Vanishing Ireland: Turtle Bunbury and James Fennell
The Vanishing Ireland Project began in 2001 when historian Turtle Bunbury and photographer James Fennell began to extensively tour Ireland in a bid to chronicle a world that seemed to be disappearing rapidly.
Eleven years later, the duo have launched three volumes of the best-selling ‘Vanishing Ireland‘ series with a fourth due out in 2013.
‘We started with people we knew’, explains Turtle. ‘They were mostly bachelor farmers in our home counties of Kildare and Carlow. Then we upped the ante and headed on a series of road trips all over Ireland, heading down every back-road we could find, sometimes on a whim but mostly because someone had recommended a particular character to us. We expanded our brief to encompass any man or woman – ideally over the age of 80 – who had experienced a traditional, working class upbringing. We sought out blacksmiths, saddlers, farmers, fishermen, housemaids, lace-makers, publicans, postmen, thatchers, musicians, monks, anyone who would help us to gain a better understanding of a world which was fading fast’.
The Vanishing Ireland books are an invaluable record of times past, with over 250 people interviewed to date. The third volume, ‘Vanishing Ireland – Recollections of Our Changing Times‘, was the best-selling picture book in Ireland last Christmas, while the series has been consistently shortlisted for the Best Irish Published Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards. The series has now sold over 60,000 books while the Vanishing Ireland facebook group also has a rapidly growing following. Photographic exhibitions from the ‘Vanishing Ireland’ series at the Hunt Museum in Limerick City and the Visual Arts Centre in Carlow have also enjoyed fantastic responses.
Here is a selection of five people from the project.
George Thomas
1926-2009
George Thomas with the kettle on. Photo: James Fennell
Farmer
Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow
In George’s paraffin-lit kitchen, the only noise was that of the turf burning on the vast open hearth, the fire gently fanned by a wheel-operated under-floor pipe. Above the fire was the crane with a couple of hanging pots, used by George for both baking and cooking. The pots and kettle could be raised or lowered, or moved sideways as the occasion demanded. ‘You couldn’t bring any lady to live under my conditions’, he joked. ‘It’s been declared unfit for human habitation – but luckily I’m not human’.
Baby Rudden
Born 1923
Baby Rudden with arguably the best name and best expression ever. Photo: James Fennell
Cattle farmer
Redhills, Co. Cavan
‘There were no school buses when we were young. We had to gather whins [gorse] to get the school fire going. We brought our own turf too. We knew no different because we were all hard up. My father used to beat the water off the ferns on the rocks so we’d not get our feet wet when we walked to school’.
John & Pat Piggot
Born 1931
John and Pat Piggot (pooch remains anonymous but comfortable). Photo: James Fennell
Farmers & Musicians
Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry
Like many Kerry farmers, the Piggot twins have a keen sense of music. Pat is highly skilled in playing the melodeon or squeezebox. ‘I learned by the air’, he says. ‘By listening’, adds John ingenuously, as if that settles it. The music they play invokes memories of cross-road dances, lush green valleys and Atlantic steamers heading far away. As Pat plays and John taps his foot, we drift together into a distant world where unspoken sorrows mingle gently with hissing turf fires and winter rains.
Pat Gleeson
(1904-2010)
Pat Gleeson, fireside. Photo: James Fennell
Farmer – Bodyke
East Clare
‘My grandfather was born just after the Famine. His name was Bartholomew and he had the pub at the O’Callaghan Mills. I was the eldest of five but my mother died in 1911 when I was seven years old. Money was scarce and times were hard but the outbreak of war in 1914 brought greater hardship. My father sold the pub and moved to New York with my younger brothers and I was left behind to look after an elderly aunt. She had no one to care for her so I stopped here. Otherwise I would have gone out to the brothers. I never saw my father again after that. He died in New York and is buried there. But, I have seen the Statue of Liberty. In the 1960s, I flew to America for a reunion with the brothers. They showed me Wall Street, the United Nations and the Westpoint Academy. I saw a monument to all the Irish who died in the American Civil War. I got the surprise of my life to see all these local names I was used to seeing here at home.’
Tomás Ó Nialláin
Born 1932
Tomás Ó Nialláin – The Music Maker. Photo: James Fennell
Farmer & Melodeon Player
Gort, Co. Galway
‘My own wedding was the first I had ever been to,’ says Tomás. ‘The morning we got married, everyone was talking at breakfast and they asked me to say something. I was so excited and privileged to have the lovely girl. I wanted to thank her father and mother for giving her to me. But what the Christ did I say only I thanked them for giving me the farm.’
If you have any suggestions of characters that Turtle and James should visit, let them know via the Vanishing Ireland facebook page.
The books are available on Amazon.
Our Daughter moved to ireland from Australia 14 years ago, around the other way to a lot of young people leaving ireland for Australia. I feel Ireland is home for us now as my Great, Great, Grandmother was deported from Belfast to Australia for stealing a lace handkerchief. Her name was Cathleen McCarthy and she married John Finlay in NSW. We visit as often as we can to spend time with our Daughter and her partner Finbar Byrne. We love ireland “to the moon and back” and will spend 6 months there next year driving down back roads and photographing what ever we see. My husband is an artist and loves photographing scenes and painting them when we get home. Thank you for this book and for preserving some of the old Ireland for future generations.
