Fitzwilliam Square, Wicklow, Co. Wicklow
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Where: Wicklow, Ireland
Try to find the spot where the photographer was standing.
When: 01 January 1900
Try to find the date or year when this image was made.
Now I am having a touch of "deja vu". I think mainly because I was down in Wicklow recently, though I didn't know that this was called Fitzwilliam Square. Not quite as elegant and expensive as the one in Dublin, but with its own special charm and attraction.
Based on some hunting by Niall McAuley it's likely we can narrow the five decade catalogue range to perhaps a decade of so c.1900. Niall tells us that the obelisk (the Halpin Memorial) wasn't there before 1897. And that some of the businesses had changed by 1911....
Photographer: Robert French
Collection: Lawrence Photograph Collection
Date: Catalogue range c.1865-1914. Likely c.1897-1911 (obelisk/shops)
NLI Ref: L_ROY_09481
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie
Source: Flickr Commons
Views: 18744
Based on some hunting by Niall McAuley it's likely we can narrow the five decade catalogue range to perhaps a decade of so c.1900. Niall tells us that the obelisk (the Halpin Memorial) wasn't there before 1897. And that some of the businesses had changed by 1911....
Photographer: Robert French
Collection: Lawrence Photograph Collection
Date: Catalogue range c.1865-1914. Likely c.1897-1911 (obelisk/shops)
NLI Ref: L_ROY_09481
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: 18744
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lawrencecollection
lawrencephotographicstudio
glassnegative
nationallibraryofireland
fitzwilliamsquare
wicklow
cowicklow
cart
shops
corner
hill
square
obelisk
monument
halpinmemorial
dog
teamrooms
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Dr. Ilia
very nice capture!
robinparkes
Streetview goo.gl/maps/mgTVwmiAXBD2
Niall McAuley
Streetview (with trees!) and GeoHive OSI 25" map link.
Niall McAuley
The obelisk dates from 1897 per the NIAH. For once, not a memorial to a landlord or military figure, but to Captain Robert Halpin, who was responsible for laying over 23,000 miles of marine cabling in the nineteenth century, making a major contribution to global communications.
O Mac
The square (triangle) and its railings are known locally as the "Smoothing Irons"
Niall McAuley
Named shops (right to left) I see Carr, Byrne, Rooney and Law. Carr is there in 1901, and 1911 Likewise Garrett Byrne in 1901 and 1911 Rooneys in 1901 and 1911 The only one that might help is W. Law & Co at left (if that is what it says?) which is in neither census.
Niall McAuley
This reverse view in the archive (very likely the same day) shows Joseph Collins and says the shop at extreme right is Finlayson and Sons (there in both). It also tells us that W Law has Corn Stores.
Niall McAuley
Joseph Collins premises are on Abbey St, and there are Collinseses there in both censusseses, but no Joseph. Maria, 47, is a widow in 1901, and her son Edward M is the boss in 1911. His son is named Joseph, after his grandfather perhaps? I'd say this suggests we are before 1911 (but is not conclusive).
Niall McAuley
Aha! For that Joseph Collins building, the NIAH says of the left half: A pharmacy since 1911 so we are before that date.
Niall McAuley
The DIA says Monument unveiled by Lady Milton 22 Oct 1897
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley Halpin was Captain of the S.S. Great Eastern, https://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland/8204773855
Niall McAuley
Another view of the square in the archive titled Green Tree Hotel
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
The ship (see note) and another to the right with pennants on its masts, might be these on the same day - https://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland/20373917570/ which https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley/ dated to ca. 1905 - 1912
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Thanks [https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley], all! I've added a note to the description on the likely date range. I also mapped the image based on the StreetView coords. (On the modern StreetView equivalent, I love how the Corolla takes the place of the cart, and how we still have at least 2 generations strolling past Fitzwilliam Court. I think we can probably do without the perspex phone boxes by now though :) )
JoolsAshton
Having visited ..it all came to life for me having found where my ancestors are from.. the Molloys and Phillips's. It was amazing to track shops they had, ships and where they are buried.
patrick.vickers1
Apart from the tree which I cannot remember still much the same as it was 70 years ago, though there was a cinema there on the left. Garret Byrnes is still there ?
stale experience
The Bridge Tavern has not changed much.