Ireland Now and Then (100 yrs ago) – Happy St. Patrick’s Day! (17 PICS)

March 13th, 2011 Permalink

Before St. Patrick’s Day last year, the Library of Congress asked for, and posted, more than 100 color photochroms of Ireland taken between 1890 – 1900. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day this year, here’s a look at some of those same spots in Ireland as captured in pictures over a hundred years ago, then again today. This post is sprinkled with a generous dose of Irish sayings and blessings to bless your little Irish heart and every other Irish part. Even if you’re not Irish, blessings never hurt anyone. [17 Pictures]

Many people have seen photos of the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in Ireland, but the Library of Congress took an interesting approach. Before St. Patrick’s Day last year, it asked for and posted more than 100 photochroms of Ireland taken between 1890 – 1900. Here’s a look at some of those same spots over a hundred years ago, then again today. ~ As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction. Photo #1 by Shiraz Chakera

St. Patrick's Day - Rope Bridge, Carrick-a-Rede. County Antrim, Ireland - Photochrom prints--Color--1890-1900

Rope Bridge, Carrick-a-Rede. County Antrim, Ireland – Photochrom print, color, taken between 1890-1900. Photochrom prints are colorized images made from black and white photo negatives. ~ May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours! Photo #2 by Library of Congress



Ireland - St. Patrick - Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge now2

Rope Bridge, Carrick-a-Rede in Ireland as it is “now.” It was somewhat impossible to find the exact same angle of the rope bridge under a creative commons license. 🙁 ~ What’s the use of being Irish if the world doesn’t break your heart? Photo #3 by Quichot (Edwin Klein)

St. Patrick's Day - Devenish Island ruins, Lough Erne. County Fermanagh, Ireland Photochrom prints--Color--1890-1900

Devenish Island ruins, Lough Erne. County Fermanagh, Ireland. Photochrom print colorized, taken between 1890-1900. ~ If you are lucky enough to be Irish, then you are lucky enough. Photo #4 by Library of Congress

Ireland - St Patricks day Devenish Island ruins now

Devenish Island ruins as they are “now” in Ireland. ~ May your blessings outnumber, The shamrocks that grow, And may trouble avoid you, Wherever you go! Photo #5 by Überraschungsbilder

Dunluce Castle - County Antrim, Ireland Photochrom prints--Color--1890s - St Patricks Day

Ruins of Dunluce Castle in Ireland. This colorized photochrom print was taken in the 1890s. ~ May the best day of your past, Be the worst day of your future. Photo #6 by Library of Congress

Dunluce Castle now in Ireland - st patricks day

The ruins of Dunluce Castle “now” in Ireland. ~ May your home be filled with laughter, May your pockets be filled with gold, And may you have all the happiness, Your Irish heart can hold. Photo #7 by Damien du Toit

inside the ruins of Dunluce Castle now

Inside the ruins of Dunluce Castle “now” in Ireland. ~ May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live. Photo #8 byjohn.purvis

Giant's Causeway. County Antrim, Ireland Photochrom prints--Color--1890s

The Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. This colorized photochrom print was taken in the 1890s. ~ May your neighbors respect you, troubles neglect you, the angels protect you, and Heaven accept you. Photo #9 Library of Congress

Giant's Causeway in Ireland now

The Giant’s Causeway in Ireland as it is “now.” ~ May you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you’re dead! Photo #10 Alan Bruce

The Honeycombs, Giant's Causeway. County Antrim, Ireland Photochrom prints--Color--1890

The Honeycombs at Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. This photochrom print was taken and colored in 1890. ~ Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal. Photo #11 Library of Congress

The Honeycombs, Giant's Causeway now

This is The Honeycombs, Giant’s Causeway as it is “now.” ~ May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, May good luck pursue you each morning and night. Photo #12 Überraschungsbilder

giants causeway ireland

Another cool capture of The Honeycombs, Giant’s Causeway as it is “now.” ~ A wish for a friend: Wishing you a rainbow for sunlight after showers; Miles and miles of Irish smiles for golden happy hours; Shamrocks at your doorway for luck and laughter too, And a host of friends that never ends each day your whole life through! Photo #13 Ty TS Drown

Ross Castle, II, Killarney Photochrom prints--Color--1890s Ireland

This is Ross Castle, II, in Killarney, Ireland. The color photochrom print was taken in the 1890s. ~ Like the warmth of the sun and the light of the day, May the luck of the Irish shine bright on your way. Photo #14 Library of Congress

Ireland - Ross Castle now

This is Ross Castle in Killarney, Ireland, as it is “now.” ~ May joy and peace surround you, Contentment latch your door, And happiness be with you now and bless you evermore. Photo #15 BlackburnPhoto

Muckross Abbey, Killarney. County Kerry, Ireland photochrom

This is Muckross Abbey, Killarney, Ireland. The photochrom print was taken and colorized in the 1890s. ~ May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold – And at the end of your rainbows, may you find a pot of gold. Photo #16 Library of Congress

Muckross Abbey Ireland now

This is Muckross Abbey, Killarney, Ireland, as it is “now.” ~ These things, I warmly wish for you – Someone to love, Some work to do, A bit of – sun, A bit – cheer, And a guardian angel always near. Photo #17 Clemensfranz



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