Then HD

60 years ago today, President John F. Kennedy visited Cork city. These colour photos from the JFK library offer a vivid reminder of those short few hours. Over and above the man himself, they are a beautiful snapshot of the city and it's people in June 1963. Were you there? Can you spot yourself in the crowd?

A new panoramic view of the Grand Parade/South Mall c.1860, composited from two source images. The wider angle and addition of colour hopefully gives a feel for how the junction of the Grand Parade and South Mall looked over 160 years ago. The statue (of King George II) gave the Grand Parade it's name in Irish 'Sráid an Chapaill Bhuí' or 'Street of the Yellow Horse'.

For more background, see: https://thenhd.com/a-new-view-of-grand-parade-cork-c1860/index.html

In this restored Stereograph from the Library of Congress, we see a busy Patrick's Bridge in 1909. You can imagine the din of hard-working horses, cartwheels on cobble and gliding trams competing with the chat and banter of the city's citizens. Mangan's Clock, Father Mathew and a prominent sign for Beamish & Crawford's Stout set the scene perfectly.

https://thenhd.com/patricks-bridge-cork-1908/index.html

There's a lot going on in this wonderful photograph from the Lawrence collection. Likely date is late 1912, or a bit later. In it, we see the busy citizens of Cork, of all backgrounds and ages. The working men delivering lumber and provisions, jarveys in their jaunting cars and impeccably dressed Edwardian ladies crossing Patrick's bridge. All of them, from the young child in her mother's arms, to the distinguished gentlemen chatting by the bridge, are wearing a cap or hat of some description.

In the distance, sporting a distinctive red colour (compared to today's battleship grey) is Brian Boru bascule bridge, erected in 1911.

We get a very clear view of the old Merchant's quay, at the top of which is a barely-readable sign that, after some analysis, appears to be advertising 'River Steamer Excursions', consistent with the use of that corner of the quay in other photographs from the time.

Another rare gem is the 'Tivoli Theatre' promising 'Animated Pictures'. According to John McSweeney's excellent book 'The Golden Age of Cork Cinemas', the Tivoli was opened in November 1912 at No. 21 Merchant's Quay by a local business man. 'Billing itself as 'The Only up-to-date Picture Theatre in Cork', it was a very modern emporium for its time and has a continuous show from 4pm to 11pm daily. The Tivoli was unique in it's design features, as it guaranteed every patron would get a good view of the images on screen, regardless of where they were sitting. It also differed from many of the other picture houses, as the projector was located in a room separate from the rest of the auditorium'.

The Golden Age of Cork Cinemas

View from St. Anne's Shandon, Cork, 1945.