A recently discovered photograph that features several Irish revolutionary leaders has been put on display in Galway 100 years after it was taken.
The photo which was taken in 1913 is a large group portrait. Three of the people in the picture went on to be presidents of Ireland. Half of the people who signed the 1916 Proclamation also appeared in the photo.
The Irish Times reports that Pádraig Pearse, Seán Mac Diarmada, Éamonn Ceannt, Douglas Hyde, Seán T O’Kelly, Éamon de Valera, Pádraic Ó Conaire and Constance Markievicz, all of whom played key roles in the fight for Irish freedom, were among the 164 people in the photo.
It also included members of the Curran family. It was discovered in Dublin in the attack of a relative of the Currans.
Photo taken outside Galway Town Hall
When they found the photo they tried to figure out where and when it had been taken. At first they thought it would have been taken in Kerry at the Gaelic League Oireachtas in 1914.
However, they were unable to find a match for the building in the background. After some research they became aware that it was actually taken in front of Galway Town Hall in 1913. The building is now a theatre.
To mark the centenary of the photograph they presented a print to the theatre. It is now on display in the foyer.
A spokesman for the Curran family said: “We think it is only right that it should return to the place where it was taken, to be enjoyed by the people of Galway and the public at large.
“We now look forward to perhaps the public assisting us identify the few remaining names.”
The photo is remarkable as it features so many people who helped to shape Ireland as we know it today. It is sure to become another popular attraction for visitors to the city.
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