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Featured Media
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R. Boyle, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
This black and white photograph is of the River Boyle, with the majestic King House and waterfall in the top left background, hidden mostly by trees. Out of sight and opposite the King House is the Abbey Park, or the "Pleasure Grounds" as it is still called by the locals. This contains now only the plinth on which once stood the statue of King William 111 erected by King family.
Image is present on following page(s): Lakes and Rivers
R. Boyle, Boyle, Co. Roscommon -
Boat Harbour, Rockingham, Boyle
This pleasant harbour, still in use today, portrays the majesty and wealth of the Rockingham estate. Taken circa 1900 the two boatmen have nautical attire and are in charge of a rowing boat with the British flag proudly mounted on the stern. The building in the background with the arched bridge is a crenellated gazebo known as "The Temple". It provides an ideal spot from which to observe the lake and folly castle on the opposite island. It was built as a fishing house by the King family, but was also used for relaxation and reading. The beautiful wrought iron lamps are now gone, but the boarding points are still there, as is the gazebo.
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Boat Harbour, Rockingham, Boyle -
St. Joseph's Church and Convent of Mercy, Abbeytown, Boyle
This black and white postcard of the altered St. Joseph's RC church (old) and Convent of Mercy Boyle captured a hive of activity - schools, church, nun's chapel, laundry and outhouses. It is also important as it has a view of St. Joseph's church, which has the copper top of the bell tower, a post Lawrence addition. The photographer also caught for posterity the rose window. To the left of the postcard is the long chimney, since demolished, of the St. Vincent Laundry, which gave employment to local women. The nun's chapel with it's temple like classical facade is also visible to the mid right of this aerial photograph. The postcard, hand delivered to Roscommon Library requested that since the library van was calling to the Convent Secondary in Boyle (late '60's early 70's) the supply of books might include "the history & appreciation of art - reference type books for Leaving Cert. students. Sr. M.E. also requested Dickens Scott and Co. for the First Years!
Image is present on following page(s): Churches and Convents
St. Joseph's Church and Convent of Mercy, Abbeytown, Boyle -
Boyle Abbey, Ireland
Boyle Abbey,was described by Roger Stalley in "The Cistercian Monasteries of Ireland" (1987) as "the most attractive and rewarding Cistercian monument in Ireland". It is easy to see why with this view, concentrating on the tower, which is located at the intersection of the presbytery, nave and transepts. Cistercian towers were typically later additions, and as the western arch of the crossing is different from the other three, this indicates that the tower was indeed a later addition.This dull tinted postcard is from the Fine Art Postcards series.
Image is present on following page(s): Churches and Convents
Boyle Abbey, Ireland -
Lough Key, from Rock of Doon, Boyle
This sepia coloured photo postcard was sold at McDonagh's Boyle. It features Lough Key and it's many wooded islands from the Rock of Doon. This is a local traditional name, but there is no evidence that a fortress or rock ever existed at this point. It however gives the best view of the lake and it's tree covered islands. Note the ridges in the middle foreground.
Image is present on following page(s): Lakes and Rivers
Lough Key, from Rock of Doon, Boyle -
Boyle Abbey, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
This view concentrates on the nave, and on close examination one can see that the arches on the two sides are different. The left side arches are pointed and the right side arches have a round finish. The five eastern arches, on the south side with cylindrical piers on square bases were built c. 1180. The opposite five arches are pointed, whilst the piers are square, with small attached shafts. This was built possibly 1190-1200, and the photographer captured effectively the two styles of the Romanesque and Gothic periods.
Image is present on following page(s): Churches and Convents
Boyle Abbey, Boyle, Co. Roscommon -
Waterfall and Military Barracks, Boyle
This sepia tinted postcard was posted from Altoona PA in 1947, the sender waiting until his return to the USA to tell his sister that "this town is away from the rest of the world, if you know what I mean" The man made waterfall is no longer part of this idyllic setting.
