Comment by Eamon Loingsigh on August 29, 2013 at 1:16pm

I've looked through these pictures and they're quite amazing. Thanks for posting! 

Comment by Bit Devine on August 29, 2013 at 2:35pm

One that really struck me was the photo of the Archbishop of Tuam... such oppulence in his garb considering the times...stark contrast to the Connemara families photographed

 

but it is this photo which really grabs and holds my attention is this one:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chethams_library/9038827539/in/set-721...

Comment by rod Murphy on September 1, 2013 at 11:28am

Bit Devine's comment, "One that really struck me was the photo of the Archbishop of Tuam... such oppulence in his garb considering the times...stark contrast to the Connemara families photographed" deserves a comment. Bit, where do you see opulence in that photo of the bishop? His vestments were and are required. Other than that? Methinks your anti-Catholicism is showing.

Comment by Bit Devine on September 2, 2013 at 12:15am

LOL...me...anti-catholic....twelve years of catholic school.... youth group leader, nursery school leader.... catechism classes and youth dialogue... not to mention countless retreats and camp outs... 

From a photographer's eye...and nothing more...there is a stark contrast between the vestments and surroundings of the Archbishop and that of the Connemara family... to be sure, all are in their best....

As to the archbishop pictured, John MacHale, he was the first prelate since the Reformation to have been solely educated in Ireland. He was fluent in Irish, Latin, French, English and Greek. He said mass in Irish and greeted his parishioners in Irish, young or old, rich or poor. He condemned teh Poor Law and the National Schools, starting his own schools instead.

Anti-Catholicism ...LOL..still chuckling

Comment by rod Murphy on September 2, 2013 at 5:32am

Sorry but priest-bashing is a contact sport and televised in America today. I bristle because I know so many very good priests. I think one of the last bishops of Tuam (Galway) had an American girlfriend and a child. So not all priests are angels. Again I'm sorry for reading that wrong.

See you on retreat!

Gaeilgeoir Comment by Bernie Joyce on September 3, 2013 at 6:34pm

Wow love the photos of Galway city before cars. What I noticed was how grand the houses of the rich were compared to the living conditions of the poor at the time. Also I got shivers looking at the nuns. I guess that is the power a photo has. 

Comment by Bit Devine on September 3, 2013 at 6:41pm

Bernie, a chara, to this day, whether out in public or in a church setting, I am immediately reduced to a twelve-year old child whenever I see a nun or priest. "Yes, Sister. No Sister" "Yes Father. No Father"...

So I quite understand where you are coming from

Gaeilgeoir Comment by Bernie Joyce on September 4, 2013 at 2:37pm

Yeah regression at the sight of  black cloth is tough. I was not allowed to attend art class at school because of the nun and now I teach art in the very same building. So life is full of twists and turns. Saying that I know not all clergy are the same but unfortunately I am not a believer anymore of the church but it is a great source of comfort for many people which can only be a good thing. 

Comment by Walter Crawford on February 6, 2015 at 8:32pm

The recent history of leaders of the main churches leaves a very bad taste in the mouth. While SOME are good' in my opinion the vast majority are hypocrites and for centuries have been living of the labour of the gullible, Voltaire said "Men made rich by your sweat and misery have made you superstitious - not to make you fear God but,to make you fear them" I think that sums up the situation.

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