Ritchie-Pickow Collection

Ritchie-Pickow Collection

It is with sadness that the Library noted the passing of George Pickow on the 10^th December 2010.

In 1952/3 George visited Ireland with his wife, noted folk-singer and collector Jean Ritchie, and took over 2000 photographs. These included many of the singers and musicians that Jean recorded as part of a project to trace the roots of many of the songs and tunes she would have grown up with in the Southern Appalachians. While in Ireland George photographed other aspects of Irish life, where many traditions remained, but which was also on the cusp of great change.

Digital access to the photographs George took at this time is available, with the originals available for consultation in our Special Collections Reading Room. It is hoped that this resource will form part of George’s legacy, supporting research in many different aspects of 1950s Ireland.

Professor Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, NUI Galway History Department has written an appreciation of George Pickow, published in the Irish Times, 14 February, 2011