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Waterfall and Military Barracks, Boyle -
Market Square, showing Court House, Boyle
This photo postcard of the Market Square, Boyle was postmarked Boyle 1914. It has the Tower Clock erected c.1880 to the memory of the Hon. Laurence Harman King-Harman, who died in 1875. It also has some well attired school children who appear to be posing for, and completely absorbed by the photographer. The road was in a very rough condition, fit only for the donkey and cart waiting patiently for it's owner at John Scotts, later Kelly's Supermarket at top left corner of the image. The private residence with the round doorway, later became a cinema. To the right foreground is the Court House, built c.1830. This is a three bay, two storey building with ashlar sandstone facade and three steps. Right beside it is Clewes Hall, originally erected for the entertainment of Protestants, the front porch is now gone. A remodelled modern shop front is now in use as Emmet's Electrical Stores.
Image is present on following page(s): Streets
Market Square, showing Court House, Boyle -
Clonalis House, Castlerea
Clonalis House, west of the town of Castlerea, was the seat of the Clan O'Conor, last High Kings of Ireland. This view in the Roscommon County Council series shows how little the house changed in over its one hundred year existence, when this pose was taken in 1987.
Image is present on following page(s): Clonalis House
Clonalis House, Castlerea -
Bridge Street, Boyle, late 1800's
This colour tinted Woolstone postcard of Bridge Street, looking towards Green Street, was possibly taken late in the 1800's. According to Slater's Directory of 1881 Darcy's general draper, now Ryan's Pharmacy, the building in the centre of the shot and on the corner, did not yet exist. The block on the right of the card are Frank Cunningham's Bar, Ann Wynne's Bar, Casserly's Grocery and MacDonagh's Booksellers. The block on the left of the photo starts with Coleman's Egg Stores, Pat Walsh's Grocery Shop and general merchant, and Boles drapery store.
Image is present on following page(s): Streets
Bridge Street, Boyle, late 1800's -
Bridge Street, Boyle c.1960
Published by McDonagh's of Boyle this view concentrates more on the upper part and Market Square end of the street. The first building in the left foreground was Taylor's a general merchant whose shop was unfortunately burned down. It was rebuilt and subsequently called Phoenix House. Moriarty's partially obscured by the green van is still in existence, but has closed as a general merchant and fruit store. Peter Phelan's ice cream parlour nestles alongside Alphonsus Casey's store, which now houses Marian's Fashion store. On the right the ladies are resting on the window of Kelly's supermarket which is still there, as is it's neighbour Taylor's Jeweller, now owned by Dick McGee, also a jeweller. There is a relaxed and easy going pace associated with this view, and one gets the feeling that if the parked cars were to move, they would be in the way of the pedestrians!
Image is present on following page(s): Streets
Bridge Street, Boyle c.1960 -
St. Patrick's Church, Castlerea
St. Patrick's RC Church, Castlerea is Gothic in style, cruciform in shape and has a tall four-stage tower at the front. It was designed by George Goldie and built in 1896. Out of view in this photograph, is the principle doorway facing St. Patrick's Street, which is framed in cut stone and surmounted by a tracery window thirty feet high. The interior of the church has impressive trusses, beautiful stained glass windows, and an elaborate high alter.
Image is present on following page(s): Churches and Schools
St. Patrick's Church, Castlerea -
Boyle Abbey
This colour tinted view of Boyle Abbey was published by Woolstone Bros. It focuses on the west wall of the church. The single lancet Gothic style window was influenced by Christ Church Cathedral, and it has been suggested that masons from Dublin helped with the building of this part of the Abbey.
