The photographs were taken by John Cooper Ashton Esq., a keen amateur photographer, who was a frequent visitor to the area on angling and hunting trips. He recorded his activities with high quality photographs, which which were subsequently catalogued and archived in the University of Glasgow.
Mayo County Council recently acquired the images and compiled this exhibition, which was one of the many events held in the county to celebrate Heritage Week. Among those present at the opening were members of the Healy Family, whose ancestors owned Healy’s Anglers’ Hotel, where Cooper Ashton stayed on his many visits to Mayo, and some of whom are featured in the photographs.
Also launched by the Minister on the day was the Mayo Shopfronts booklet. This booklet, which features many of the traditional shopfronts remaining in the county, explores their historical origins and styles.
It documents those shopfronts that are considered to be socially or culturally important and that are deemed to be part of the special character of Mayo’s towns and villages. Mayo Shopfronts aims to provide guidance on traditional and modern shopfront design and promote appreciation of this important part of our built heritage.
Deirdre Cunningham, Mayo Heritage Officer, speaking at the launch said: “These are two very important projects, which aim to raise awareness of aspects of Mayo’s unique heritage and we are delighted to have the Minister here to launch them”.
The photography exhibition will run in the Foxford Woollen Mills until the end of September 2011.
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