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Claddagh by Barry Hendrickson photo

Claddagh, an Irish Icon

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“Claddagh” County Galway, Ireland by Barry Hendrickson, 10×20”
Limited edition fine art photograph $135 | © Hendrickson Fine Art Photography

Claddagh

County Galway, Ireland

Barry Thomas Hendrickson, © Hendrickson Fine Art Photography

 

I learned about the Claddagh ring from my mother. It is a long lasting Irish symbol of love and faithfulness. The heart stands for love, the hands for friendship and the crown for loyalty.  My mother gave a Claddagh ring to each of her three daughters. So, I happily received my own Claddagh ring a few decades ago. I later learned that the ring is often used as a wedding ring, and how it is worn has meaning too. If the heart points inwards, you are spoken for, or when the heart is points away are open to a new love.

 

While Barry and I were visiting Galway City, we stumbled across this carving of the Claddagh. I just loved this stone representation of the ring I knew about for so long. Of course, Barry had to photograph it.

 

An interesting fact we learned was The Claddagh was not just a ring, but a place, too. Formerly, the Claddagh was an old fishing village, situated across the river and lying outside the old city walls of Galway.  Many stories about the Claddagh ring, going back centuries start from this place. Just adding more interest to this layered Irish symbol.

 

Claddagh fishing village

This old plate glass negative of the Claddagh village was taken between 1865 and 1910. Currently, the Claddagh is a suburb of Galway City, so nothing remains of these old thatched homes. If you love these old Ireland photos like I do, you can find more at the National Library of Ireland catalogue. >

 

The Claddagh (shown at top) — Barry’s black and white photographic rendering of this long-standing Irish symbol is a favorite, loved by family, friends and collectors.

With the three symbols of love, friendship and loyalty, the Claddagh fine art print makes a great wedding present or any time gift, really!

Purchase your own Claddagh in our on-line store. >

Glendalough irish landscape photo by Barry Hendrickson

Captivating Glendalough

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Barry and I were just a few days into our first trip into Ireland, when we drove to Wicklow County to see Glendalough. The word Glendalough in Gaelic is Gleann Dá Loch meaning Glen of the Two Lakes, which is so fitting for this serene photograph. Not too far from this beautiful lake is the home one of Ireland’s most impressive monasteries. I found this ancient site captivating.

 

“Glendalough is a remarkable place that will still your mind, inspire your heart and fill your soul.”

 

Stopping at the Visitor Centre, I truly enjoyed learning about centuries of Celtic history.  I learned ‘How The Irish Saved Civilization’ and that the monastery was founded by St. Kevin in the sixth century. We explored the grounds with its stone churches, grave stones, high crosses and a middle age round tower. I found its history and natural beauty so moving. So did Barry. He spent a lot of time photographing here. This is where he photographed the well loved “Monastery” fine art photo. See it here. >   

 

All of these sites are within the Wicklow Mountains National Park.  If you wish to explore this area, there are several hiking routes or as the Irish say ‘walking’ routes throughout the park. Barry captured the Wicklow Mountains in this Irish landscape photo titled “Ruins in the Valley.”

 

“Glendalough”
County Wicklow, Ireland (shown at the top)
© Hendrickson Fine Art Photography
Limited edition, Fine Art Photographs for your home. >

 

To see “Ruins in the Valley” visit our website IrelandinBlackandWhite.com >

To see “The Monastery” visit our website IrelandinBlackandWhite.com >

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If you would like to learn “How The Irish Saved Civilization,” read Thomas Cahill’s book. It features Glendalough Monastery and tells the story of how the Celtic monasteries preserved a culture of learning through the Dark Ages. Or another option I personally loved was hearing Liam Neeson read the audio book.   

To plan your own trip to Glendalough, visit these websites:

The Glendalough Visitor Centre >

Wicklow National Park website >

Ruins in the Valley, County Wicklow by Barry Hendrickson

Wandering the Wicklow Mountains

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The Wicklow Mountains are not that far south of the city of Dublin. In the past centuries, these mountains were remote enough to have provide a refuge for opponents to the English rule. Rebels that took part in the 1798 Irish uprising, hid out in this region for years.

 

In 1800, the frustrated British started building a military road. This road was devised to help flush out the rebels, and in the end has only made this area more accessible. Currently, this winding road makes for a spectacular drive with many views of breathtaking scenery. 

