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O'Connell Memorial Church,Cahirsiveen

Lawrence photograph of Cahirsiveen Church.Although the Lawrence Collection was taken between 1890 and 1910 the message on the back indicates that the postcard was sent in the 1920s as it provides some interesting contemperory and now historical information telling the addressee that the library and the workhouse were then occupied by the military.The sender of the postcard is clearly familiar with Cahirsiveen from the past and is not too impressed. She tells her Aunt Julia that it is "the same dirty old place all the time".

Image is present on following page(s): Buildings of Kerry

New Bridge,Kenmare,Co.Kerry

This is an example of a postcard supplying historical local information. It seems very likely this photograph was taken at the opening of the new bridge in Kenmare in the 1930s. The original Kenmare Suspension Suspension Bridge opened in 1841 was declared unsafe in 1932 and replaced by this bridge. The postcard show local dignatories assembling for the occasion

Image is present on following page(s): Bridges

Killorglin Bridge and River Laune,Co.Kerry

This postcard is dated 1908 and highlights the fishing amenities in the town. In the foreground is the railway viaduct and in the background the bridge for road traffic can be seen.

Image is present on following page(s): Bridges

Postcard (back of)

Back side of typical postcard:divided into 2 sides:left hand side for message and right hand side for address with postage rates printed on the square reserved for the stamp.

Image is present on following page(s): How to Identify and Date Postcards

St.Mary's Church,Dingle

Churhes were a popular subject for postcards. This is St.Marys Church in Dingle built in 1807. Posted to New York,the sender places the message on the front-"where I go to pray every Sunday"

Image is present on following page(s): Buildings of Kerry

Town Park,Tralee

This is a postcard which illustrates the value of photography in capturing areas that no longer exist. The "Green" or "the Bowling Green" was the preserve of the upper classes prior to its purchase by Tralee Urban Council in 1922. The Lodge still stands but the area where the two boys study the cameraman forms part of Denny St. The pathway leads into the Town Park proper.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Tralee

Tunnel on the Kenmare Road,Killarney

This postcard is a popular choice of tourists down the years .It features a man-made tunnel on the road from Killarney to Kenmare. This road provides spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney. This particular postcard was posted to England on the 8th August 1907.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Killarney

Lawrence's photographic studio

William Lawrence's photographic studio was situated in a prime location ,across the road from the GPO in Sackville street (now O'Connell Street)

Image is present on following page(s): Lawrence Collection

Southern Lake Hotel,Waterville

Postcard of Southern Lake Hotel,Waterville(now Waterville Lake Hotel). This card advertises the primary attraction of the hotel to visitors-its fishing amenities.

Image is present on following page(s): Buildings of Kerry

Bank of Ireland,Tralee

Another example of a postcard coming up with a rare photograph. The bank stills stands on the same site but much changed. This is a rare example of a commercial building deemed suitable for a postcard.

Image is present on following page(s): Buildings of Kerry

Cahirsiveen Church

Postcard message with an interesting snippet of contemporary history. The sender observes that both the public library and the workhouse were occupied by the military at the time the postcard was sent. She is clearly not enamoured with Cahirsiveen even though she is obviously a frequent visitor. She says "I expect it is the same dirty old place all the time".

Image is present on following page(s): Postcard Messages

Cahirsiveen Church (postcard message)

Postcard message with an interesting snippet of contemperory history.the sender observes that both the public library and the workhouse were occupied by the military at the time the postcard was sent.She is clearly not enamoured by Cahirsiveen even though she is obviously a frequent visitor.she says "I expect it is the same dirty old place all the time"

Image is present on following page(s): Postcard Messages

Day Place and Dominican Church,Tralee

Postcard from photograph of Tralee at the turn of the 19th century.It features the Dominican Church opened in 1871 and the adjoining Day Place built in 1805 as a speculative venture by local-born judgeRobert Day(1745-1841). It captures a summers day in Tralee with a solitary walker taking the middle of the road unimpeded by traffic of any kind

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Tralee, Lawrence Collection

Old Weir Bridge,Killarney

Traditional postcard of Old Weir Bridge,Muckross,Killarney (Droichead an Mhaoir the Steward,s Bridge). This particular postcard was purchased in 1908 and sent to Massachusetts in USA.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Killarney

Nelson Street,Tralee

Postcard photograph of Nelson Street (later renamed Ashe Street after Kerry patriot Thomas Ashe)taken about 1900. The photogragher has attracted a crowd of rapt onlookers indicating that photography was still a novelty in Tralee.The onlookers add a fascinating and informative dimension to the photograph a hundred years on.It is clear the photographer was happy to have them included The street remains the same today except for the clump of trees in the background which is now a road. One of the town's notable buildings,Tralee Court House lies hidden from view on the right hand side.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Tralee, Lawrence Collection

The Cloisters,Muckross Abbey,Killarney

This particular postcard was sent by an English visitor in 1907.It features the cloisters of Muckross Abbey consisting of a quadrangle of arches,enclosing a square in the centre of which stands the great yew tree,said to be as old as yhe Abbey itself. It is a striking postcard much as the original itself is to this day.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Killarney

Vartry Reservoir, Stillorgan.

