Father's Day Gift Ideas of a Framed Picture

Stuck for a gift idea? Why not buy him a classic framed photograph from the Irish Photo Archive.

 

 

Choose from many memorable photos from key events in Ireland's recent past.

 

These pictures cover sporting, entertainment and cultural events.

Purchase these and other framed prints at the Irish Photo Archive

Gift's for St Patrick's Day

Why not get someone a memorable framed photograph to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

These stylish black & white photographs are perfect for parents, friends, spouses and relatives. A wonderful gift from Ireland.

Purchase framed photographs @ Irish Photo Archive

Austerity Not Working

An unemployment march and rally in Ireland in April 1957

A report by the group Caritas on the impact of the austerity programme on Ireland and in four other European countries has featured in an RTE  news item. The report called The Impact of the European Crisis was published last Thursday and has cast serious doubt on the current economic orthodoxy. According to RTE:

The first in-depth examination of the impact of austerity policies on people in the five EU countries worst affected by the economic crisis concludes that the policy of prioritising austerity is not working.

Anti-austerity marches have taken place across Europe in recent years.

Caritas represents 49 Catholic organisations involved in charity, relief and aid work worldwide. Speaking with RTE its Secretary General Europe, Jorge Nuño Mayer warned:

Through these political austerity measures politicians are creating a structural poverty, a structural unemployment and we will have a lost generation of young people who won't find a job because they have no possibility to work and no possibility to develop their employability ... There are solutions. We need structural funds to be invested in more employment and anti-poverty measures, but also we need a better solution of the debt crisis, we need that the decisions are not simply cutback, cutback, cutback.

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Garda Killing

The investigation into the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe continues on both sides of the Irish border as An Garda Siochana continues to gather intelligence before reportedly moving against the gang involved.

Garda Donohoe was gunned down by armed raiders outside a Credit Union building in County Louth. He received a state funeral where many thousands turned out to pay their respects.

Garda Donohoe is the first member of an Garda Siochana to be shot dead while on duty since the killing of Garda Jerry McCabe in 1996. Earlier in 1986, close to where Garda Donohoe lost his life, Garda Sergeant Patrick Morrisey was 'executed' as he lay wounded on the ground following an armed raid in Ardee, County Louth. Two men convicted of that murder were sentenced to death but their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of forty years imposed.

Many Gardai have died in shooting incidents involving people linked to political violence in the North. Noel and Marie Murray were convicted of the 1975 murder of Garda Michael Reynolds who tried to apprehend them after an armed robbery.

Funeral of Garda Michael Reynolds in September 1975



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Eamon de Buitlear dies aged 83

The Irish wildlife film-maker died last night at his home in Degeny, Co. Wicklow. Mr de Buitlear was one of Irelands first independent film-makers. From the 1960's onwards he made many documentaries about Ireland's wildlife.

He filmed and co-produced the Amuigh Faoin Speir series (Out under the Sky) with Dutch artist Gerrit Van Gelderen.  In 1986, his television programme, Cois Farraige leis an Madra Uisce, won a Jacob Award and in 1987 he was appointed by the government to the Seanad. The programmes had a major impact on the Irish publics attitudes to the environment.

Pictured with Charles Haughey at an Coillte event at the Shelbourne Hotel in September 1990.

He was an accomplished musician, playing the mouth organ and button accordion and authored  several books including schoolbooks on Ireland's natural history.  In November 2012, de Buitlear donated his personal archive to NUI Galway.

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The Sign of the Cross.

Last week the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled in favor of a British Airways employee who took a case to Strasbourg claiming that she was the victim of discrimination on the grounds of her religious faith.

Nadia Eweida alleged that BA compelled her to desist from wearing a small white gold cross if it could be viewed by members of the public. The court upheld that under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights Ms Eweida's rights had been breached.

Three other Christians who made similar claims had their cases rejected by the court.

The judgement will have consequences for the 'cultural war' that is ongoing between secular and religious perspectives. While Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern spoke out against what he claimed was an 'aggressive secularism'. Two years ago Dublin hosted the World Atheist Convention which signified for many the decline of religious influence in Ireland.

Religious bodies such as the Iona Institute continue to campaign in defense of Christian values.

Archbishop John Charles McQuaid meeting Taoiseach Sean Lemass in the 1960s.

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Dreamliner is something of a nightmare.

