Postcard collection tells the story of Birr

This year’s Offaly Culture Night, which takes place tonight, includes a unique event, drawing on a collection of 70 postcards of Birr, including the one above of Emmet Square. The collection highlights the changing nature of the town since 1900 as captured through the lens of early photographers.

The until now largely private collection is the passion of Birr jeweller Paul Barber.

“I have always had this collection squirrelled away in boxes and never had the opportunity to show them to the townspeople of Birr until now,” he said.

"Modern projecting technology and a chance conversation with Birr resident Ger Murphy has allowed Paul to bring the story to the big screen or in this case the shop window of 14 Main Street. Social distancing won’t be an issue as the images will be viewable from outside using reverse projection and, as Paul noted can be “better appreciated than in their original postcard size.”

The projection display will run every 20 minutes from 7.30pm to 10.30 pm on Friday.