Keep up the good work!! I have visited Ireland and love it!! More stories and more pictures around your beautiful Ireland please!
An bhreá ar fad an cur síos seo, Go raibh míle maith agat.
Nach bhfuil se sin, The Old Wolf? obair ionatach ar fad i mo thuraim. Ba ea e uafasach ar fad a rinne dearmaid ar na daoine seo.
Thankx for this!
I love this. I most certainly am going to get the books. Though I’ve never been to Ireland it is my heritage. These books bring out the true beauty of the country. One day I will get to see it in person… As your books as my tour guide. Thank you.
As a photographer myself & of Irish decent, you couldn’t have put together a more perfect tribute to the Ireland we love so dearly. Thank you!
For any Discover Ireland visitors new to this project, you might also consider joining the Vanishing Ireland facebook group so we can keep you posted on upcoming exhibitions and books on the project. Here is the group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/398232653565513/ Cheerio for now, James & Turtle
so LOVELY..!!! thankyou for presrving the heritage…
And for anyone interested to see more photos from the project, have a look at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4420374314326.185465.1437961471&type=3
Ireland called to me starting in 2009. I went the following year and every one after. It is HOME to me now. I suppose, it always has been. I draw strength on those green hills and I have been healed by Her power. I deepen my own feminine energy every time I am there. This year I heard Her say that I was not leaving Her, but She is with me always. I intend to be living there soon. I do love Ireland more than words can properly express.
Beautiful concept. . Thank you for taking on this great project!
Love the pictures i was in Ireland in 2008 stayed at Tallaught rode the train everday into Dublin ,i saw only only one person older than me ,even going out in the country and he was chewing a policeman butt out.,I,m 63 now.I,m also looking for any mcearley,s or mcearl,s in Ireland i know there some in Dublin,but haven,t been able to make contact.richardmcearl@yahoo.com——usa—Hot Springs Ar. hometown of Bill CLINTON
I can’t wait for the day I visit,all my family was Irish and they are all gone now .It’s from Sullivan’s, Delaney, McGovern, and more.
Many more. It is my Hearts desire is to visit my family’s home land. My Grandfather was a boxer his name was “Paddy Sullivan” so many more to talk about. I want to come and just sit on a a big rock and let the ocean Breeze flow through me .I’m not to crazy about tours but I will go on one but I would love to stay in a Hostel or a Bed and Breakfast. .If anyone has any Idea’s here is my e-mail Kathleen.w@frontier.com
I have had an affinity to Ireland for a long time. I have asked my mother repeatedly when did I first talk about it. Most importantly how did it start. It is the only place on God’s green earth that I have always, always, always wanted to go. She has no idea when where how or why. I love this so much that when I see something about Ireland or see pictures I am immediately drawn to it. So I started looking through your pictures. Lo and behold I find a picture of Pat Gleeson who looks just like my Grandfather. We never knew much about his family because his Mother and Father died when he was young. The family name isn’t Gleeson. So I have no idea, I am pressing my Mother for details. Thank you for this! I am praying for a trip over there.
This is the Ireland I fell in love with during my first visit in 1977. Thank you for preserving it as best you can. I visit Ireland often and still lament the loss of the old ways. Greed took over Ireland during the time of the Celtic Tiger and things changed utterly.
I only started visiting ireland 4 years ago but visit yearly now and love it. I am hoping the traditional music continues. We took a Trafalgar tour the first year and were taken to a private home with a Father who played the Baron, the son played the spoons and the Mother the fiddle, blooming marvellous. We also again visited a private home where two of the teenage children were Irish dancers, a boy and a girl. We were entertained through dinner with dancing singing and a two piece fiddle and flute band again this was the highlight of the tour. The history and ruins are spectacular but the people are the key to preserving the past. Thanks again for what you are doing.
Six years ago my wife helped me fulfill a life long dream of visiting Ireland. She believes somewhere in my past is Irish ancestory. We’ve looked, but can’t make the connection. I love Ireland, the history, the tradition, the music, but most of all the people. Visiting was absolutley thrilling. I can’t wait to come back and visit again. My most memorable experience was simply meeting and listening to the people there. The rich history and beautiful country holds my constant interest. Preserving the past is vital to your future. I am so enjoying the posts here.
I am from the north of Ireland but have lived in mayo where I feel my real home is. We go horse riding there near louisburgh..riding on the deserted beaches. Wonderful! I live the site…such a good idea. I’m writing a dissertation on Joyce and Irish myth so am interested in everything from folklore to politics.
Hi all,
Many thanks for your kind comments, interesting stories and support of the Vanishing Ireland project. (I hope you’ve found its Facebook page okay).
Can I also encourage you to have a look at http://www.facebook.com/Wistorical which is another page I am building up which looks at all things Irish from an international perspective.
Cheerio for now,
Turtle