1870 - The Dillons of Clonbrock were so keen on photography that they had a studio and darkroom constructed on the grounds, known as the “Photo House”.

Luke Gerald Dillon, 4th Baron Clonbrock (1834 – 1917), and his family in front of the ‘Photo House’ in Clonbrock, County Galway, Ireland.

Dillon was an Irish peer. In 1865, he was appointed High Sheriff of County Galway. He married Augusta Caroline Crofton, daughter of Edward Crofton, 2nd Baron Crofton of Mote and Lady Georgina Paget, in 1866 in Roscommon. The couple, particularly Augusta, were enthusiastic amateur photographers. They recorded activities on and near their estate throughout the second half of the 19th century. The Dillons were so keen on the medium that they had a studio and darkroom constructed on the grounds, which was referred to as the “Photo House”.

The Clonbrock Collection contains over 2,000 glass plates and is housed in the National Library of Ireland in Dublin.

Image: NLI CLON46