“The heart of an Irishman is nothing but his imagination”
―
Ireland’s amalgam of ancient traditions and stunning landscapes, as well as its complex and, at times volatile past, has drawn some of the greatest from across the photographic spectrum to its rugged shores; the images they have captured stand as a testament to the enigmatic beauty, and unique essence of the Emerald Isle.
1. People celebrating the independence of Ireland on O’Connell Bridge before midnight on Easter Sunday. Dublin, 1949 Larry Burrows
This striking image, captured by English Photojournalist Larry Burrows, shows crowds gathering in Dublin on April 18, 1949, to celebrate the Republic of Ireland Act, which ended the country’s status as a British dominion and severed Commonwealth ties.
The first Dáil Éireann (Assembly of Ireland) had declared Ireland independent and affirmed the existence of an Irish republic three decades earlier, with international recognition of Irish independence coming three years later with the formal creation of the Irish Free State on December 6, 1922. However, Ireland would not officially become a republic until this historic day, marking a seismic moment in the country’s history.
2. Hannes Becker – Untitled, Donegal
Ireland’s western coastline is renowned for its rugged beauty, and no area embodies this more than the stretch in the northwestern county of Donegal, home to some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.
German landscape photographer Hannes Becker captures this wild beauty perfectly, showcasing the dramatic contrast between the lush green landscapes, the dark ocean waves, and the dramatic rocky cliffs that stand proudly in between. It is a truly captivating image that typifies Becker’s approach, encapsulating the untamed beauty of Ireland’s western coastline, and demonstrating why, for centuries, it has captivated artists, writers and poets from across the globe.
3. Dorothea Lange – Irish Country People, 1954
Dorothea Lange was undoubtedly one of the greatest photographers ever; her powerful depictions of depression-era America captured the zeitgeist of the period and dramatically influenced documentary photography thereafter. She visited Ireland in late 1954, on assignment from Life Magazine, her subject, the humble farming communities of the country’s remote western plains. The resulting photo-essay, ‘Irish Country People’ exemplified in this arresting portrait, represents some of her finest work, epitomizing both the striking candor and remarkable artistry for which she is renowned.
4. Evelyn Hofer – Dublin Sky 1966
Few, if any photographers in history captured the essence of a city in the manner of Evelyn Hofer, the enigmatic German-born photographer who, throughout her impressive career, traveled the world photographing its landscapes and people.
Perhaps the most beautiful representation of Ireland’s capital ever created, Dublin Sky, is typical of Hofer’s work, possessing a painting-like quality indicative of her interest in the medium, and an elegant composure that defined her approach.
5. Rebecca Moseman – “The Car Boys” Carrowbrowne Halting Site, Galway
6. Don McCullin – The Bogside, Londonderry, 1971
Throughout his outstanding career, British photojournalist Don McCullin has captured the complexities of war with remarkable honesty, exemplified in the images of the troubles he took whilst on assignment for the Sunday Times Magazine in 1971.
Published as the first of a three-image sequence, this is undoubtedly one of the most profound, the contrast between the heavily-armed soldiers, and the lone, stick-brandishing young man, encapsulates the somewhat paradoxical nature of the conflict.
7. Jim Richardson – O’Flaherty’s Pub, Dingle, Ireland
Although Jim Richardson is most closely associated with Scotland—where his deep and longstanding relationship has yielded some truly remarkable imagery—the American photographer has also turned his lens toward its Celtic cousin, Ireland, on assignment for National Geographic.
Ireland’s pub culture is the stuff of legends, and traditional establishments nestled in remote towns like Dingle, still serve as the beating heart of the community. In this portrait, Richardson captures a more reflective moment: a lone patron framed against a green wall, surrounded by touchstones of the past which still endure in this quiet corner of the country.
8. Colman Doyle – A woman IRA volunteer on active service in west Belfast with an AR18 assault rifle
Irish photojournalist Colman Doyle spent a decade documenting ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland, capturing many powerful images, including the British paratroopers firing at unarmed protesters in Derry on what would become known as ‘Bloody Sunday’.
However, none of his images are as iconic as his 1973 depiction of a young female member of the Irish Republican Army, aiming an AR18 assault rifle on the streets of West Belfast. Many women played an active role in the IRA’s fight against British and loyalist forces, and images like this – much like Joan Guzman’s iconic depiction of Republican Marina Ginestà during the Spanish Civil War decades earlier – became potent and enduring symbols of the conflict.
9. Kim Haughton – “White Horses”, 2011
The economic boom which engulfed Ireland from the early 1990s was remarkable, transforming the country from one of Europe’s poorest to one of its richest. During this time, thousands of new housing developments were built, but, in 2008, the global recession struck, causing soaring levels of unemployment and leading to mass emigration. Consequently, many of the developments were left empty, and came to be known as ghost estates, haunting symbols of the economic crisis.
In 2010, multi-award-winning Irish photographer, Kim Haughton documented these empty and often unfinished homes in her Shadowlands series, and though Ireland’s economy has since stabilized, and the majority of the homes are now occupied, this arresting image serves as a troubling reminder of the fragility of the global financial system.
10. Daniel Casson – “Irish Memories”
This enchanting image by English photographer Daniel Casson features an unnamed location in Ireland. Sweeping green hills merge into a rugged coastline, fading into a sunset-roofed ocean from which emerge distant rocky outcrops. Captured with Casson’s characteristic artistry, rendering it almost painting-like, the photo embodies the wild, captivating beauty of Ireland while the absence of specific context or location adds a layer of mystery to an already dreamy image.
All images © their respective owners