AN AMERICAN studying in Ireland has the opportunity for many adventures and cultural experiences – although I never thought mine would enable me to search for a nameless face in an intriguing old photograph. But somehow it did and I’m certainly glad it did.
As a student at Trinity College pursuing my Masters in Public History and Cultural Heritage, I decided to take on my internship at the Dublin City Library and Archive.
I knew I wanted to work with people and photographs and I felt this was the place to do it.
As I searched through the countless photographs at DCLA, I sought to discover a face with a story, even though that story was at the time unknown to me.
Towards the end of my search of the photographic collection, I saw an attractive young face with a candid expression looking up at me. I was immediately drawn to the photo and knew it had the potential to serve me well with my endeavour.
Without a name or much information to work with, I, with the help of DCLA staff, researched the photo and mainly through social media, found the man I had been searching for – Mark Leddy, a Dubliner born and raised. As soon as I contacted Mark (who was very open towards my project), I learned that he was a man with a particular sarcastic Irish style who challenged me to develop questions to suit his unique persona.
I had the privilege of interviewing Mark in order to gain insight during the time in which the photo was taken to today and how he and the city have changed.
The photograph was taken when Mark was 13 or 14-years-old, in the late 1980s by the 8th Lock next to Ballyfermot. Highly interested in the arts at a young age, he presumes he was writing a poem when the photo was taken.
“At the time I wanted to be seen as an artist,
? he explains. He also recalls he was listening to The Doors with the headphones around his neck as he
“wanted to be Jim Morrison
?.
As we chatted, it became clear that the arts played a major role in Mark’s upbringing and thus, in how he looks upon Ireland – both in the past and nowadays.
During the interview, he even went on to recite verses from WB Yeats’ September 1913. Mark believes that
“the old romantic Ireland we thought existed is gone
? and that
“Ireland has become a souvenir to the rest of the world
?.
He recognises that the city has changed a great deal; like every place it has its challenges but reveals that
“it’s a beautiful place with some beautiful people
?.
To get away from the bustling city, Mark enjoys spending time along the canal.
He takes the same paths as where the photo was taken over 30 years ago.
He walks his dog in the area every day for three to four hours. He also keeps himself busy by doing a variety of activities such as reading, listening to music, and watching movies.
Dublin will continue to stand witness to Mark Leddy’s life, just as Mark Leddy will continue his observations and impressions of the city.
The two will interact and influence each other just as they always have and ultimately, Mark Leddy’s path will continue to be the evolving face of a Dubliner.