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Kildare is a county that is steeped in rich culture from the horse racing fields of the Curragh to the beautiful canals that flow through villages and towns like Sallins and Athy.  The Grand Canal is an ideal place for activities like angling, boating, canoeing, sailing and rowing, the banks of the canal are very popular for walking and cycling. There are many former churches and castles dotted around Kildare that add to the scenery of this fine Irish county.St Patrick’s College Maynooth (below, click image to view larger version) was founded in 1795 as a seminary for the education of priests and by 1850 had become the largest seminary in the world.  The Bishops began to look for a site and it was desirable that the college be near Dublin.  This seminary was urgently needed because in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries it had not been possible to educate Catholic priests in Ireland.  The chapel, built by public subscription, was initiated by Charles W. Russell, President from 1857 to 1880.  St Patrick’s College also has a university as part of the campus.  Thousands of students from the four corners of Ireland and abroad attend the university each year.Naas Courthouse (below, click image to view larger version) was constructed in 1807 to a design by Architect Richard Morrison, it was extended in 1860 when the four columned portico was positioned as it is today.  The Naas Courthouse was the original meeting place of the Poor Law Guardians who held their monthly meetings as did their successors Kildare County Council, from 1899 until the building was badly damaged by fire in the 1950s, which caused them to move to St. Mary’s.  The Criminal Courtroom was the setting for many films, due to its remarkable resemblance to the Old Bailey in London.Theobald Wolfe Tone one of the leaders of the 1798 Rebellion, was a leading figure in the United Irishmen Irish Independence movement and is regarded as the father of Irish Republicanism.  After his death he was buried at Bodenstown, Kildare in 1798 near to Sallins where his family had a farm (below, click image to view larger version).The Japanese Gardens (below, click image to view larger version) were devised by Colonel William Hall Walker, a wealthy Scotsman from a famous brewing family, the gardens were laid out by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru.  Their aim was, through trees, plants, flowers, lawns, rocks and water, to symbolise the ‘Life of Man’.  That plan was completed to perfection and Eida’s legacy is now admired by the 150,000 visitors who soak up the peace of the gardens every year.In conclusion Kildare is a great place for either a short visit or holiday and Kildare also has a good transport network. From my work scanning the photographs I noticed that bicycle and horse and cart were popular forms of transport in the 1950s. Click images below to see larger versions. . The Fáilte Ireland Tourism Photographic Collection was donated to Dublin City Library and Archive.  The black and white negatives and colour slides date from the 1930s until the 2000s, they give a significant amount of visual information about Kildare throughout the decades.About our Guest BloggerThis blog post was submitted by Deirdre Coleman while on work experience in Dublin City Library and Archive, October 2016. 

I am currently digitizing photographs from the Fáilte Ireland Photographic Collection at Dublin City Library & Archive. These photos date from back to about the 1930s up until the present day. There are also negatives, in all sizes from glass plates to 5x4 negatives to small 35mm. The negatives are in good condition and due to their size they retain a great amount of quality.The photos for the most part are of Ireland's popular tourist destinations but also of places that are historically important. The photos show the unique beauty of Ireland and its unique culture. The boxes are organized by county. So I started with Wicklow as it is where I am from. After getting through several photos I found one funny picture of a lady hugging a cross and later on I found one similar. It was from Glendalough. I’ve been to Glendalough a lot; my grandparents are buried there. I’ve never noticed this large cross and certainly never noticed anyone hugging it. The cross is 'St Kevin's Cross' or 'The Wishing Cross'.Another picture that caught my eye was of a cross that was standing inside what looked like an old stone room. This cross was distinctive in its appearance. The cross appeared to be cracked in several places and also had a relief of a crucifixion on it. What also struck me was its location as if it was in storage or locked away.View the photos on flickr.The Wishing CrossSt Kevin's Cross as it is also known is almost four meters high. It stands in the graveyard near to the cathedral. The name 'Wishing Cross' derives from the legend that anyone who comes to the cross should try to embrace it. If they can wrap their arms fully around it and touch their hands on the other side a wish can be granted. The cross was dug and straightened and reinforced in 1989 so today it looks different from the pictures from Fáilte Ireland which are from between the 1940s and 1950s.The Market CrossThis Cross dates from about the 12th century. The name comes from the original location of the cross. It stood near the front of the entrance gateway where a market took place. Due to increasing traffic it was moved in 1912 to St Kevin's Kitchen where it stood before being placed in the visitor's centre. The cross was rebuilt from several different pieces in the 19th century. These different pieces show evidence of different types of wear and decay so it is believed they could have been used for different functions. Another piece seems to have been buried for some time. The pieces were found scattered around the Glendalough site.  The cross features the figure of the crucified Christ with another figure under him, possibly a saint or bishop.All black and white photographs are from the Fáilte Ireland Photographic Collection, Dublin City Library & Archive. See more Fáilte Ireland images in 'Through the Looking Glass': Tourism in Dublin 1940s-1950sAbout our Guest BloggerWritten by Joe Melican, Solas Student in the National Print Museum, on work experience in Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street.