Image is present on following page(s): Churches and Convents
Boyle Abbey -
The Convent, Castlerea
The Sisters of Mercy came to Castlerea in 1887, and built this Roman Catholic convent in 1888. It is an attractive three storey building. It is linked by a single storey chapel, out of view and to the left foreground, to a national school, built in 1887. Both are set within their own mature grounds to the rear of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
Image is present on following page(s): Churches and Schools
The Convent, Castlerea -
Bridge Street, Boyle c.1930
This sepia print posted from the USA in 1947, but written in Boyle, described Boyle as "a quaint old town". This shot is taken almost from the same angle as the Hely's Limited card but some forty years later, perhaps. The pedestrians are attired in more modern clothes, there is a bus, a car, and a couple of bicycles. The Imperial Hotel has lost its diamond name plate because it is now owned by Cunninghams. Coleman's Egg Exporters has acquired the embellishment on the gable. The Royal Hotel has also upgraded its entrance door with a fancy porch shelter. Note also the introduction of street furniture in the form of additional business advertisement. The left hand side of the postcard is serrated, rather like a stamp and it was published by Keany, The Bazaar, Boyle.
Image is present on following page(s): Streets
Bridge Street, Boyle c.1930 -
Bridge Street, Boyle early 1900's
A winter scene, judging by the top coats, hats and scarves worn by the people going about their business in the town. The Bazaar is the first building in the right foreground, beside which is the Royal Hotel formerly Freeman's Royal Hotel. In the right middle distance is the Imperial Hotel with it's distinctive diamond shaped nameplate on the centre gable end. Coleman Egg Exporters is the first building where the bridge ends, in the mid left of the postcard. The electric poles may appear to be out of this time frame, but Boyle indeed had Direct Current electricity at this time. The Stewart family, owners of Boyle mill supplied electricity to the town of Boyle from 1901 until the Electricity Supply Board took over in 1966. This card published by Hely's Limited was posted from Boyle in 1919 to England at a cost of one penny.
Image is present on following page(s): Streets
Bridge Street, Boyle early 1900's -
Clonalis House Castlerew, Front View
Clonalis House, Castlerea just west of the town, on the main road to Westport, is the seat of the descendants of the last High Kings of Ireland. It is a grand forty five roomed mansion, designed in 1878, by the architect, Pepys Cockrell, and completed around 1880. It replaced a 17th century house, and stands on a terraced site, in extensive parklands. It is unique among the "great houses" of Ireland in being occupied by a Gaelic family. The house contains a priceless collection of archival material, together with the harp of O'Carolan, the blind musician, and the Inaugration Stone of the O'Conor's, King of Connacht. Clonalis is still occupied by an O'Conor and the house is open to the public.
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Clonalis House Castlerew, Front View -
Church Street, Roscommon c. 1900
This postcard of Church Street, Roscommon looking towards St. Vincent Street was taken in the early 1900's. The street is a mix of residences, business houses and hotel. The second shop, three storeys high, with the Lipton's sign, was McNamara's grocery and publican. The empty Guinness barrels are out on the street, waiting to be delivered to the train station. Frank Judge's general merchant is next door and M. J. Farrell's Souvenir House is the shop with the sun blind. Everything from postcards to Easter eggs was sold here. The youth looking at the photographer is possibly a messenger boy. Matt Hopkins and Mrs. Mullen lived just before Grealy's Hotel on the corner, striking because of it's oriel windows. On the right of the postcard, the thatched house was eventually built into a two storey house, Jack Naughton carried on his sadliery business beside that and further down the street was J.P.Dolan's butcher shop. As there were no gardens attached to these business homes, the flower filled window boxes were common place.
Image is present on following page(s): Streets
Church Street, Roscommon c. 1900 -
Tully's Hotel, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Ireland
This colour postcard taken possibly in the 1970's is of Tully's Hotel, Castlerea. The Tully family took it over from a Mr. Morley. Robert Flynn's general merchant store is the business house next door.
Image is present on following page(s): Streets
Tully's Hotel, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Ireland -
Old Castle, Roscommon
This slightly coloured postcard of the old castle, Roscommon was sold by M. J. Farrell Fancy Goods Depot., Roscommon. The castle was built in 1269 by Robert de Ufford, as a Norman outpost against the powerful Irish chieftain Hugh O'Conor, King of Connaught. It is a keepless fortress, with twin towered gatehouses, a short distance to the west of the town. It was built on low lying land which was at one time a lake. Over a 400 year period it withstood sieges, rebellion and attack, was held by the Irish and re-possessed by the English until in 1691 it was finally destroyed after the Battle of Aughrim. It gradually fell into decay, and although it is effectivly in ruins, the tower on the right of the image contains some interior doorways which are still intact. Some resorative work was carried out in the 1980's and it is now a national monument.
