20 Throwback Photos of Ireland That Speak To Its Timeless Beautiful Chaos

History Travel April 10, 2025

Ireland is a well-deserved vacation spot for so many. When one thinks of Ireland they’re not hard-pressed to find themselves picturing quiet village streets, and also rolling green hills that are filled with folks enjoying the slow pace of countryside living. Even Dublin is taking it easy out there. We pulled together a collection of 20 exceptional photos that at the very least make a good start at capturing Ireland’s natural beauty.

1. Dublin, 1962

Three young boys pose cheerfully in front of a building named "O'Heara's The Irish House." They are wearing casual clothing, with arms around each other, smiling at the camera in a lively urban setting.
notbob1959

These kids are ready for school.

2. During “The Troubles” in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1978

A boy smiles and holds a rock on a street with a burning barricade made of tires and wooden planks. Smoke billows into the air. Two cars and several people are in the background. A school crossing sign is visible. The scene is in black and white.
ibkeepr

Seems like he might be pre-destined for stirring up some trouble.

3. Young girls on the back wall of the tenement houses on upper Sean MacDermott Street in Dublin, Ireland circa 1970s

Two young girls in school uniforms sit and lie on a concrete wall. One girl sits with knees up, eating something, while the other lies back, gazing upwards. They are in front of a brick building with several windows.
stcstasi

It’s okay to take a break every now and again.

4. Down the road from my house Cork, Ireland, in 1910

A black and white photo of a vintage street scene with a tram moving down a cobbled road. People walk along the sidewalks beside quaint houses. Telephone poles line the street, and the sky is overcast.

And what a glorious road it seems to be at this time in history.

5. Mail car with mix of passengers, Galway, Ireland, circa 1880

A group of people, including women and a driver, are seated on a horse-drawn mail car in an old town setting. The background features historical buildings with visible signs. The scene captures a moment of travel in a past era.
slowmovingsloth

All aboard.

6. Prepare To Meet Thy God , Northern Ireland, circa 1970s

A street scene with a prominent black and white sign reading "PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD." Buildings with red brick and white facades line the street. A person walks along the sidewalk, and a red postbox is visible near a stop sign.
deleted

That colorization makes it all hit different.

7. What a fit for a crew

A group of people dressed in punk fashion stand against a building. They wear leather jackets, colorful mohawks, and boots. One person in pink stands to the side. The building features wooden paneling and large square windows.
anonymous

The gradient of colors is purely electric.

8. Ireland back in the 1900s

A black and white photo of an old cottage with a thatched roof. A woman spins yarn on a spinning wheel outside. Several people, including a child, are by the doorway, and a man sits on the ground. A dog lies near the stone path.

Seems to be a fun enough place.

9. A little boy turns a corner in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1970s

Two soldiers in camouflage gear stand alert on Little Patrick Street, holding rifles. One leans against a wall, while another faces a direction away from a child standing nearby against the building with graffiti and signage. Street has an urban feel.
theafternoonstandard

That kid needs to make some moves as soon as possible.

10. Irish couple from the late 1800s

A black-and-white photo of a man and woman standing outside. The man wears a cap, a light jacket, and smokes a pipe. The woman is in a dark shawl and checkered skirt. Behind them are a stone wall and a thatched roof.
deleted

Everything seems to be going fine.

11. Someone’s grandmother outside of Mitchelstown, Ireland, in the 1950s

A person wearing goggles and a coat sits on a motorcycle loaded with bags. Behind them are several road signs, indicating directions to towns, including Tipperary and Cahir. The scene is in black and white, suggesting a vintage setting.

What a bike.

12. A mother living with her children in an overcrowded single end tenement flat Glasgow, 1971

A black and white photo of a woman sitting on a bed with two children in a modest room. The room has patterned wallpaper, a small stove with a kettle, coats hanging on the door, and a bunk bed in the corner. The atmosphere is somber.
anonymous

Those were difficult times.

13. Paddy’s Market, Cork City, Ireland, circa 1900

A bustling outdoor street market scene in a historical setting. Numerous vendors with carts and goods line the cobblestone street as people in period attire shop and stroll. Buildings with arched windows and a distant view of the town are visible.

That market is about to be bustling.

14. Everyone mind their place, please

Five people are sitting on the edge of a tall concrete wall in an overgrown, industrial-looking area. The sky is overcast, and there are barbed wire and brick structures nearby. The ground is covered with grass and scattered debris.

Seriously, don’t fall.

15. Get a load of this turkey cart in Waterford, Ireland (1907)

A black and white photo of a group of men and a woman standing around a donkey cart filled with sacks and baskets. They are in front of a brick building. The woman is wearing a hooded cloak, and one man is in a bowler hat.
anonymousdeleted

Well, the turkeys are having a tough day then, no?

16. 1940, Dublin, Ireland

A group of five children stand in front of a worn brick building with a wooden door. The children are wearing vintage clothing and appear to be engaging with each other on a rough, stone surface. An iron railing is visible on the right.
deleted

That is not a door to play knock-knock with.

17. Home of an impoverished family. Mountain Stage, Glenbeigh, County Kerry, Ireland, circa 1887

A black and white photo of a rustic stone and thatch cottage with three adults and one child. One man is seated outside, holding a hat, another stands with a shovel, a woman and a child are at the doorway. The setting is rural and rugged.
deleted

Seems like a rainstorm could prove to be a frowned-upon curveball.

18. Street scene in Douglas East, Cork, Ireland, with tram and passengers Ireland, circa 1910

A vintage black and white photo depicts a bustling street scene. A tram is stopped, with passengers on top. Children and adults walk along the cobblestone road bordered by buildings. A large tree stands in the background.

Trams are due for a comeback.

19. Duffy Circus, Ireland, 1967

A black and white photo of a family in front of a caravan. A man and woman stand in the doorway. Three children, two boys and a toddler, are in front. Items like a stroller and toy are nearby. Houses are visible in the background.

The moments in between acts are always tough.

20. Children in Dublin, Ireland, 1967

Four children are playfully lying on stone steps outside. In the foreground, a doll in a knitted outfit lies next to a vintage pram. The children appear relaxed and engaged, suggesting a playful moment.
anonymous

Be careful now.

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