Digging through the photographic collections of the Dublin & Irish Collections, Pearse Street, I came across this set of photos from May 31st 1985. These photos were of the instantly recognisable collection of beards known as the ‘The Dubliners’ standing on a bridge playing music. The event was the unveiling of a plaque that announced the renaming the Ballybough Bridge to the Luke Kelly Bridge.

Technology is an ever-changing form for the collection and communication of information. What happens, however, when the form of equipment is no longer the current practice of collecting information? What happens when the method is out dated and showing its age? At Dublin City Library and Archive, the staff work hard to preserve the documented history of Ireland even in its less prevalent forms. Numerous images were generously donated from Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority.

These photographs tell a part of the story of tourism in Dublin, offering an insight into how the city has been seen from both the inside and out. The timeline created by these images allows for an interesting comparison between then and now.

This image gallery shows a selection from the photographs and slides of the amateur photographer, William Stafford.  He took most of these pictures during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The collection contains a great variety of images, from the imposing form of Queen Victoria in the days after she was moved from her plinth outside Leinster House, to the derelict courts and alleys of the mid-20th century city. There are images here of Nelson’s Pillar just after the explosion of March 1966, the old Queen's Theatre, of flower sellers and fishmongers and street urchins. Many of the places he photographed,  such as Hospital Lane in Islandbridge, have now disappeared or  have changed beyond recognition. There are also images of the family business; the Stafford brothers started out importing  coal and salt to their works on Ormond Quay, eventually concentrating on salt importation and packaging.The Stafford Collection material  was retrieved by Jeremy Wales of the City Architects Division, and Charles Duggan, Heritage Officer, Dublin City Council, during clearance works to facilitate the development of the ‘Dublin House’ project at 29-30 Fishamble Street, the former home of  William Stafford.  Now held in Dublin City Library and Archive, it includes postcards, business and family papers and a large collection of religious ephemera.  The siblings Angela and William appear to have been very religious, and one of their sisters, Cissie, became a Carmelite nun. One of the most interesting parts of the collection is the photographic element.  On retrieval, the slides and prints had been left for years in unsuitable conditions, and were in very poor condition.  Apart from a little work on the colour slides, we have not done any restoration work on the images as yet, so the viewer will get a real sense of the years that this material lay neglected in the dark and damp house in Fishamble Street.The main reason for publishing this gallery is to bring the images captured by William Stafford back into the light. We also hope that it will be seen by members of the extended Stafford family and that they will get back to us with more information on the fortunes of the family and especially on William, our photographer. Finally we are anxious to establish whether anyone has a claim to the material, and whether it can be made freely available to the people of Dublin, as we feel William Stafford would have liked.View the Stafford Image Gallery. 

Although provision had been made for the establishment of free public libraries in Ireland since 1855 it was not until 1883 that Dublin Corporation formed a Public Libraries Committee. In April, 1883, the committee recommended "that two libraries be established at an annual cost of 1,000 pounds; from the Borough Funds and that a Committee be appointed to establish and manage the libraries".

For over 180 years, Dublin zoo has been known to house a vast array of wildlife. In its early years, the zoo was home to 46 mammals and 72 birds all donated by the London Zoo. Dublin Zoo has been transformed over the years to what it is today: Ireland’s largest family attraction. The images from the Fáilte Ireland Photographic Collection show these treasured animals thriving and coexisting with each other between the spring of 1960 and the summer of 1961.

