In Our Own Image: Photography in Ireland 1839 to the Present

Launch exhibition for our year-long In Our Own Image programme presenting the first comprehensive historical and critical survey of photography in Ireland. Presented at the Printworks, Dublin Castle in partnership with the Office of Public works / Dublin Castle

In Our Own Image: Photography in Ireland 1839 to the Present

Curated by Photo Museum Ireland (formerly Gallery of Photography Ireland) in partnership with the Office of Public Works, Dublin Castle, our In Our Own Image: Photography in Ireland 1839 to the Present survey exhibition charts how the medium has both reflected and shaped Irish cultural identity, from the work of the earliest photographic pioneers up to the emergence of a recognisably modern state. Throughout the period of intense change that characterised Ireland in the late 19th and into the mid-20th century, we see how photography served as a mirror for shifting experiences of what it meant to be Irish. More than that, it also defined the way we saw ourselves, creating an image of life on the island of Ireland that still forms part of our identity today.

- The exhibition surveys the contribution of early photographic pioneers such as Augusta Dillon, Mary Rosse, and the Tensions.
- Photography’s role as an eyewitness to history is explored through the work of Robert French, William Lawrence, A.R. Hogg and others. 
- Photographs of life in the west of Ireland by J.M. Synge and surveys of heritage sites by Robert Welch and Jane Shackleton highlight the contribution of photography to the Celtic Revival movement.
- Photography’s role in constructing popular representations of Irishness is outlined through the production of romantic images to feed the new tourist market. 
- The use of photography as reportage during the War of Independence and the Irish Civil War contrasts official viewpoints with the more nuanced perspectives of commercial and citizen photographers. 
- The concluding section presents an overview of the key social and infrastructural developments that defined the emergence of the modern Irish state framed through the vision of creative Irish photographers up to the 1970s.

This historical survey exhibition reveals the depth of our shared photographic heritage, viewed through important works by key photographers held in leading archives, cultural institutions, museums, and private collections.

In Our Own Image - a year-long programme

The launch exhibition at Printworks, Dublin Castle was the first in a year-long landmark series of In Our Own Image exhibitions, online programmes, installations, events and education programmes, combining to examine how photography has recorded and shaped diverse cultural identities in Ireland. Innovative public art and online programmes invite audiences to contribute to conversations about what it means to be Irish today. This comprehensive survey of contemporary practices features works by artists supported by Photo Museum Ireland since it was established in 1978 under the name Gallery of Photography Ireland. The programme includes the establishment of the new National Photography Collection initiative marks the commencement of a process of working with artists to build an archive collection that acts as a repository that preserves a record of contemporary practice in Ireland.

Curatorial team: Photo Museum Ireland team Darren Campion, Tanya Kiang, Trish Lambe, Brendan Maher. Guest curators: Myles Campbell, Kate Horgan, Pauline Vermare, Orla Fitzpatrick, Brenda Malone, Deirdre Robb,

New interactive Photography in Ireland Timeline - now live

Our new interactive Photography in Ireland Timeline gives a unique insight into the development of this most democratic of mediums. Click on the image below to engage with this new resource celebrating Ireland rich photographic heritage.

In Our Own Image partners and funders
Presented by Photo Museum Ireland/Gallery of Photography Ireland and the Office of Public Works, Dublin Castle, organised in partnership with: The National Library of Ireland, The National Museum of Ireland, National Museums NI, The National Archives, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, RTÉ Archives, UCD Archives, Irish Folklore Commission, University College Cork, Sean Sexton Collection, Creative Ireland, and the Arts Council of Ireland. 

Supported by: Dublin City Council Commemorative Committee, The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, The Department of Foreign Affairs, The Heritage Council of Ireland, Office of Public Works, Dublin Castle, Creative Centenaries NI, National Museum of Ireland, RTÉ Supporting the Arts

Press Coverage:

“In Our Own Image… A brilliant and fascinating initiative” Fiona Shields, Head of Photography,
The Guardian To view The Guardian feature of 15 December click here

“Facing forward. Images from the past.
Uma Kadamakudi (14) from Conley College, Leixlip, at the launch exhibition for In Our Own Image: Photography in Ireland 1839 to the Present - Photograph courtesy © Kenneth O’Halloran “
Front Cover of The Irish Times

RTÉ Arena feature - Seán Rocks talks to one of the curators Trish Lambe about ‘In Our Own Image’ on Arena, RTE’s arts, culture and entertainment radio programme.

Three Castles Burning podcast - Historian Donal Fallon’s ‘Three Castles Burning’ podcast features an insightful take ‘On Photography’ inspired by ‘In Our Own Image’ …. curated by “the brilliant Gallery of Photography”.

IN OUR OWN IMAGE CONFERENCE

The April 27th In Our Own Image Conference will examine the legacy of the Decade of Centenaries, reflecting on issues of equality, diversity and inclusion. This event addressed the role of photography in recording our unfolding histories to consider what histories are remembered, and what histories have been omitted. Organised by the Photo Museum Ireland (formerly Gallery of Photography Ireland) and the Nerve Centre's Creative Centenaries project, the event considered the role of photography in recording our unfolding histories to consider what has been remembered and what has been omitted. As we move towards the final years of the Decade of Centenaries commemorations, this conference bought together leading historians, academics, artists, curators and cultural figures from across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain to reflect on issues of equality, diversity and inclusion and how we might better reflect diverse histories and perspectives.  Panel discussions chaired by Tommy Graham (History Ireland), Mark Duncan (Century Ireland) and Paul Mullan (National Lottery Heritage Fund).  Organised by Gallery of Photography Ireland as part of our ‘In Our Own Image’ project and the Nerve Centre’s Creative Centenaries project. The event is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund, by the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Shared History Fund and by the OPW/Dublin Castle.

In Our Own Image: Photography in Ireland, 1839 to the Present has been made possible by contributions from: the Estate of Fergus Bourke; Irish Jesuit Archive/Fr. Francis Browne SJ Collection; Clare County Library; Davison and Associates; the estate of Dennis Dineen; the estate of Bill Doyle; ESB Archives; Arthur Fields: Man on Bridge; J. Paul Getty Museum; the Estate of Helen Hooker O’Malley; John Hinde Collection; Alen MacWeeney; Magnum Photos; New York Public Library; Parsons Family, Birr Castle; Photo Album of the Irish; Queen’s University, Belfast; Royal Collection Trust, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland; Sean Sexton Collection; the Estate of Jane W. Shackleton; Tipperary Museum of Hidden History; Trinity College, Dublin; Waterford City and County Archives. Gallery of Photography Ireland would like to thank Dr. Myles Campbell, Research and Interpretation Officer (Curator) for the Office of Public Works at Dublin Castle and Mary Heffernan, General Manager at Office of Public Works, Historic Properties, Heritage Services and Head of Collections. Gallery of Photography Ireland is a registered charity funded by The Arts Council, Dublin City Council and by a lot of great people who love photography.