Description: Bearers of a name long-associated with horses in Ireland, here we see Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Goff, who appear intent on the business of racing as they stride (I imagine) towards the winners enclosure! I love their "going to the races" dress and their seeming indifference to the obvious photographer taking this shot. What might have been even more interesting would be to see the more exuberant dress of the lady behind Mrs. Goff... Who were they, where was it and when?
On the "when?" question, we owe particular thanks to
Carol Maddock whose investigations have associated this image with an
Irish Independent society entry from January 1914. It confirms that the image was captured shortly after Herbert William Davis-Goff became
High Sheriff of Waterford. On the "who?", the peerage resource provided by
Niall McAuley tells us that Margaret Aimée Davis-Goff (née Scott) was from a diplomatic family. Davis-Goff seemingly went to war in the months after this image, and became second baronet in the
Davis-Goff Baronetcy after his father's death in 1918....
Photographer:
A. H. Poole
Collection:
Poole Photographic Studio, Waterford
Date: Catalogue range c.1901-1954. But confirmed as January 1914
NLI Ref:
POOLEWP 2592
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at
catalogue.nli.ie
Owner: National Library of Ireland on The Commons
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Tags: ahpoole arthurhenripoole glassnegative nationallibraryofireland mrandmrsherbertgoff attheraces binoculars dress hats racing