Vartry Reservoir came into existence in 1863, when the water from the upper catchment area of the river was deflected into the Roundwood Reservoir. Sir John Gray, Chairman of the Waterworks Committee was responsible for promoting the scheme. It resulted in a huge improvement in the sanitary conditions of the day. About 85,000 cubic metres of pure water were delivered to the city daily.

Image acquired from The Collectors' Shop, Blackrock.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcard Publishers

Tralee and Dingle Railway

Photograph taken by railway enthusiasts of Tralee and Dingle Railway in 1951.The train is ready to leave the Rock Street station for Dingle. The Tralee and Dingle railway ceased running in 1953.

Image is present on following page(s): Railways

The Mall,Tralee

Postcard photograph of Tralee town centre posted to the USA in 1958.The sender describes the town as a "nice little place"and refers to the song The Rose of Tralee which he describes as wonderful. The postcard depicts a typical scene "down town" in the late 1950s. The bicycle still predominates over the motorcar and the traditional form of dress known as the shawl is still in evidence. An unusual feature of this postcard is the almost clear blue sky which is very rarely found in Tralee.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Tralee

Lartigue Railway,Ballybunion

View of Lartigue Railway Station in Ballybunion.Clear view of the monorail .

Image is present on following page(s): Railways

Denny Street,Tralee

Denny St is Tralee's most elegant street laid out in the 1820s on the site of Tralee Castle,In the centre of the street stands the "Croppy Boy" erected in 1939 to commemorate the 1798 Rising.The Ashe Memorial Hall erected in 1928 and named after Kerry patriot Thomas Ashe was for many years the headquarters of Kerry County Council.It now houses Kerry County Museum. The postcards depicts a not too busy day in the life of the town in the 1950s.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Tralee

Railway Station,Killarney

On the left is the Great Southern Hotel and on the right is the Railway Station. The postcard captures an old world scene where various modes of local transport await the arrival of the train. The Great Southern and Western Railway opened in 1853 and the Great Southern Hotel was opened in 1854.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Killarney

Christmas in Killarney

The woman in the painting is gathering holly while the boys are absorbed with the icy lake. The scene is illustrated with a poem "Bright hued berries dust the snows, smiling winter's frown away" The card was posted to County tipperary in December 1906.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Killarney

Innisfallen island,Killarney

Described by a 12th century monk as "a paradise-like place"Innisfallen is situated in the middle of Loch Lein not far from Ross Castle. A monastery was founded there in the 7th century and some of the historical chronicles known as The Annals of Innisfallen were compiled on the island.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Killarney

Kate Kearney's Cottage,Killarney

Postcard from the 1960s.Kate Kearney's Cottage is the last outpost before the arduous journey by horse to the Gap of Dunloe. The postcard captures a busy day at the height of the summer season.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Killarney

Tralee Town Park

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Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Tralee

Dinis Island,Killarney

..A tropical and luxuriant scene where "flourish palms,bamboos,magnolias azaleas hydrangeas and the New zealand flax-not to mention great Osmunda ferns-in the loveliest imaginable surroundings". This is an extract from the very many tourist guide books which date back to the early 19th century.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Killarney

Nelson Street,Tralee 1908

This second photogaph offers a number of contrasts and changes to the earlier postcard. It is perhaps ten years later.The townsmen,except for the young boys,show very little interest in the photographer.Indeed they appear to show no interest at all. The sender of the photograph refers to "Mr Donkey and cart standing in the street" The barrels of porter were a common feature of the town in 1908 and for many years later. The trees attached to the Church of Ireland presbytery are now enclosed by a wall which stood until recent times

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Tralee, Further Postcard Messages

William street,Listowel

This postcard was sent to Buffalo,New York in 1937. The donkey and cart is still the popular mode of transport. The electricity polls indicate that Listowel is now electrified. The shopfronts have changed little in the intervening years.Keane's pub on the right hand side of the postcard remains exactly the same. This street scene would have been familiar to Listowel writers John B.Keane who was born in 1928

Image is present on following page(s): Towns and Villages

Kenmare,co.Kerry

The photographer is poised at the right moment to capture the arrival of a full coach to what is probably a Fair Day in Kenmare. As usual with street scenes inthe Lawrence Collection the photographer positions himself in the middle of the street. The photograph presents a sense of the animation and activity of the moment.

Image is present on following page(s): Towns and Villages, Further Postcard Messages

Cahirsiveen and Valentia Island

A wide angle view of Cahirsiveen town with Valentia Island in the background. The postcard was sent to New York and the message reads "lovely scene from the hill above town where our tent was pitched.Quite warm here today but not real hot"

Image is present on following page(s): Towns and Villages

St. John's Church ,Tralee

A pastoral view of St.John's Church,Tralee from the adjoining Town Park Sheep,no longer to be seen are grazing on what looks to be a lazy summer's day.

Image is present on following page(s): Postcards of Tralee