One hundred years ago in Ireland marked a time of change. The continuous
rise of an Irish revival, debates over Home Rule and the idea of Irish
identity were continuously negotiated by all classes of society. In Cork
City Reflections, authors Kieran McCarthy and Daniel Breen focus on the
visual changes that have taken place in the port city on Ireland's
south-west coast. Using a collection of historic postcards from Cork
Public Museum and merging these with modern images they reveal how the
town has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures featured
combines a recent colour view with the matching sepia archive scene. The
authors have grouped the images under thematic headings such as main
streets, public buildings, transport, and industry. Readers will be able
to appreciate how Cork City has evolved and grown over the last century
but also how invaluable postcards can be in understanding the past. In
an age where digital photography and the internet have made capturing
and sharing images so effortless, it is easy to forget that in the
decades before the camera became popular and affordable, postcards were
the only photographic souvenirs available to ordinary people. This book,
which vividly contrasts Cork past and present, will evoke many memories
and appeal to residents and visitors alike.