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Old Castle, Roscommon -
The Rectory, Roscommon
Posted from Roscommon to England, on the 24th of December 1904, at a cost of a half penny, it would indeed be a miracle if it reached Somerset on time with it's Christmas greetings! The sepia tinted photo of the pretty Rectory, in Abbeytown with it's white picket fence and mature well kept gardens is alas no longer with us. It was demolished to make way for a new development of houses.
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The Rectory, Roscommon -
Main Street, Castlerea
This tinted photo postcard was posted from Castlerea to England in 1910. The McCormack "commercial and family" hotel is the first building on the right. The two sisters who ran this establishment, Kate and Delia, were still running the family business in the late 1940's. The ochre coloured building at the end of the block, on the right of the image is now Tully's Hotel. Charles Stewart Parnell, used the windows of this building, from which to make political speeches, when he visited Castlerea. In the left foreground is Winstons, next door is Byrons Drapery and the third building is that of the Mount Sandford Arms Hotel. After the break in the road, is the National Bank, the building with the porthole in the gable, which later became the Bank of Ireland.
Image is present on following page(s): Streets
Main Street, Castlerea -
Church of Sacred Heart, Roscommon
A black and white photo postccard (on dull paper) of the RC Sacred Heart Church Abbey Street, Roscommon, complete with it's clock and it's final tower. The image was taken post 1916 as that is when the additions were made. It is a winter Sunday morning and the faithful are leaving the church after Mass, some delaying outside the gates to exchange stories. All are dressed in their "Sunday best", and the priest in the centre of the gate is fully attired with a soutane and hat.
Image is present on following page(s): Churches
Church of Sacred Heart, Roscommon -
Upper Bridge Street, Boyle
This view of Upper Bridge Street, Boyle is a black and white photo postcard taken by P.C. Photo Great Britain. The Clock Tower dominates the foreground. The Abbey Cinema, refurbished in 1939 can be seen as the second building on the left with the round doorway, now Kelly's Pound Shop. The Ford Anglia is slowly making it's way up a somewhat improved road, and the bicycle, parked in the top left foreground of the picture, shows that the horse and cart, still in evidence, was beginning to be replaced as the chief mode of transport.
Image is present on following page(s): Streets
Upper Bridge Street, Boyle -
Church of the Sacred Heart, Roscommon
The Sacred Heart Church, Abbey Street, Roscommon was just over a decade old when Lawrence took this photograph. It was dedicated in 1903, and had yet to acquire the clock on its third-stage tower (1915) and spire on its fifth-stage tower and cross (1915/16). It was designed in an ornate Gothic style, with the central rose window displaying the best of Venetian art by the firm of Salviati. It was built of local cut stone and is fronted by a sunken grotto. Two of the stone piers, with cast iron gate and railing, can be seen to the foreground of the picture. This card is colour tinted, and was posted in 1907 from Roscommon to Dublin. The message on the reverse noted that the train journey from Roscommon to Dublin would take 4 hours and 35 minutes. A marathon undertaking!
Image is present on following page(s): Churches
Church of the Sacred Heart, Roscommon -
Roscommon Castle, Ireland
This autumnal view of Roscommon Castle with trees, shows the ivy making inroads into the further destruction of this once magnificant fortress. It was posted in England in 1910. From the script on the reverse, we learn that Kitty (the Sender) was not so nice to know. Having participated in burning an effigy of one Mrs. Langdon for adulterous behaviour, she was then involved in the stoning of her partner in crime. Charming!
