope Celestine commissions Saint Patrick. ..The last official act... More
Dolmen or portal tomb? As we are in Wales, perhaps cromlech is best
"Cromlech, St Nicholas, dated 1915"..While this is another from the TH Mason Collection, it is quite a departure from the urban industry of yesterday's shot ( ...nlireland/19137953022/ ) . The catalogue labels ... More
Jacob's biscuit factory, Leinster, Ireland
"Jacob's biscuit factory. Men and women at machines/benches, cutting dough into biscuits"..The subject is pretty clear here: The industrious men and ladies of the Jacobs Biscuit Factory. Jacobs were a major emp... More
The Candlemaker, Dublin, Ireland
No 6: Rathbourne's No. 9 Piano and factory candles..An interesting Company which was established in 1488, the oldest continuously trading company in the world, Rathborne Candles has endured everything from plag... More