Glenshesk, as one of the most beautiful and isolated parts of the Glens and of Ireland, has been photographed many times over the last century. In fact, many of these photographs, thinking of Robert Welch’s in particular, are familiar to most of us, as they are featured in many national texts, magazines, and books. The Glen has also featured on postcards, particularly in the 20th Century, with many focused in and around the majestic Glenshesk Bridge and Henry’s Step.
We include some of these historic photographs as well as others from around Glenshesk, Ballycastle, and North Antrim, many of which are from our own photographic archives and others sourced from various collections and publications. Where known, the source of the photograph is given.
Henry’s Step, Glenshesk River, Glenshesk, Ballycastle
Wooden Cart. c1880. A farmer with a low back cart in Glenshesk, Ballycastle. Photo from Robert Welch, Getty Images
Glenshesk (not sure of location) showing a variety of carts including Scotch Wheel Cart (back), Block-wheel cart (middle) and a Slide-car (front)
Broughmore, Glenshesk, WAG.RW.NMNI
Broughmore, Glenshesk, WAG.RW.NMN
Broughmore, Glenshesk, NMNI, 1930’s
Old Cross, Glenshesk, Ballycastle
Cross With Shears, Glenshesk – a view of a stone cross in a field with inscribed shears on its face.
Ballycastle, North Street- Copy
Ballycastle, North Street- Copy
Old Postcard of Ballycastle, Co Antrim
Ballycastle from Castle Street- Copy
McAllister Sisters tending Lazy Beds, Glenshesk, Ballycastle. Robert Welch- Copy
Colourised picture, Glenshesk, McAllister Sisters tending Lazy Beds, Glenshesk, Ballycastle. Robert Welch
Old postcard of Bunmargy- Copy
Old postcard of the Glenshesk Bridge, Glenshesk, Ballycastle- Copy
Cross & Passion College, Ballycastle, 1900’s- Copy
Cross & Passion College, Ballycastle, 1900’s- Copy
Photo taken from Glenshesk Bar for sveral Glenshesk Men
The Diamond, Ballycastle,1958. Photo – Douglas Campbell
Ballycastle
Ballycastle railway station, 1937
Lammas Fair, Ballycastle
Slide Car, Glens of Antrim, WAG
CPC, Ballycastle, presentation to the hunt, 1966
The hunt, Ballycastle, 1966
McGarrys at Ardagh Car builder Glenshesk.Note solid wheels on cart.-WAG-1943
Old postcard of view looking down Glenshesk, early 1900’s
Old postcard, Ballycastle
Old Postcard of Henry’s Step, Glenshesk River, Ballycastle
Old postcard of Henry’s Step, on Glenshesk River, Glenshesk, Ballycastle. c1900’s
Old colourised Postcard of Glenshesk Bridge, Glenshesk, Ballycastle. c1900’s
Old colourised Postcard of The Diamond, Ballycastle. c1900’s
Old colourised photograph of the Glenshesk River, Glenshesk, Ballycastle. c1900’s
Slide Car for Corn, Glenshesk. Photo – Robert Welch
Ballycastle Fishermen’s Jetty, 1935. Photo – Robert Welch
John Millar, Great Great Uncle of Hugh & Declan McCaughan (Brackney, Glenshesk)
Jim McClements, aged 18 working on his uncle John Mc Caughan’s farm. Photo- Colleen McClements
Ministry of Agriculture trail, The Old Field, Duncarbit Farm, Glenshesk, 1950’s
Footing turf, Eilis and her father, Kevin McCaughan, Glenshesk, Ballycastle, 1970s
Eddie, Hector and Sean buckraking in the silage, Clare, Glenshesk, Ballycastle, 1970’s. Photo – Anne McCaughan
Brian McCaughan, Duncarbit drying hay in Glenshesk, Ballycastle, 1970’s. Photo – Anne McCaughan
Sean McCaughan, Clare, Glenshesk on his teractor with a load of silage on the buckrake, 1970’s. Photo – Anne McCaughan
Snow tractor, Glenshesk, 1980’s. Photo – Niall McCaughan
Church of Immaculate Conception, Glenshesk, during restoration, 2003
Best Calf at market, Tommy McKenna with winner, Kevin McCaughan from Duncarbit Farm, 1970’s.
Foot bridge below the Glen Chapel, Church of the Immaculate Conception, 1970’s. Photo – Niall Mccaughan
Glenshesk National School before restoration, 1980’s
Silage grab with load of silage feeding cattle, with silo in background, Clare, Glenshesk, 1980’s. Photo – Niall McCaughan
Glenshesk Football Team, 1911-1912. photo – Fr John McCaughan Collection
Breen School, Glenshesk
Breen School, Glenshesk
Glenshesk School
Glenshesk School, 1920s..
