By Graham Healy
A new source for some great Irish cycling photos from the past has emerged in the past year, whereby the arduous task of digitising the extensive archive of The Lensmen Collection and making it available online has started.
The Lensmen Photographic Agency was established in 1952, and their photographers sought to capture images that portrayed Irish political, cultural and social life. In the past six decades, a collection was built up that numbers approximately 3½ million photos, and a number of these relate to bicycle racing.
Below is just a small sample of the photos from the archive. If you want to see more check out http://www.irishphotoarchive.ie/
The Cork team which started in the eight-day Rás Tailteann. From left are Kevin O'Brian; Michael Stack; Tom Pratt; John Ahern, Team Manager; John Brislane; Pat Reidy, Team Coach, and his son Billy.
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The Irish team selected for the 1952 World Championships in Luxembourg. (Left to Right) J. Ryan and Jim McQuaid (Emerald, Dublin) Gordon Reed (Cyprus, Belfast) J. A. Ewart (Maryland, Wheelers) J. J. McCormack (Eagle, Dublin) Donal O'Connell (Dublin Wheelers) and W. Dowds (Windsor, Belfast).
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Greg LeMond and Seán Kelly meeting Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald at Trinity College prior to the start of the 1986 Nissan Classic.
Joe Joe McCormack of the Eagle Cycling Club in 1953. JJ was one of the top cyclists of the time, and was father to professionals Alan and Paul. Joe also established the Junior Tour of Ireland.
The 1984 Calor/Kosangas Pro-Am tour of Ireland cycle race sets off from the G.P.O.in Dublin.
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