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Where: Ireland
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When: Unknown
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An idyllic summer's day. Captured (not once but twice it seems) on the lawn at Ballinskelligs, I am intrigued by the two "barber shop" poles in the background. What were they for? Happy Fotografic Friday everybody!
And so we learned that the beacons (as with much else in this image) are now no longer standing. However, they were likely warnings to vessels not to damage the undersea telegraph cable by dropping or dragging anchor nearby. We also learned that the Ballinskelligs cable station was operated by the Anglo-American Telegraph Company, and later by Western Union. It was closed in 1923. And (clearly) entirely demolished since then....
Photographer: Robert French
Collection: Lawrence Photograph Collection
Date: Catalogue range c.1865-1914. Possibly early 1900s
NLI Ref: L_CAB_08470
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie
Source: Flickr Commons
Views: 56181
And so we learned that the beacons (as with much else in this image) are now no longer standing. However, they were likely warnings to vessels not to damage the undersea telegraph cable by dropping or dragging anchor nearby. We also learned that the Ballinskelligs cable station was operated by the Anglo-American Telegraph Company, and later by Western Union. It was closed in 1923. And (clearly) entirely demolished since then....
Photographer: Robert French
Collection: Lawrence Photograph Collection
Date: Catalogue range c.1865-1914. Possibly early 1900s
NLI Ref: L_CAB_08470
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie
Info:
Owner: National Library of Ireland on The CommonsSource: Flickr Commons
Views: 56181
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Rory_Sherlock
The striped poles are beacons - navigation aids for boats. maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V2,443338,565955,12,9
CASSIDY PHOTOGRAPHY
As the setting is on the shoreline, I would guess they are a Nautical Marker, in lieu of a Light House. Could even be some form of Nautical signal station/beacon. As there are two, maybe align them, as the ship's/boat's pilot/Captain nears the shoreline guides the vessel safely in. Guessing only.
Wendy:
Like the tennis players!
irishlad031
I wouldn't mind that camera. Wonder where it is today.
Owen J Fitzpatrick
Wonderful Flickr post and photo. I'd also love to know the make of that camera on the tripod in the field. Who's the photographer and what's the photoshoot all about? Great Flickr work as always by National Library of Ireland on The Commons.
Niall McAuley
Looks like these buildings are all gone, and there is a mobile home park there now.
mikescottnz
Great vintage Irish photography.
Niall McAuley
Same pic is here in colour, illustrating a history of the cable station: In 1874 the company established a cable station in Ballinskelligs. Soon after however the Anglo American Cable Company took a majority shareholding in the British company and a connecting cable was laid from the Ballinskelligs station to the Valentia cable station. Anglo American subsequently leased the line to the telecommunications company Western Union who continued the lease up until 1920. The business was then sold to the British Post Office. The British Post office diverted the European end of the cable to Cornwall in 1923 and the Ballinskelligs cable station was closed.
Niall McAuley
There was another cable station at nearby Waterville.
Niall McAuley
The local pub is still called Cable O'Leary's
Asdeewest
It's either twenty past ten or twenty past four on the clock
Niall McAuley
16 people in the 1911 census in Ballinskelligs matching telegraph*
Niall McAuley
Crew in 1901
Niall McAuley
Why would the cable station need a pair of beacons? During cable laying, sure, but they weren't doing that every week?
Niall McAuley
Reverse view in the archive.
guliolopez
As [https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley] mentions, it's interesting how little (if any at all) of the cable station buildings survive. The photography session looks to be taking place in or close to what is now the premises of a bag-manufacturing company. The map, and Niall's "reverse view" would seem to confirm that French was likely standing on the lawns of Kinard House. (Which perhaps did survive(??). Certainly looks to be "for sale" in the 2009 StreetView).
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
I think the beacons or barber's poles were to warn ships of the direction or line of the cable, particularly not to drop or drag anchors nearby.
Niall McAuley
3 lads in 1911 match "cable".
Niall McAuley
A piece of the cable for sale in 2015.
Niall McAuley
Any fashion critics out there? The ladies are in light colours, some gents wearing straw boaters... 1905 ish?
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
*** 1916 TRAGEDY KLAXON *** Three sisters widowed by a boating accident in Ballinskelligs Bay. Read All About It! - trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/81860327
Dún Laoghaire Micheál
https://www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia has it right (again). And not only to warn other shipping, but also to remind themselves where they put it in case it needs servicing.
La Belle Province
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley You rang? Those boaters and Gibson Girl droopy sleeves on the ladies say 1905ish to me.
DannyM8
Mary, what a great photo to end the week, one of your best!!!
Seuss.
From HO 146 - British Islands Pilot Volume III - The Coasts of Ireland. US Navy Hydrographic Office, 1917 A submarine telegraph cable extends from the western shore nearly 1/2 mile northeastward of Abbey Castle in a direction of two pole beacons 208 feet apart which in line bear 300°. At night these beacons show each a fixed red lantern light from a height of 16 feet above the ground. Vessels are cautioned not to anchor in the vicinity of this cable
philfluther
Chairs, fireside chairs Ballinskelligs. Photo theatrical. Lingvistic thought quote courtesy of Macmillan Dictionary "you mustn't discuss this beyond these four walls" Ballinskelligs you mustn't discuss this beyond this fireplace.
Frank Fullard
This is wonderful! The poles are definitely navigation aids.
Daripo
interesting photo!
lensflare82
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 👍👍👍Excellent Photography👍👍👍 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
@PAkDocK / www.pakdock.com
Nice shot!! Interesting composition. Regards
flipjetiel44
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tycho1a It is in the morning looking at the shadows
guenter.huth
First class !!!
rich lewis
Great capture
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Thanks everyone for the incredible inputs - and https://www.flickr.com/photos/la_belle_province for the hint/suggestion on the date :) I've attempted to summarise the key learnings in the description (and map and tags). Have a great weekend all!
russ david
Wonderful capture!!
victor98_2001
Excellent shot
robelot0
Superb!
beck541
Great to see this photo posted here. My mother was born in Ballinskelligs in 1920 and knew alot about the cable station history and many of the people that worked there. Her Grandfather built the hotel next to the cable station and was called Sigerson Arms hotel and was in the family for many years until it was sold in the early years of this century and know known as Cables
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/1619[email protected]] Did you find this photo of the hotel in the archive - catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000318886 ? Are those people your rellies ?