RCB Library Notes08 Mar 19

Photographs from the Archives

The RCB Library currently holds over a thousand individual collections of manuscripts. These unique and distinctive collections contain a wealth of material and consist of a fascinating array of mixed media, including letters, diaries, and scrapbooks, as well as photographs. The Library has recently received donations of some fascinating photographs which provide a wonderful insight into the personal life of clergy members of the Church of Ireland during the 20th century, as well as a visual impression of rural life in Ireland during this period.

The collection pertaining to Canon Britain Lougheed (1882–1952), which was donated by his son Canon Brian Lougheed, has been accessioned as RCB Library MS 1073. Canon Britain Lougheed was ordained in 1906 and served numerous parishes throughout his career, including Kiltennel (in the diocese of Leighlin), Drumcliffe, Borrisokane, and Kilburran (all in the diocese of Killaloe) and then beginning his association with the diocese of Meath during his period as incumbent in Clara, where he served from 1927 until his death in 1952 (while taking Service at Clara Church).

Another recent donation, from Mrs Belinda Seager and catalogued under RCB Library MS 1074, uncovers a glimpse of the clerical life in the Burren during the 1920s in Ireland. The photograph shows her grandfather, the Revd ‘Harry’ Daly, rector of Kilfenora and Lisdoonvarna with Rathbourney (1925–1931), in full clerical dress and on his bicycle. A note on the reverse of the photograph states: ‘Harry starting out to cycle to Killaloe’. Effectively the rector of ‘The Burren’, his round trip on his bike every Sunday was over 30 miles. Mr Daly was born on 21st August 1873 in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, the son of the Ven Henry Varian Daly, Archdeacon of Clonfert. He died on 15th May 1931, and is buried in Kilmacduagh, a parish in which both he and his father served.

Some of the details for these photographs are identified, but others remain a mystery, and members of the public are invited to contact the Library if they have any further information.