An American studying in Ireland has the opportunity for many adventures and cultural experiences. Although I never thought my experiences would enable me to search for a nameless face in an intriguing old photograph. But somehow it did and I’m certainly glad it did.As a student at Trinity College pursuing my Master’s in Public History and Cultural Heritage, I decided to take on my internship at the Dublin City Library and Archive (DCLA); I knew I wanted to work with people and photographs and I felt this was the place to do it.As I searched through the countless photographs at DCLA, I sought to discover a face with a story, even though that story was at the time unknown to me.Towards the end of my search of the photographic collection, I saw an attractive young face with a candid expression looking up at me. I was immediately drawn to the photo and knew it had the potential to serve me well with my endeavour.Without a name or much information to work with I, with the help of DCLA staff, researched the photo and mainly through social media, found the man I had been searching for - Mark Leddy, a Dubliner born and raised.As soon as I contacted Mark (who was very open towards my project), I learned that he was a man with a particular sarcastic Irish style who challenged me to develop complementary questions to suit his unique persona.Above: Mark Leddy by the 8th Lock next to Ballyfermot in the late 1980s. (click to view larger image)I had the privilege to interview Mark in order to gain insight during the time in which the photo was taken to today and how he and the city have changed.The photograph was taken when Mark was 13 or 14 years old, in the late 1980s by the 8th Lock on the Grand Canal next to Ballyfermot. Highly interested in the arts at a young age, he presumes he was writing a poem when the photo was taken.“At the time I wanted to be seen as an artist,” he explains. He also recalls he was listening to The Doors with the headphones around his neck as he “wanted to be Jim Morrison.”During this time Mark always had his head in the clouds. “When I grew up I wanted to live inside Back to the Future. That was my projected future; that’s what I wanted out of life, fantasy,” Mark recalls.As we chatted, it became clear that the arts played a major role in Mark’s upbringing and thus, in how he looks upon Ireland – both in the past and nowadays.During the interview, he even went on to recite verses from W.B. Yeats’ September 1913. Mark believes “The old romantic Ireland we thought existed is gone” and that “Ireland has become a souvenir to the rest of the world.”He recognises that the city has changed a great deal, like every place it has its challenges but reveals that “it’s a beautiful place with some beautiful people.”Growing up Mark believed the world loved the Irish and that “wherever we go we’re welcomed.”Today when he’s with people from abroad, they typically say they love the Irish. Speaking about Dublin in particular, he insists “people have some romantic view of the city.” And if they have an Irish heritage, they are going to see it a bit more romantically than it actually is.Above: Mark Leddy by the 8th Lock next to Ballyfermot in 2015. (click to view larger image)Mark is pensive as he reflects upon Dublin, “It’s as many splendored as the streets.”“People come to the city, they walk up ten streets, they visit nine pubs and they have great fun. And then they somehow have a highly detailed view of the city. I don’t even have it and I’ve been living here all my life.”Yet, Dublin is home for Mark, it’s familiar; “The more you walk the same path the more you know the path.”It’s his hometown and he will live and probably die here. Although, the ideal home for Mark would be in a remote cabin, “maybe a little babbling brook to get the water from in the morning. Just get away from everyone. I’d love to be a mountain man,” he says.To get away from the bustling city, Mark enjoys spending time along the canal; he walks the same paths as where the photo was taken over thirty years ago.“Nowadays the place that gets the most out of me is the canal.” He walks his dog in the area every day for three to four hours. He also keeps himself busy by doing a variety of activities such as reading, listening to music, and watching movies. “I keep myself interested in things; I’m rarely bored.”Mark is also an avid photographer. About a year ago, a friend introduced him to long exposure photographs at night. He took one photo and was “amazed and then just hooked.”Then in the following months he wandered the city every night at two in the morning to capture the perfect image.Soon after, he discovered photographing people. “That’s tough but when it works they’re great photos. And my trick is not to pose them; I don’t like posed images. And you can pose them without posing, you can do that if you’re clever enough. For me the photograph is a crayon that does what you want,” he quips.With Dublin’s rich diversity of people and culture, it’s an excellent place to have the hobby of photography. There are “characters that will keep you entertained all day. What else are you going to do all day? There are some very funny (humorous) people in Dublin.”Dublin will continue to stand witness to Mark Leddy’s life, just as Mark Leddy will continue his observations and impressions of the city. The two will interact and influence each other just as they always have and ultimately, Mark Leddy’s path will continue to be the evolving face of a Dubliner.About our Guest Blogger, Emily CooksonEmily is a student at Trinity College Dublin pursuing her Master’s degree in Public History and Cultural Heritage. Emily worked on a project designed to bring both the past and present into focus, revitalizing photographs of the past and placing them into terms of modernity. Emily put out a call in February for information about a number of individuals  featured in photographs from the past, in order to learn more about their lives, their personal history and memory, and the circumstances of when the photographs were taken. This is one such story to emerge from that call.

We thought this scan from last Saturday when members of the public came along to the Mansion House to share their memories of said beautiful building particularly interesting. Might you agree?The photo (see below) shows the winner of the 1977 Men's World dancing championship, Jimmy Johnston from Dundalk, centre, together with the runner-up and third placed. . The event of course took place in the Round Room of the Mansion House.  Many thanks to Jimmy for permissions to use the photo.Note the runner-up, one Mike Flatley from Chicago. I wonder... ?Click the image below to view larger version.Share Your MemoriesCelebrating Bealtaine and 300 years as the official Mayoral residence, The Mansion House and Dublin City Public Libraries invite you to share your memory with us on Wednesday 27th May. You can share these memories and even to bring along old photographs you have of the Mansion House. You can also come along and soak up the atmosphere of this splendid residence of Dublin’s first citizen by going on a tour of the magnificent building.What is your favourite memory of the Mansion House? Have you been to a concert, a craft fair, a reception or a ball?You may have visited the live animal crib with your children, or witnessed a Freedom of the City conferral ceremony on the Forecourt.Whatever your memory, please join us to share your photos and stories as part of The Mansion House programme to celebrate 300 years as the official Mayoral residence and a cornerstone in Dublin city. The Library Learning Bus will be at the Mansion House Forecourt, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Wednesday 27th May. A guided tour will take place at 11am (places are limited - advance booking essential).  The house will be open from 12pm to 4pm for walk-through viewings.For further information and to book a place on the tour, please contact the Mansion House. T.  222 6200. E. [email protected]