Father Browne took his camera to Aran islands

You've heard of Father Browne's Ireland, his Dublin, his England, his Cork, his Australia and his Titanic album.

You've heard of Father Browne's Ireland, his Dublin, his England, his Cork, his Australia and his Titanic album.

The ubiquitous cleric was also on the Aran Islands with his camera, as recorded in the latest collection published by Wolfhound Press.

Taken in 1925 and 1938, the photographs capture the spirit of a way of life now lost.

The first photo is of a steamer arriving in Kilronan. The Dun Aengus, which rocked many a stern stomach, has been decommissioned, and has been replaced by hotly competing fast ferries which have had a dramatic effect on Aran tourism.

READ MORE

Archaeological remains, currachs and other craft, religious ruins and the wild and barren rock are all represented in the selection.

Most slides were taken during his second visit.

During that time Father Browne attended a wedding at Oughill, when Pat Hernon married Mary Powell, and he caught a bridesmaid puffing a fag.

Until the end of the second World War, "made" marriages and match-making were routine on the islands.

While researching the book, editor Eddie O'Donnell was assured "made" unions usually turned out very well. "Happier than a lot of marriages today", and "Our parents knew what would make us happy" were sentiments he heard repeatedy.

Father Browne focuses on people throughout: one picture on Inis Meain shows a man holding the hand of his young son in a dress.

Small boys were often clothed as girls on the Aran Islands for fear they might be snatched away by the fairies.

The final chapter depicts the Aran lifeboat. On his first visit, in 1925, there was no rescue craft. The station opened two years later at Kilronan.

The year of Father Browne's second visit, the coxswain, John Gill and crew were involved in a famous rescue and were awarded medals by the RNLI.

Images of Aran: Photographs by Father Browne 1925 and 1938, edited by E.E. O'Donnell SJ, is published by Wolfhound Press at £9.99 paperback