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stone facade eith two large pillars built into red brick georgian terrace. Black and wite image

10 Faces of Limerick’s Past

Posted on June 10, 2013May 6, 2025 by Sharon Slater

The photographs of Limerick faces below were taken by Glasgow born John Riddell who worked as a Brewer and Distiller in the Thomondgate Distilleries. His wife Elizabeth, who he married in 1876, was also Scottish. The eldest of his four children Elizabeth “Bessie” Riddell was born in Scotland while their remaining children, John, Janet “Jeanie/Jenny” and Alexandria “Lexy”, were born in Limerick. The family were of the Scottish Presbyterian faith. From at least 1879 they were living at Islandview House in Thomondgate.

Bessie and Janet married brothers, Edmund James and Christopher Ludlow, both were shipping agents, Edmund and Bessie were based at 24 Glentworth Street, Limerick. While Christopher and Janet was based in Market Jew Street Penzance.

In his later life John Riddell moved to Cornwall where he passed away at the age of 81 in November 1927.

In the early 1900s he  took many of photographs Limerick which were developed onto glass slides, these images have been kindly shared with us by his Great Great Grandson David Ludlow.


Here are 10 photographs of people from Limerick’s past in the collection:

1. A donkey ride with milk to Parteen

Country Road
Country Road

2. Taking a Stroll to Parteen

A Stroll to Parteen
A Stroll to Parteen

3. Rev J. T. Waller, Trinity Church Limerick, Catherine Street.

Trinity Church
Trinity Church

4. Church Lads Brigade ready to march.

Church Lads Brigade
Church Lads Brigade

5. Church Lads Brigade on the move

Church Lads Brigade
Church Lads Brigade

6. Women’s Musical Bike Ride

Bike Ride
Bike Ride

7. Protestant YMA (Young Mens Association) Limerick Chess game.

Chess Game
Chess Game

8.Protestant YMA Library

PYMA Library
PYMA Library

9. Protestant YMA Limerick Football Team

PYMA Football Team
PYMA Football Team

10. Protestant YMA Limerick Football Team

PYMA Football Team
PYMA Football Team

You can see 15 other never seen before images from this collect here

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About Limerick’s Life

This website is a personal project of Sharon Slater, born from a passion for Limerick and its history. It has been maintained, updated and contributed to it independently and voluntarily. If you'd like to buy me a coffee to keep Limerick's history online, please know that all donations will go directly into the costs of hosting the website and the time and travel to research and write the articles found on the site.

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