Beresford Place – 📷Mrs C Mouler 9:40am

On May 7, 1988, Irish people took pictures they believed captured the spirit of Ireland in their daily lives. These photos were sent to judges, who chose the best ones for a book called “One Day for Life in Ireland – Photographs by the People of Ireland, Taken on a Single Day.”

I’ve digitised and used photos from the book before, but as today is the anniversary, here’s a selection of Dublin shots from it.

The book’s royalties went to the Irish Cancer Society. Today, you can easily donate online to the Irish Cancer Society https://www.cancer.ie/

Photo credits listed below.
All ‘then’ photos digitised by @brandnewretro.ie
All ‘now’ photos taken by @brandnewretro.ie on 6 May 2026.

Henry St/Mary St – 📷 Michael Johnson, 11:15am

Why Go Bald – 📷 Sarah Ingle, 2:00pm

Moore Street – 📷 Mrs C. Moulder 9:50am

Busaras, 📷 Michael Johnson 10:00am

Regent Barber, Temple Bar – 📷 Stuart Coulson

Dog on College Green, – 📷 John O’Reilly/Phyllis O’Shea 10.30am

Beresford Place – 📷Mrs C Mouler 9:40am

College Green, 📷Charles Kelly