Glenshesk School, 1920’s
Glenshesk School, 1969
Glenshesk School, 1902 1905
Glenshesk School, late 1920’s pr early 1930’s, with Master Kelly and his wife in photo
Former pupils of Glenshesk School, at the closing of the school,1969, closing of school
Senior Class, Glenshesk National School, 1969
Glenshesk School, Junior Class, 1969
Archie Kelly (who emigrated to Canada) & Leo Brown preparing for De Valera’s visit to Murlough, 1953. Photo supplied by Anne Kelly & Leona Brown
Glenshesk c1900 by Robert French, from Lawrence Collection, National Library of Ireland
Glenshesk National School, 1918
Marine Hotel, Ballycastle
Frank & Violet Brown of Broughmore with their children Eileen( later O’Neill) + Patrick @1917. Courtesy of Anne Marie McGreevy
Wooden Cart. c1880. A farmer with a low back cart in Glenshesk, Ballycastle. Photo from Robert Welch, Getty Images
Magherahoney school @1921, Courtesy of Anne Marie McGreevy
Last Day of Glenshesk School, 1969. Photo Eugene McLaughlin, 1
Last Day of Glenshesk School, 1969. Photo Eugene McLaughlin, 2
Last Day of Glenshesk School, 1969. Photo Eugene McLaughlin, 3
Last Day of Glenshesk School, 1969. Photo Eugene McLaughlin, 4
Last Day of Glenshesk School, 1969. Photo Eugene McLaughlin, 5
Last Day of Glenshesk School, 1969. Photo Eugene McLaughlin, 6
Last Day of Glenshesk School, 1969. Photo Eugene McLaughlin, 7
Piper’s Tunes, From Donegal and Antrim, The Lammas Fair photo1, 1927
Piper’s Tunes, From Donegal and Antrim, The Lammas Fair photo2, 1927
Mill Street, Ballycastle with homes of craftsmen & workers
Quay Road, Ballycastle, with custom’s house on right where Marine Hotel currently sites, 1900’s
View of Ballycastle, looking down Fair Hill showing old school and chapel in foreground and new chapel in distance without spire
Broughmore, Glenshesk, W.L.
Ballyverdagh School Feb 1974, Photo – Seamus Black
Old Postcard of Ballycastle, Niall McCaughan
Train leaving Ballycastle, Mecanno, From Robert Starrs
Train leaving Ballycastle, Mecanno, From Robert Starrs
Glenshesk River, colouised from an old Postcard
Ballycastle & Strand, Old Postcard, 1960’s-1970’s, John Hinde Studies
Ballycastle & beach postcard, Bamforth & Co
Glenshesk Bridge B&W Postcard
Marine Hotel, Ballycastle from old Postcard, early c1960’s
Marine Hotel, Ballycastle from old Postcard, early c1970s, 1
No 44 at Ballycastle Station, 20.5.50, Photo HC Casserley
Old postcard of The Diamond, Ballycastle, c1990’s
Old postcard of Ballycastle from the Margy Bridge, c1900’s
Ballycastle from the air, 1940s 50s
The Strand, Ballycastle, postcard, 1950’s
Ballycastle postcard, early 1900’s
The Diamond, Ballycastle
The Diamond, Ballycastle, early 1900’s, (NLI)
Kenbane Head & Castle, Old Postcard
Glendun, Old Postcard, c1950’s
Glenshesk, possibly Broughmore, early 1900’s, (NLI)
Marine Hotel, Ballycastle postcard
Bonamargy, Ballycastle early postcard
The Vanishing Lake, Loughaveema, May 1897, by Robert John Welch
Hiring Fair, Ballycastle, from al old Postcard
Lammas Fair, Aug 1929 by Robert John Welch
Marine Hotel, Ballycastle, 1960’s
Colourised postcard of Ballycastle Harbour
Lammas Fair, Ballycastle Postcard
Pier & Fair Head, Ballycastle, Old Postcard postmarked 1927
The Diamond, Ballycastle, Postcard 1960s.1970s
Doonfin Glenshesk, Photo – National Museums NI Collection
Horse & Block Wheel low back car, Glenshesk. Photo – Robert Welch.NationalMuseumsNI
Quay Road, Ballycastle, Postcard
Marine Hotel Postcard, Ballycastle
Marine Hotel, Ballycastle, old Postcard
Postcard, The Quay from the Strand, Ballycastle
Postcard, Lammas Fair, Ballycastle, 1970’s
The very last train leaves Ballycastle, 2nd July 1950, with Guard Jimmy Irons adding decorations to No41. Photo CP Friel Collection