In pictures: The National Library’s new archive of life in Ireland during Covid-19 pandemic
Collection contains some 200 images taken by more than 70 press photographers across country in 2020 and 2021
Fr Joe O'Brien hands out holy communion from a perspex box at the Dominican Superior of Holy Cross Church in Tralee, Co Kerry during the pandemic. Photograph: Domnick Walsh
Taken between 2020 and 2021, the archive comprises close to 200 digital images and features the work of more than 70 press photographers across the country.
The collection includes photos of social distancing; widespread mask-wearing; vaccination centres; sports teams playing to empty stadiums (and prospective spectators watching through locked gates); deserted streets; healthcare workers in full PPE, as well as how people communicated with the elderly or medically vulnerable, and communities coming together – in a socially distanced way – to pay respect to the work of Ireland’s frontline workers.
It also captures photos of key officials, such as Taoiseach Simon Harris, who was then minister for health; former chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, and immunologist Professor Luke O’Neill.
A virtual hug from Gran: Elena (7) and Lucy (5) Tintori visit their grandmother Sheela behind a window during Covid-19 restrictions. Photograph: Tom Honan
Visitors to the Royal Hospital Kilmainhan on the front lawn of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, within socially distant painted circles complying with Covid-19 precautions in July 2020. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish TImes
Civil Defence volunteer Alana Hancheroff from Dun Laoghaire who volunteered her time to help in the fight against Covid-19. Photograph: Gerry Mooney/Independent News and Media
“The National Library of Ireland is Ireland’s memory-keeper. In the 21st century, as the world embraces digital over print, it is essential that we evolve with technology so that culturally significant ‘born digital’ collections can be collected, managed, and made available for future generations,” Director of the National Library of Ireland, Dr Audrey Whitty said.
“The pandemic was a very difficult time in Ireland and across the globe and we all have our own experiences and memories of it. The ‘Life under Covid-19 in Ireland’ digital archive is an incredibly valuable visual historical record of this time. It will possibly be even more valuable in the coming decades as that period begins to fade from living memory,” she said.
“In an era when digital photos can so easily be deleted to make space for other content, it is important that such digital photographic records are collected, preserved, and made available for researchers – professional or amateur – for years to come”.
Press Photographers Ireland donated the archive to the library and it will now become part of the national collections, alongside the books, manuscripts, newspapers, and other physical items the NLI has been collecting since 1877.
The digital archive will be made available to the public later this year, when it has been catalogued.
Brothers Ben and Aaron cut each other's hair during a lockdown. Photograph: Mark Condren/Independent News and Media
Sean Foley, a client at Oaklodge Nursing Home in Cloyne, Co Cork is visited by his wife Betty during Lockdown. Photograph: Michael MacSweeney
Grief in the era of Covid-19: the sad reality of not being able to say goodbye to a loved one at the funeral of John Gallagher, who died of the virus. His family had to isolate and watch through a livestream link. Photograph: David Conachy/Independent News and Media
The candlelit procession during Skibbereen Arts Festival's memorial event, A Candle in the Wind. The event commemorated everyone who passed away locally during the pandemic and were unable to receive a proper traditional funeral. Photograph: Denis Minihane
Heather Blackbyrne and Brianna Parkins soaking up the sun in Pimlico during the pandemic. Photograph: Steve Humphreys/Independent News and Media
Ellen Creed, the mother-in-law of the Irish Times' Bryan O’Brien with the flowers left for her on Mother's Day in March 2020. Photograph: Bryan O Brien/The Irish Times
Team Ireland boxer Grainne Walsh training at home in Tullamore, Co Offaly in July 2020. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
A woman hails a bus from a shelter with a Covid advert offering hope, at a time when passenger numbers were severely restricted, in Blackrock, Dublin. Photograph: Frank Miller
Sisters, Emily, Kate and Meabh Lyons meet Santa Claus, who was keeping to the Covid regulations by staying behind a perspex screen, at the Mills, Baile Mhúirne, Cork. Photograph: Dan Linehan
Keita Spilberga and her wee doggie friend Dougal keep an eye on the world and get their “Stay At Home” message across in colouful posters in Gornakesh, Cavan during the pandemic.
Seagulls window shop on Grafton Street in Dublin during lockdown in April 2020. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Empty stands at the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final Croke Park between Mayo and Tipperary in December 2020. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Owner Finn MacDonnell chats with Seamus O Grifín as he enjoys his first pint in Dick Mack's pub in Dingle Co Kerry as 'wet' pubs reopen outside Dublin after the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were imposed. Photograph: Laura Hutton
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