history – In Photos dot Org

Frederick Douglass Inspires in Cork City Centre

I love this mural of Frederick Douglass. It’s painted on a wall of the small avenue going up to the Unitarian Church on Princes Street. I think the church has been closed for quite some time, but I’m glad this area is maintained.

The history of the church here is fascinating too.

After a fire in January 2024 destroyed the interior of the chapel, Cork Unitarian Church was left without a home and with little hope of continuing. Some of the church’s lay leadership believed that there was a future if the model for running the church radically changed. The church now operates as a Limited by Guarentee corporation – independent of external ecclesiastic governance (e.g. ordained ministers, synods, etc.). This is more in keeping with the model of most Unitarian Universalist (i.e. UU) church congregations in the EU (see: EUU). The Cork church congregation no longer has a permanent building to maintain. All of the energies of the church go to meeting the needs of the congregation, not preserving historically significant architecture.

While the Cork congregation has moved on to a different way of doing “church”. The congregation still has an affection for its former Princess street home. We also have an interest as Corkonians in seeing that the asset of the building, with all of its historic and architectural significance, is preserved. Cork Unitarian Church supports effort to donate and repurpose the Princes Street building as a publicly held asset – revitalising Cork’s City Centre and providing social and cultural benefits of the entire Cork community.

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Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	1000
Shutter speed	1/500s

The Galeón Andalucía in Cork

The Galeón Andalucía, a replica of a 16th-17th century Spanish galleon docked in Cork a few days ago for the European Maritime Days to Play, on yesterday and today.

I wandered down the quays where there were a number of other boats. A nice day out for school kids who got a few hours out of the classroom too!

Aperture	ƒ/2.2
Camera	Galaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length	2.2mm
ISO	50
Shutter speed	1/3800s

Visitors in The Great Hall

The Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle is a popular part of the castle, with visitors milling around throughout the day.

Here’s some info about the hall that I got from Perplexity. Sources are linked and makes for an interesting read. I was surprised it didn’t mention that Oliver Cromwell preserved the roof when he had it plastered over. That was something the guide mentioned.

History of the Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle

The Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle is a remarkable structure completed in 1511 for King James IV of Scotland.2 3 6 This medieval wonder measures 29 by 12.5 metres (95 by 41 ft) and served as the chief place of state assembly within the castle.5 While historians have occasionally disagreed about its exact dating, it is generally attributed to the early years of the 16th century during James IV’s reign.5

Architectural Features

The hall’s most distinctive feature is its magnificent wooden roof, considered one of the most superb in Britain.2 3 6 It features giant beams resting on stones carved with heads and symbols such as the thistle, a national badge of Scotland.2 3 6 This is one of only two medieval halls in Scotland that still retains its original hammerbeam roof.5 The decorative carved stone corbels supporting the roof display Renaissance detailing comparable to works at Blois, France, from around 1515, indicating that Scottish arts were relatively advanced for the time.5

Historical Timeline

James IV had little opportunity to enjoy his new grand hall, as he was killed just two years later at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, fighting against the forces of his brother-in-law, King Henry VIII of England.2 3 6

During its early years, the Great Hall hosted grand banquets and state events, though there is no evidence that the Scottish Parliament ever met here, despite some common misconceptions.2 3 5 6

A significant change came in 1650 when Oliver Cromwell’s army captured Edinburgh Castle and began transforming the Great Hall into a military barracks.2 3 5 6 By 1737, the hall was subdivided into three storeys to accommodate 312 soldiers.5

Following the construction of New Barracks in the 1790s, the Great Hall was converted into a military hospital.5 It continued in this function until the troops finally left in 1886/1897 (sources vary slightly on the exact date).2 3 5 6

After its military use ended, the Great Hall was restored to its medieval splendour by architect Hippolyte Blanc, who worked according to contemporary Victorian ideas of medieval architecture.5 Today, the hall displays weapons and armour that reference its military past, including distinctive pole arms like the feared Lochaber axe.2 3 6

In modern times, the Great Hall is still occasionally used for ceremonial occasions and has served as a venue for BBC Scotland’s Hogmanay Live programme.5

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The crowds of Monastiraki Square

Monastiraki Square in Athens is a busy area for tourists, right next to many of the ancient sites of the city. It’s a bustling area, full of interesting characters, both local and foreign, and a great place to visit for a street photographer!

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	35mm
ISO	125
Shutter speed	1/500s

A Four-Legged Historian

Bishop Lucey Park in Cork is surrounded by hoarding with text describing the history of the area. But you don’t want to read about that, do you? That cute little doggy is all any of us wants to see. 🙂

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	125
Shutter speed	1/500s

John Lynch The Fenian

A plaque on a wall on Devonshire Street in Cork records the capture of a Fenian in 1865.

JOHN LYNCH THE FENIAN
CAPTURED HERE SEPTEMBER 1865
DIED WOKING PRISON JANUARY 1866

There’s more, this page has quite a bit on him, but also gives a different date for his death.

John Lynch was a widower and publican who lodged in Cork City and became involved with the Cork City Fenians. He was convicted on the word of an informer, John Warner, who stated that Lynch was a colonel in the Fenian organisation in Cork. Lynch was convicted of treason and felony by Judge Keogh in December 1865. Overall the evidence used to convict Lynch was rather weak for the sentence of 10 years penal servitude.

UCC has a photo of him in their archive but unfortunately it’s not online. I’d love to see that and scan it in or take a photo (sans flash) of the photo. Anyone got contacts in the Boole Library? Wouldn’t it be great to see those archived online on pix.ie or flickr?

Lynch, John. Head and shoulders frontal shot in prison garb. Covering folder notes “Died in Woking Prison Hospital 2/6/66. was one of the “Centres” for Cork City. Organizer of St. Patrick’s Day nationalist demonstrations in Athenaeum Club in the 60’s”. [2 items : 16cm x 12cm]

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Camera	Canon EOS 40D
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Shutter speed	1/125s

The National Monument

The National Monument, Grand Parade Cork was erected in 1906 to commemorate those who died in uprisings against the British in 1867 and 1798.

It’s one of the few parts of the Grand Parade that hasn’t changed much despite all the redevelopment of the city.

Aperture	ƒ/10
Camera	Canon EOS 20D
Focal length	10mm
ISO	200
Shutter speed	1/250s

Airm poblachta na hEireann

This memorial hangs on an outside wall of University College Cork (UCC) but I’m fairly sure not many people have read it as it’s in an obscure corner of the college on Gaol Walk.

The memorial commemorates members of the rebel forces who died during the War of Independence and the Irish Civil War in the early 1920’s.

Judging by the date on the right, it was erected in 1947.

Aperture	ƒ/7.1
Camera	Canon EOS 20D
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ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/125s

46 stars and lots of stripes

46 stars and lots of stripes

How long ago was the United States made up of 46 states? According to this site it was 1908! This flag may date back to that time because it was brought back from there by my grandfather in 1929 or the early 1930’s.

I must say thanks to my Uncle Ray for bringing that flag along to a family get-together tonight!

Aperture	ƒ/5.6
Camera	Canon EOS 20D
Focal length	48mm
ISO	200
Shutter speed	1/60s