Running currently-26 May
National Photographic Archive
Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 10am-4:45pm/Sun 12-4:45pm
The end of World War I, the suffragette movement, the global flu pandemic and the first meeting of Dáil Eireann are among the pivotal moments in Irish history recounted in From Ballots to Bullets: Ireland 1918-1919 at the National Photographic Archive.
The exhibition documents the two tumultuous years leading to the birth of the Irish Republic through the National Library of Ireland’s rich holding of photographs, contextualised by newspapers, posters, postcards and advertisements. Items on display include: anti-conscription articles, general election posters and evocative photography taken during key moments, such as Constance Markievicz’s return to Dublin following release from prison, and delegates entering the first sitting of Dáil Eireann in 1919.
A bold, graphic timeline leads visitors through the dramatic events of this era and serves as the backdrop for much of the material on display. Multimedia elements such as a rolling video display of contemporary and archival footage, and a touchscreen display, add a sensory, tactile dimension to the exhibition, allowing visitors to get ‘hands-on’ with history.
About the National Photographic Archive
The National Photographic Archive is part of the National Library of Ireland (NLI), the library of record for Ireland. The NLI’s mission is to collect, protect, share, and make available the recorded memory of Ireland, in whatever form it takes. National Library collections are permanent, accessible by all, and the NLI aims to share the story of Ireland through unique collections.
The National Library of Ireland cares for more than ten million items including photographs, books, manuscripts, newspapers, prints, maps, drawings, ephemera, music, and digital media on behalf of the State for the people of Ireland. It is a great privilege, and an enduring responsibility.