Tipperary South Riding County Museum is currently hosting a fascinating exhibition of old postcard scenes from around the county, providing an invaluable insight into life throughout the county at the turn of the century. It also tells the story of the postcard from its simple beginnings as a plain pre-stamped card, through the ‘golden age’ of postcards at the beginning of the twentieth century, to its rapid decline after World War I. Themes include World War I itself, novelty and commemorative postcards, together with detailed information on important postcard publishers such as Lawrence, Valentine and John Hinde. Also represented is the work of Robert A. (Sonny) Cash, one of the most prolific postcard producers in South Tipperary. Cash, partially crippled in his youth, grew up hump-backed. He took to photography as a teenager and from his father’s shop on Main Street, Carrick-on-Suir, travelled the surrounding countryside in a side-car building up a large collection of photographs, some of which he reproduced as postcards. He died in a fire at his home above the studio in Carrick and all his glass negatives were destroyed. The postcards are all that remain of this important historical record. The earliest Cash postcard on display is postmarked 1904, taken when Sonny was only fifteen. The exhibition will continue until 12 September.
Enquiries: Fiona Flynn or Anna Meehan, Tipperary SR County Museum, Parnell Street, Clonmel, (052) 25399 ext. 3371.
