National Library highlights photographs of local Westmeath life in its collections
Above: The bustling Square in Kilbeggan, photographed by Robert French sometime between 1865-1914. Reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.
A treasure trove of historic photographs from Westmeath has been digitised and made freely available online by the National Library of Ireland (NLI).
Earl Street in Mullingar, now Pearse Street, the distillery at Kilbeggan, as well as the town square, Belvedere Estate, and Biddy Gray’s at Crookedwood are just some of the photographs in the collection.
In 2007, the National Library initiated a major project to digitise its collections of glass plate negatives. Since then, more than 60,000 images of Ireland and Irish life have been made available online.
As part of a new initiative entitled ‘Around the Island’, the Library is inviting Westmeath people, and everyone with an interest in the county, to explore these and all the other digitised images.
With photographs drawn from a range of historic collections, the online catalogue offers viewers unique insights into life across the island of Ireland from the middle of the 19th century all the way up to the late 20th century.
The catalogue can be accessed via http://catalogue.nli.ie, and visitors can search the collections according to a number of criteria, including year and region.
Commenting on the initiative, Director of the NLI, Dr Sandra Collins said: “As Ireland’s memory-keeper, the National Library collects, preserves and shares the record of life in Ireland.
“This includes photographs of everyday local life just as much as major moments in our national history. Together, these images give a varied picture of Irish life through the last 170 years.
“Through ‘Around the Island’, we hope people will engage with their local history using the Library’s online catalogue, and perhaps see their locality and its history in a new light.
Dr Collins said she hoped visitors to the online collections will find enjoyment in browsing local imagery from the past, while also learning something new about their county.
“I encourage Westmeath people, and everyone with an interest in the county, to spread the word about the Library’s online collections among family and friends – wherever they are – and to visit the catalogue,” she said.
Visitors to the catalogue are encouraged to share any interesting findings or observations on social media, using the hashtag #NLIonline, or by sending an email to info@nli.ie.
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