New Temporary Exhibition at Galway City Museum offers a reflection on the Battle of Aughrim

This temporary photographic exhibition at Galway City Museum presents the work of renowned photographer Nic Dunlop, created over a span of six years, from 2016 to 2022. The collection of photographs is thoughtfully paired with excerpts from Richard Murphy’s evocative poem, The Battle of Aughrim, offering a deeper narrative and artistic reflection on this significant historical event.

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The battle of Aughrim was fought on 12th July, 1691 in eastern Galway, between the Irish army of James II and the combined forces of William III. It was the last great battle in these islands. So intense was the fighting, the thunder of battle could be heard 30 miles away, here in Galway city. Aughrim was the decisive and bloodiest battle of Ireland’s Jacobite war (1689-91). The defeat of the Jacobites here was the last time an Irish army took to the field heralding one of the darkest periods in Irish history.

It was at Aughrim that photographer Nic Dunlop began taking photographs as a boy; an early beginning for a later career often working in areas of conflict.

“Photojournalism relies on drama and people. At Aughrim, I was faced with the challenge of the ordinary, empty fields, a patch of bog and a landscape devoid of people. For weeks I wandered across those fields, one foot in the present, the other in 1691. With Richard Murphy’s poem The Battle of Aughrim as my guide, I photographed it in winter to better reflect the aftermath, and every image is informed by what happened that fateful day.” – Nic Dunlop.

Visitors are invited to explore The Battle of Aughrim exhibition, which occupies both the internal and external Temporary Exhibition spaces at Galway City Museum. The exhibition will be on display until mid-July 2025. Read more about it HERE. Galway City Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm (galleries closing at 4:45pm).  Opening hours will extend to Sundays, 12pm – 5pm from Easter. Admission is FREE. Funded by Galway City Council.

All photography by Nic Dunlop, courtesy of Galway City Museum.