I’ve come across a treasure trove (copyright-free) of the photographs of one of Ireland’s earliest photographers. The best part is that he lived in West Cork. Here he is with his wife – she seems to be ignoring him, intent on her embroidery. Is he saying – “That’s good, stay nice and still” or maybe “Would it kill you to smile at the camera?”
Do you know who it is? Answers on a postcard, please. This is a very brief post as Robert and I are immersed in the West Cork History Festival this weekend – a full post about this photographic collection and the man who took them will follow, so this is just to whet your appetite.
My lead photograph was of the mystery photographer’s version of Rineen Bridge, just west of Union Hall. Above is my photograph of this picturesque bridge, and below is Robert French’s photo from the Lawrence Collection, taken around the 1880s of the same bridge.
I’ll finish, for now, with a place most of you may know well – here’s Bantry House as it looked in the 1860’s, 160 years ago.
Roaringwater Journal 
Hi Finola,
Can you contact me privately please in relation to the Early Irish Photographer blog please.
Many thanks,
Richard.
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This looks very promising!
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Thanks for the “teaser” Finola. Fascinating stuff. I particularly appreciate the one of the Béal a’Chinn Mara Bridge, as I spent a delightful few hours photographing it myself back in 2017. Apart from the foliage, it seems to have changed little over the years. I may be wrong, but would I be correct in identifying these as calotypes and therefore guessing possibly 1850’s? Really looking forward to your next posting and more images and information about their maker.
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You’re bang on, Richard. Sunday will tell the rest of the story.
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Great photos Finola and I’m. looking forward to seeing the rest of them. The bridge is know as Béal a’Chinn Mara Bridge locally and it is easy to see why it was so named looking at Robert French’s photo.
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Cinn Mara us also the name of the area at the top of the inlet at Leap.
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What a teaser, looking forward to the rest. Hope the festival was a great success.
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Festival went well!
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Rineen Bridge-I remember it well -I cycled on it every day for five years while attending secondary school in Skibbereen from Union Hall in the 1950s.
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That’s a great memory, Brendan.
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I so appreciated these wonderful photos. My Mother was 1/4 Irish, so I would love to visit this area some day. Please – more photos like this, if you have any! Many thanks.
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Next week!
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As fascinating as ever – thank you
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Sir Jocylen Coghill
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Aha – local knowledge!
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😉
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I think it may be sir Jocylen Coghill. Or another of that Castletownshènd family
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I agree, Sir Jocylen Coghill.
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Clever you!
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