T his amazing collection of colourised photographs was taken by an American photographer Branson DeCou (1892-1941) between 1932 and 1935. DeCou spent nearly thirty years travelling the world and his images of Ireland give us a rare glimpse into a way of life that has long since disappeared. His fantastic catalogue of photos is now stored at the University of California, Santa Cruz where they can be accessed digitally here. The photos were originally taken in black and white and colour was then added by DeCou with aniline ink.
Connemara woman
Connemara men
Connemara
Bringing the turf home, Connemara
Blacksmith/wheel wright, Connemara
Co. Clare
Creamery, Co. Kerry
Digging turf, Kiltoom, Co. Kerry
Nolan’s pub, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Chimney sweep, Tralee
Ladies selling vegetables, Tralee
Macroom, Co. Cork
Newcastle West, Co. Limerick
Carpenter at work, Adare, Co. Limerick
Cottage garden, Adare, Co. Limerick
The Treaty Stone, Limerick city
School children, Co. Kerry
Cattle drover, Hanlon’s corner, Dublin city
Bringing the hay home, Co. Dublin
Delivering kegs of guinness, Dublin city
Feeding the hens, Co. Donegal
Arklow harbour, Co. Wicklow
Cottage, Co. Mayo
The Claddagh, Galway city
Clothes drying, The Claddagh, Galway city
Inside a Claddagh cottage
St. Anne’s church, Cork city
Georgian doors, Merrion Square, Dublin
St. Laurence’s gate, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Bunratty castle, Co. Clare
Monasterboice, Co. Louth
Glendalough, Co. Wickow
Carrickfergus castle
St. Patrick’s cross, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Looks a veritable shangri la…!
Beautiful photos, the color adds so much detail but seems odd too. Like, they are staged from a Disney film. Very interesting to see. Thanks
I really like these old photos Colm.
Well done for putting them up
Martin
Thanks Martin
Wouldn’t be interesting to see the black and white photos beside the coloured images. The colours seam so unreal.
Great photos. Thanks for uploading. Just one quick point. Bunratty Castle , Co. Limerick tends to rise the blood of Claremen!!! – Brian.
Sorry Brian! Can’t be having any angry Clare men. I’ll correct that mistake now
I have to say I prefer he black and white look. The colouring makes them look a bit fake.
They look more like paintings than photos. But, they are beautiful nonetheless. I loved them. I’ve been to that wonderful mother land but once 5 years ago, and the pictures made me yearn to return. Thank You.
Do you have any photographs of Euston street in Greenore county louth around the early 1950s or late 1940s. I was born in Greenore in october 1949 and we lived at 27 Euston street before moving over to England in the early 1950s. My father and mothers name was Bernard and Rosh Matthews. (Benny).
Thanks for sharing. Does anyone know if the black & white images are still available somewhere?