by Alan Jacques
Photograph: Liam Burke/Press 22
AN HISTORIC public performance of Amhrán na bhFiann signed by children from the Mid-west School for the Deaf opened the ‘Changing Faces of Ireland’ photography exhibition at Limerick’s Mary Immaculate College last week.
On display as part of the college’s programme of events to commemorate 1916, the exhibition portrays the vibrancy of school life throughout the decades with photos from two of Limerick’s oldest schools, Villiers School and Presentation Primary School. Along with photographs from more recently established schools, Limerick Educate Together East and Limerick School Project, it provides an insightfulsnapshot in time from the 1930’s all the way to 2016.
“School photographs are a wonderful way to reflect on the changes which occur in society overall,” said coordinator Brighid Golden.
“The faces of children along with the activities, clothing and surroundings in each of the photographs in this exhibition tell the story of how Limerick has evolved over time and gives an insight into Limerick of today.”
Opening the exhibition Prof Michael Healy, associate vice president of research at Mary Immaculate College thanked the participating schools for their commitment and enthusiasm to the project.
“We believe that the snapshots provided in the photographs speak to the vibrant history of schools in Limerick,” he said.
Also available to view at Mary Immaculate College is the “Life of a Child at School in the 1916 Period” exhibition which includes a life size model of 1916-style classroom currently on public display in the main foyer.
