An image from 99 years ago, depicting young actors in a nativity scene in Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School, Rosbercon, features in the new Old Ireland in Colour book.
Established in 1924 by the Holy Faith Sisters, the school was one of the best known boarding schools in the country for girls for many years.
The nativity play has had a very enduring history in Ireland, both in religious and non-religious schools and was celebrated at the school in 1924.
“The costumes here are particularly impressive and while we can see some expected characters – Mary, Joseph and the Angel – the witch’s hat is a surprising addition and one for which we don’t have a definitive explanation, although one possible theory is that it could be the Befana, a good witch who brings sweets and gifts to children in Italy on the eve of the Epiphany,” said the authors John Breslin and Sarah-Anne Buckley.
Sourced from the National Library of Ireland, the photograph features in what is the third instalment of their record-breaking Old Ireland in Colour series. The authors have uncovered yet more photographic gems and breathed new life into them in glorious colour.
The book – which runs to 272 pages – is available in hardback for €24.99.
Source : Independent
