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.