 

While wandering though the Wicklow Mountains, Barry and I discovered these ruins. One can only imagine what this structure was used for in the past. Barry composed his photograph with the ruins front and center, over looking this stunning valley.

 

On a more recent note, the Wicklow Mountains have been used as a backdrop for hundreds of films. Some of the more well known productions are Excalibur, The Tudors, Ella Enchanted, P.S. I Love you, Michael Collins and Braveheart. Gazing at this landscape, it’s easy to see why films are shot here. 

 

If you’d like this artwork of the Ruins in the Valley for your home, it’s available in three sizes in our on-line store. >

 

Ruins in the Valley

County Wicklow, Ireland

 

A original fine art photo by Barry Thomas Hendrickson.
© Hendrickson Fine Art Photography

To learn more about these Irish film locations see: www.wicklowfilmcommission.com. >

Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland by Barry Thomas Hendrickson

Stone, Texture & Ancient History

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Bring it on!

This photograph ties all of these elements — stone, texture and history — together.  These carved Romanesque arches are believed to be from the 12th century. Barry and I found them in Cormac’s Chapel, one of the older structures atop the Rock of Cashel. I just love how the black and white medium shows off the texture and composition. A common theme woven among our photos.

 

We were traveling from Dublin to Kinsale, when we saw this giant stone arising out of the Tipperary plains. Hard to miss and super cool was the Rock of Cashel (Caiseal Mumhan in Gaelic). This ancient site was a symbol of power for Kings who ruled over this region for over a thousand years. Many early Christians also were here, including the famous Saint Patrick.

 

If you are traveling across Ireland, do make a stop at Rock of Cashel. You won’t forget it! 

 

Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland (above)
Barry Thomas Hendrickson
© Hendrickson Fine Art Photography


Limited edition, fine art photos of this image available in 2 sizes in my on-line store. >

 

Another fine art photo taken at the Rock of Cashel: 

Kings of Cashel, Co Tipperary, Ireland

Kings of Cashel, Co Tipperary, Ireland

Kings of Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland
Barry Thomas Hendrickson
Printed by Nancy Wojack Hendrickson
© Hendrickson Fine Art Photography

Limited edition, fine art photos are available in 3 sizes in my on-line store. >

"No Irish Need Apply" by Hendrickson Fine Art Photography 2019

No Irish Need Apply

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How Soon We Forget

I usually like to spend a great amount of time working on an image before revealing it. However, I feel compelled by recent events to show the photograph here in its preliminary stage. Tacked to the wall of a pub is a sign, surrounded by currency from all parts of the world.  It states “Help Wanted – No Irish Need Apply.”
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My ancestors were Irish immigrants. They faced this kind of discrimination here in the United States. This sign would have been directed at them. The shunning of immigrants is not a new issue. This has been going on a long time.
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The Irish Potato Famine sent over a million of Irish fleeing this small country. Many of those refugees were desperately poor and suffering from starvation. My own Irish ancestors came to America during the famine years to save themselves, to find a new life.
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During those years of heavy Irish immigration (1845 – 1852) there was strong anti-Irish sentiment and many negative Irish stereotypes prevailed. Those with Irish accents or Irish names, were barred from housing and employment opportunities. Signs like this one photographed by Barry were common.
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The United States is a nation of immigrants. How soon we forget. A generation or two will go by, and we will have figured out how to fit in. We have found some comfort and gained our own stability. So perhaps, we don’t recognize in those refugees today, our own ancestors. The needs, the hopes and the dreams are the same.
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I hope this image can help us remember the past and our own ancestors,  and in doing so, find ways to help new immigrants and refugees who seek asylum here, feel welcome.  
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A sign often found in my Minneapolis, Minnesota neighborhood.

No Irish Need Apply

An image by Nancy Wojack Hendrickson from the photo archives of the late Barry Hendrickson.

Take a look at the No Irish Need Apply prints for sale here >
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If this subject interests you, here is some more detailed articles: 

“When America despised the Irish, the 19th Century’s Refugee Crisis.” on History.com >

 

This article gives a brief overview of the potato famine and Irish immigration. > 


“Why historians are fighting about “No Irish Need Apply” signs — and why it matters” >