National Photographic Archive facts for kids
| Cartlann Grianghrafadóireachta Náisiúnta | |
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| Established | 1998 |
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| Location | Meeting House Square, Dublin, Ireland |
| Type | Photo archive |
| Public transit access | Wellington Quay bus stop Jervis Luas stop (Red Line) |
The National Photographic Archive (in Irish: Cartlann Grianghrafadóireachta Náisiúnta) is a special place in Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland. It keeps all the amazing photo collections belonging to the National Library of Ireland (NLI). This archive first opened its doors in 1998. It has a quiet reading room where people can look at old photos and a gallery that shows off different exhibitions. These exhibitions often feature pictures from the NLI's huge collection.
Contents
What is a Photo Archive?
A photo archive is like a giant, super-organized photo album for a whole country. It's a place where old and important photographs are kept safe. These pictures tell us stories about the past. They show how people lived, what places looked like, and big events that happened.
Why Photos Are Important
Photos are more than just pretty pictures. They are like windows into history. They can show us things that words alone cannot describe. For example, a photo of a street from 100 years ago can show us the clothes people wore or the types of shops that existed. This helps us understand history better.
Exploring the Collections
The National Photographic Archive holds millions of photographs. These pictures cover many different topics. They show us what life was like in Ireland over many years.
Types of Pictures You Might See
- Historical Events: Photos of important moments, like big celebrations or significant changes in the country.
- Everyday Life: Pictures of ordinary people doing everyday things, like working, playing, or going to school. These photos help us see how daily life has changed.
- Famous People: Portraits of important figures in Irish history, including writers, artists, and leaders.
- Landscapes and Buildings: Beautiful images of Ireland's natural scenery, its towns, and its famous buildings. You can see how places have changed over time.
- Family Life: Many collections include photos of families, showing traditions and how homes looked in the past.
Visiting the Archive
The National Photographic Archive is a great place to visit if you love history or photography. It's located in Meeting House Square in Temple Bar, a lively part of Dublin.
The Reading Room
If you want to look at specific photos from the collection, you can visit the reading room. This is a quiet space where you can carefully view the pictures. It's a bit like a library, but for photos! You might need to book a time to visit, especially if you are looking for something very specific.
The Exhibition Gallery
The gallery is where the archive puts on special shows. These exhibitions change regularly. They often focus on a particular theme or a part of the NLI's collection. For example, there might be an exhibition about old Dublin street scenes or famous Irish sports teams. It's a fun way to see some of the archive's treasures.
See also
