Historic photographs go on public display

A HISTORIC collection of 19th century photographs, depicting life on a rural Co Tipperary estate and some unique images of the First World War, has been unveiled at the University of Limerick.

As part of National Heritage Week, the Glucksman Library at UL has announced a public exhibition of historic photographs from the Armstrong Collection of Moyaliffe Castle, Co Tipperary.

This exhibition features photographs from the Armstrong Papers held in the Special Collections Department of the university.

The collection dates from the 1860s to the 1980s and includes images of life on a rural Irish estate.

Exhibition highlights include a unique set of images of the First World War, including from the Battle of Gallipoli, taken by Captain William Armstrong.

Also featured in the collection are images of labourers and farming activities on the estate in the early 1900s, sporting events from the 1920s-1980s and family and social gatherings and images of architectural interest from Ireland and Britain.

The collection includes more than 13,000 photographs.

“The collection provides a remarkable source of information about the Armstrongs and their tenants and of life in Co Tipperary over the course of three centuries.

The Armstrong family originated in the Royalist Scottish border country where Sir Thomas Armstrong had been among the supporters of King Charles II throughout the Civil War,” Ken Bergin, special collections librarian at the Glucksman Library explained.

The exhibition runs from Monday to Friday at the Glucksman Library at the University of Limerick, from 9am to 5pm until September 2.