Reflecting 1916
Reflecting 1916 is a photography-based programme, which includes a specially curated photographic exhibition, street-based art installations, outdoor projections and public talks and workshops.
This exhibition features photographs taken by eyewitnesses to this pivotal period in Ireland’s history, a number of which are being shown in public for the first time.
A centrepiece installation of large-scale photos captures the destruction of Dublin and offers viewers a dramatic, immersive experience. This is contextualised by explorations of the use of photography to represent the idealism and growing militarism of the revolutionary generation. The wider use of photography as a vital tool for propaganda focuses on Roger Casement and his use of photography to highlight crimes against humanity. Casement’s own documentary photographs from the Putamayo offer an insight into his evolution from British imperialist to Irish revolutionary. A further sequence includes images of the widows and orphans of the Rising that were reproduced in the Catholic Bulletin in 1916, highlighting how photography was used to sway public opinion in the immediate aftermath. The final section looks at how the Rising has been represented in subsequent commemorations.
Accompanied by a catalogue with essays contributed by leading writers and historians, Reflecting 1916 is an exploration of the role played by photography in shaping our memory of the Easter Rising. It draws from our rich photographic heritage held in national collections and private albums and includes photographs generously contributed by the Capuchins Ireland Archive; Dublin City Library and Archive; Irish Military Archives; Kilmainham Gaol; The National Photographic Archive/National Library of Ireland; The National Museum of Ireland; Pearse Museum; RTÉ Archives; Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; Trinity College Archives and UCD Archives. Curated by Trish Lambe. Organised in collaboration with RTÉ Reflecting the Rising in Partnership with Ireland 2016.
Reflecting 1916 Events Programme
Outdoor Projection Easter Sunday 27th March
Venue: Meeting House Square, Temple Bar
Projection presentations by the National Photographic Archive/The National Library and Gallery of Photography look at the role of photography in documenting and commemorating the Easter Rising.
Feature presentation: Irish premiere of PROCLAMATION – an assertive multi-venue art project by leading figures from the Irish visual art, dance and performance world – engaging with the Centenary of the 1916 Rising. Featured Artists: Jazmin Chiodi & Alexandre Iseli, Andrew Duggan, Olwen Fouéré, Anthony Haughey, Francis Hegarty & Andrew Stones, Nigel Rolfe and John Scott.
Reflecting 1916 Sunday Workshops
Archiving and caring for your family photographs This 1–day workshop led by Reflecting 1916 Digital Archivists Brendan Maher and Niamh Crowley showed people how to look after and digitize theirfamily photographs.
Our Easter Monday programme of events ran as part of RTÉ Reflecting the Rising in partnership with Ireland 2016.
Free Guided tours: We held free tours of the Reflecting 1916 exhibition with relatives of 1916 rebels and the curatorial team.
Image Scans A selection of high-resolution images were available for free use by media in connection with review/previews of the exhibition.
Exhibition dates
March 19th - May 1st 2016
Gallery information
Opening hours
Open 6 days:
Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 5pm
Open Mondays by appointment for ongoing education, artists archiving and training.
Closed Sundays
Closed for bank holidays and public holidays
Admission is free
Find us
Gallery of Photography Ireland
Meeting House Square,
Temple Bar,
Dublin D02 X406, Ireland