Irish Oral History Archive

The Archive recently interviewed David Creedon on his visit to London to launch his photographic exhibition 'Ghosts of the Faithful Departed'.  Between 2005 and 2007, David photographed many of the abandoned, derelict houses to be found throughout Ireland. Their owners had fled, mainly due to dire poverty during the 1950s, leaving an unmarried family member behind to maintain the property’s upkeep or run the farm. When in turn they passed away, ownership was often passed to far-flung relatives. Now, in a new millennium, these houses lie deserted, awaiting the return of owners whose dreams of coming home may never be realised.

Photographed in available light with a slow shutter speed and at different times of the day, these interiors and the treasures inside, that once formed part of the fixtures and fittings of their owners’ lives, are brought out of the shadows to reveal a part of Irish history that has been left to the ravages of time.

The exhibition runs from 23rd January to the 6th March 2009 in Photofusion Gallery, 17A Electric Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LA.  A catalogue of the exhibit is available.  More details can be found at www.photofusion.org

Images copyright David Creedon.  www.davidcreedon.com