The international aviation industry has been hit by an air safety problem which has led to a number of countries temporarily withdrawing the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from service.

The carrier only came into service last October.

It followed a decision by US authorities to call a halt to fights by the flagship plane. The BBC reports that European regulators have also called for the Dreamliner to be grounded.

Boeing has maintained that the planes pose no safety hazard. Yet despite its short life span in the industry the carrier has experienced a range of faults, the most serious of which has been traced to battery malfunction.

Fifty of the state of the art models have been bought by countries including India and Japan. Ireland however does not have any in its current fleet.

Plane arriving at Dublin Airport in 1974 carrying the Australian Prime Minister

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A Missed Opportunity

A new report which describes Jimmy Savile as  "a prolific, predatory sex offender" has found that the notorious abuser could have been brought to book while alive had police and prosecutors been more diligent in their handling of complaints.   Alison Levitt QC, legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), in her report claimed that neither police nor prosecutors took the claims against Savile sufficiently seriously. Had proper procedures been in place, then in at least three cases the former BBC personality would likely have faced prosecution. 

Savile who died in 2011 aged 84 has been the source of much controversy since a recent flurry of allegations have come to the surface about his predatory behaviour. According to the Irish Times 

Friday's report said he had committed 214 criminal offences including 34 rapes or serious sexual assaults across the country. Of his victims, 73 per cent were under 18 and 82 per cent were female. The oldest was 47 and the youngest just 8.

The BBC has again apologised.

Savile meeting Taoiseach Charles Haughey in 1980

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A Long History

Recent attacks on the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) over the holiday period have fortunately resulted in no loss of life or in people being injured.

The attacks according to a PSNI Spokesperson, George Hamilton, were carried out by dissident republicans opposed to peace.

Republican attacks on the police in the North have a long history. Over three hundred Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers lost their lives during the conflict mostly at the hands of the Provisional IRA. But before the Provisional IRA came into existence police were also targeted by previous incarnations of the IRA.

Operation Harvest, the codename given to its border campaign which the IRA launched in December 1956 quickly saw fatalities. Limerick IRA member Sean South died on New Year's Day the following month while mounting an armed attack on a police station in Co Fermanagh. He was buried on this day in 1957.

Funeral of Sean South



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Santa Claus

The day after Christmas is traditionally one longed for by sports lovers, and for race goers Leopardstown will be offering an event filled calendar beginning on Boxing Day. Hospitality and restaurant facilities are available.  

Irish racing fans are all too aware that Ireland has produced no small number of winners over the years.

Santa Claus retuning home after winning the 1964 Epsom Derby

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Christmas Eve

As the children are filling the family home with excitement one parent could do worse than take them off down to watch the Christmas lights while the other gets the Santa presents ready. If you don't have it done by now Christmas Eve is the last opportunity you will have.

Christmas lights in O'Connell Street in 1967

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The women of Ireland

‘A victory for the women of Ireland’ is how Health Minister James O’Reilly described the decision by the government to introduce a combination of  legislation and regulation so as to give effect to the 1992 X Case judgment.

The speed with which the cabinet have moved in this thorny area has been prompted by public concern over the handling of the pregnancy of Savita Halappanavar who died last month in a Galway Hospital.

Ireland has a long and contentious history regarding access to pregnancy termination. In earlier years the pro-life bodies constituted a powerful lobbying group.

Mother Teresa speaking at a meeting of the Society For The Protection of Unborn Children in 1980

In recent years that influence seems to have waned as it has come under sustained challenge from pro choice groups.

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On this day 38 years ago

Cearbhall O'Dalaigh was sworn in as the fifth President of the Irish Republic.

President O'Dalaigh center with Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave left.

Following the sudden death of President Erskine Childers, Mr Cearbhall O'Dalaigh was nominated by The Fianna Fail party as its candidate to replace him.

O'Dalaigh was a barrister by profession who had served as Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court from 1961- 1973. The Fine Gael /Labour coalition government did not oppose the nomination and Mr O'Dalaigh was elected unopposed on a joint party agreement.

President O' Dalaigh shakes hands with Chief Justice O'Higgins after being sworn in.

He resigned in controversial circumstances in October 1976 after the Minister for Defence publicly criticised his action in referring an emergency powers bill to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality.

An elderly Eamon DeValera pictured at the inauguration.

