Photochrom prints of Ireland taken between 1890 and 1900 and organized
by county, courtesy of the U.S. Library of Congress.
=County Antrim=
Royal Avenue, Belfast
While Belfast’s main shopping district was a popular target of IRA attacks
in the 1970s and ’80s,most of the buildings in this image are still standing
after all this time.
Rustic Bridge in Glenariff
With its picturesque trees and waterfalls, Glenariff Forest Park is a popular
tourist destination these days.The area is nicknamed “Queen of the Glens”,
the largest and most beautiful glen in the county.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Amazingly, this rope bridge linking Carrick Island to the mainland is still in use.
It has become a major tourist attraction. It has been redesigned and improved
over the years to make it safer.
Portrush
While the beaches of Portrush are still a draw for tourists, the town is now also
known for its dance clubs and Barry’s Amusements, the largest amusement park
in Northern Ireland.
Giant’s Causeway
You might recognize this famous icon from the cover of Led Zeppelin’s
Houses of the Holy. The weird natural design is the result of an ancient volcanic
eruption. The hot lava cooled so fast that it created deep, giant cracks that
eventually broke into the columns seen today.
=County Wicklow=
Vale of Avoca
The River Avoca flows only through the County Wicklow, where it starts off as
two distinct rivers, then flows together at one point, known as the Vale of Avoca.
This vale is located inside the town of Avoca, pictured here.
Poulaphouca Fall
The entire center of County Wicklow is made up of the Wicklow Mountains,
which are naturally adorned with a number of rivers and stunning waterfalls
like this one. This particular waterfall no longer exists since the Poulaphouca
Reservoir was completed in 1940.
Bray
Up until the mid-1700s, Bray was a sleepy fishing village, but as the people
of Dublin started to seek sanctuary outside the crowded city, the town’s
population grew quickly. By the mid-1800s the town had become the largest
seaside resort in the country. These days, Bray is home to the country’s only
dedicated film studios, Ardmore Studio, which has produced such classics
as Excalibur and Braveheart.
The Dargle Bridge
The River Dargle is named An Deargail in Gaelic, which translates to “little
red spot.” While it’s not obvious in this picture, the name is a reference to the
fact that most rocks in the river are tinted red.
=County Dublin=
Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin
This beautiful hotel opened in 1824 and is still open for business, currently
operating under the banner of Marriott International. The hotel even played an
important role in Irish history. In 1922, it served as the meeting place for the
creators of the Irish Constitution. Room 112, where it was drafted, is now
fittingly known as The Constitution Room.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin
Officially known as the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Patrick,
this icon of Ireland was founded in 1191 and now serves as the National Cathedral
of Ireland. It also holds the record for the tallest church in Ireland, boasting a
spire that stands 140 feet tall.
Phoenix Park, Dublin
The obelisk in the background is the Wellington Monument, found in Phoenix
Park, Dublin. It is the tallest obelisk in Europe, dedicated to the great deeds
of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.
=County Cork=
Roches Royal Hotel, Glengarriff Harbor
While this particular hotel may no longer be in business, the small town of
Glengarriff (pop. 800) is still a popular tourist destination of seaside views
paired with high mountain peaks and quaint peat bogs scattered across the town.
Glengarriff Harbor
The town is named for the Glengarriff Forest, Gleann Garbh in Gaelic, which
means “rough glen.” The forest is indeed home to a rough glen and some of
the oldest oak and birch groves left in Ireland.
Blackrock Castle
Blackrock Castle was originally constructed as a fort intended to keep away
pirates and other potential threats. While a few remains of the original building
still stand, most was destroyed in a fire in 1827 and replaced with the current
structure that was completed in 1829. While the castle was used for a variety
of purposes throughout the ages, it now serves as Ireland’s first interactive
astronomy center, which is open to the public.
=County Waterford=
Dungarven Bridge and Harbor
The Gaelic name for this city is Dún Garbháin, which translates to “Garbhan’s
fort”, referring to Saint Garbhan who founded a church there in the seventh
century. These days, Dungarven is the administrative center of County Waterford.
The Quays, Waterford
Waterford is the oldest city in all of Ireland, established back in 914. One thousand
years later the city is still the fifth largest in the country. These days, Waterford is
best known for its crystal. Sadly, Waterford Crystal shut down its factory in 2009
after operating in the town for 225 years.Guests can visit the Waterford Crystal
Visitor Center.
=County Kerry=
Ross Castle, Killarney
This stunning castle looks largely the same now as it did back when this picture
was taken, despite the recent renovations that have allowed it to become open
to the public. In the late 1400s, this castle was one of the strongest military posts
in the country. In fact, during the Irish Confederate Wars of the 1600s, it was
one of the last castles to surrender; the leader of the battle only did so after the
castle was attacked via water—something no one inside the stronghold saw coming.
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