Join us at Rathfarnham Castle for an immersive one-hour talk led by a senior photographer from the National Monuments Service (NMS). Set against the backdrop of the NMS and OPW photographic exhibition ‘Monuments in Focus, currently on show at the gallery in Rathfarnham. This session offers a rare look into the vital role photography plays in recording, preserving, and monitoring Ireland’s vast archaeological heritage.

The talk explores the work of the NMS Photographic Archive, an extraordinary repository safeguarding over 100 years of visual history. Learn how field photographers document ancient sites—from megalithic tombs and high crosses to medieval castles, how we archive historical glass-plate archives and use cutting-edge digital technologies.

Discover the specialized techniques involved in surveying and condition monitoring, including high-resolution imaging and aerial photogrammetry, which help track environmental impacts and structural changes over time. The speaker will share compelling behind-the-scenes stories, technical insights, and the visual challenges of working on location across Ireland's landscapes.
Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a heritage professional, or a history lover, this talk reveals how light and technology intersect to keep Ireland’s past visible for future generations.