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Irish Aviation

A preliminary investigation into last month’s plane crash near Birr airfield, Co Offaly, has found that the plane had no technical defects. The investigation will now focus on the amount of fuel the plane was carrying at the moment of impact.


Two men lost their lives in the air traffic accident. Flying instructor Niall Doherty from Roscrea and trainee pilot Damien Deegan from Crinkle were both 31.

Below are some images from Ireland's aviation history.

Captain Darby Kennedy - Weston Aerodrome, Leixlip, Co. Kildare.

A Westland Widgeon Helicopter, arrives at Dublin Airport on its way to the Air Display at Weston, Leixlip, Co. Kildare.

A de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth pictured on the ground readying for takeoff .

The black and white pictures show classic aircraft at the air show at Weston Aerodrome, Ireland.  The Westland Widgeon helicopter (pictured middle) was built in the 1950s but was never commercially successful and only fourteen were built.

Anti-Salmon Farm Protests

A protest is taking place today at at the Cork office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. it is being organised by a number of anti-fish farm groups who plan on marching to Minister Simon Coveney’s Carrigaline constituency office to voice their opposition to government policy on fish farming.


Ireland has a reputation for being home to some of the best fishing rivers in Europe, attracting many anglers from foreign climes.

1950s image of angler plying his trade along one of Ireland's many rivers


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New French Diaspora

France’s Prime Minister has expressed his displeasure at the country’s 'greedy rich' who have flocked to foreign climes in a bid to evade taxation laws in their own country. Jean-Marc Ayrault has lambasted his wealthy fellow nationals for their avarice. 

Those who are seeking exile abroad are not those who are scared of becoming poor … (but) … because they want to get even richer. We cannot fight poverty if those with the most, and sometimes with a lot, do not show solidarity and a bit of generosity. 

In 1968 French society was rocked to the core when students and others took to a more insurrectionary form of politics against the system of government overseen by President Charles De Gaulle.

Charles de Gaulle and President de Valera seated on a couch talking in Áras An Uachtarain 

In the summer of 1969, General Charles De Gaulle, the retired President of France visited Ireland. Accompanying De Gaulle was his wife Yvonne and his aide de camp Admiral Francois Flohic.

He was descended from the Irish clan of McCartan, on his mother’s side, De Gaulle's great-grandmother was Marie Angelique McCartan and he had a keen interest in Irish history.

He fulfilled a lifetime ambition to visit Ireland in 1969.

Former President De Gaulle plants a tree in the grounds of Áras an Uachtarain

General Charles de Gaulle with President Eamon De Valera at Áras an Uachtarain

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Dublin Buses

The bus service in Dublin has made the news in recent years for a number of tragic reasons.

Serious incidents involving buses in which members of the public have lost their lives have forced Dublin buses centre stage in terms of news worthiness.

It has been not only traumatic for those who have been the victims of accidents and their families as well as onlookers, but also for the drivers of the vehicles concerned. A long time seems to have passed since the men and women who provide such a valuable public service made the news with a smile.

First CIE Dublin woman bus driver back in 1980

Michael Hughes pictured with the chunk of gold he discovered in Co. Monaghan, Ireland on 01/02/1957

Monaghan Farmer Michael Hughes (far right) watches on as the gold he discovered is inspected.

The pictures were featured in the Sunday Express Newspaper in 1957.

Although the grade of the gold in Co Monaghan is relatively low by world standards, the sheer size of the find and the surging prices of gold mean it could still be hugely profitable.
 
The biggest gold mine in Britain and Ireland was discovered in 2009 at Clontibret, Co Monaghan close to the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
 

Milo O'Shea

Milo O Shea

Milo O'Shea

Born in Dublin in 1926 he joined the Dublin Abbey Players at the age of 19. However, it would be a decade later before Milo O Shea first gained public acclaim and recognition when he began a stage career under the tutelage of Harry Dillon who ran the 37 Theatre Club in Dublin's Lower O'Connell Street. 

In the UK he came to prominence courtesy of his role in the BBC sitcom Me Mammy which ran from 1968 to 1971.

He also made it on the big screen through films such as the 1967 version of Ulysses.

In 1973 He played Inspector Boot in the 1973 horror movie Theatre of Blood.

His career brought him to the US where he acted alongside Paul Newman in The Verdict. Famed for his imposing eyebrows he He also played the character of Chief Justice Roy Ashland in the US series The West Wing.

Milo O'Shea's acting career has lasted eight decades.