Image is present on following page(s): Buildings
Roscommon Castle, Ireland -
John Delaney's Castlerea
This postcard shows John Delaney's Grocery and Spirit Dealer. He was also a tea, hardware and seed merchant. The man in the doorway is John Delaney, whilst the lady standing outside the residential side of the house, is Mrs. Fahy of the bakery with the same name. The boy standing beside her is John's son, later to become a doctor. Donated by Anthony Touhy, Main Street, Castlerea
Image is present on following page(s): Streets
John Delaney's Castlerea -
Saint Patrick's Street, Castlerea
This black and white card was posted from Castlerea to England, in 1947 and is a Woolstone production. Possibly taken in the thirties, the view looking up towards Main Street, from the Railway Station side, is of an era when there was no hurry on the streets. William Fleming Grocer and Spirit dealers, in left foreground, was established here in 1927 as he is listed in "The Irish Directory and Gazetteer" that year. Electricity had not yet reached the town, and the poles are those of the telegraph company. The church in the right foreground, is a portion of St. Patrick's Church, still in its infancy on the street.
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Saint Patrick's Street, Castlerea -
The Courthouse, Roscommon
The Courthouse, Roscommon, built in 1832 for the sum of £8,752.00 was described by Isaac Weld in his Statistical Survey of Roscommon, as follows " a new courthouse upon a very commodiuos plan, has been latterly erected in Roscommon, which was not yet entirely completed in all its parts when I visited the place" The well proportioned front facade and elaborate entrance way are Doric in style, and face toward a large enclosed area common to the courthouse and New Gaol. The cupola and stonework are among the striking features of the building. The coat of arms, over the three bay breakfront is the "Lion and Unicorn". In 1922 hundreds of rounds of ammunition were fired at it, to shouts of "Three Cheers for the Free State"! A major fire caused extensive damage to it and also to sixteen dwelling houses in nearby Abbey Street, in June 1882. The Grand Jury restored it, and the building as it is captured by the photographer at the turn of the 20th century is a blend of the earlier building of the 1830's with the more modern reconstruction of the 1880's. The white building peeping out of the front right is the New Gaol.
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The Courthouse, Roscommon -
The Convent, Roscommon
The scene caught on camera by William Lawrence in the early 1900's shows the west facing aspect of the convent and chapel in Roscommon town. The detached two storey building in the middle of the card was later adjoined to the main complex, which included an individual school and laundry. The foundation stone of the chapel was laid in 1859, and was completed in 1861. The tower alas is no longer part of the Convent. The three story building in the background is the Primary school and is actually on the other side of the road, on land adjoining the Sacred Heart Church. This is just visible in the right background of the image, with its four stage tower.
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The Convent, Roscommon -
Harrison Hall, Roscommon
This black and white photo postcard, was posted from Roscommon to New York in 1948. It was purchased in Hugh Flynn's store, Main Street, Roscommon. The subject of the card was named for Dr. John Harrison, a well loved medical practitioner, who died in 1890. The horse and cart was still the mode of transport, the road being very rough. The authority of the building is obvious, placed as it is in the centre of the Market Square. This building, originally built as a courthouse in 1750, served the town also as a church in the early 1800's, until the new RC church was built in 1903, in Abbey Street. The parish priest, Fr. Madden who bought it to convert to a church, was responsible for adding the tower and new frontage to the building. It also had uses as a dancehall, opera house and playhouse. It now serves the community as a bank. The memorial surrounded by wrought iron fencing is to the memory of Luke Hayden M.P.
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Harrison Hall, Roscommon -
Abbey Ruins, Roscommon
Roscommon priory was founded for the Dominicans, by Felim O'Conor, King of Connaught, in 1253. It was consecrated in 1257, but was ravaged by fire in 1308. It was rebuilt in 1453 and the surviving fragments, belong in the main to about that date. This colour tinted photo postcard is an outside view, from the north west, of the ivy choked church. This originally consisted of one long aisle, and the lancet windows in the south wall are still preserved. The most remarkable feature of the priory, is the effigy of King Felim O'Conor, in a niche in the north wall, near where the altar once stood. There are eight mail clad warriors, representing gallowglasses, condemned forever to guard and protect the tomb of their chieftain.
Image is present on following page(s): Churches
Abbey Ruins, Roscommon
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