Exhibits: Come Back to Erin

Come Back to Erin

Irish Travel Posters of the 20th Century

An exciting new exhibition featuring a selection of 20th century travel and tourism posters will be presented by the Ward Irish Music Archives, Milwaukee Irish Fest. This exhibit will be presented at Milwaukee Irish Fest and at various other festivals throughout the U.S. in the summer of 2009.

These strikingly colourful posters feature the work of world famous artists like Paul Henry and Norman Wilkinson, the distinctive images will be a trip down memory lane for many people. In the early decades of the last century mass tourism began to develop and with it came a surge in promotional activity. A very popular and highly visible element was the travel poster. Some posters, such as the ones by Paul Henry, became best sellers almost immediately and are still essential images of Ireland.

Initially the posters were commissioned by Irish and British railway companies. These include CIE and its predecessor Great Southern Railways, and also British Railways and its predecessors. After World War II, airlines such as Aer Lingus, TWA and American Airlines also began to issue posters as an important part of their marketing campaigns.

The exhibition focuses on some of the prime examples of Irish poster art. Many feature famous Irish tourist locations such as Killarney, Connemara, Glendalough and the Giants Causeway. Other images are not place-specific but feature familiar scenes of upland well-proportioned landscapes, big skies, lakes and coasts. Of course there are also stereotypical Irish images of thatched houses, ruins, round towers, jaunting cars and inscribed high crosses. The aim was to create an attractive marketing image, presenting Ireland as happily old fashioned, but which could be visited by the most modern means of travel.

We hope you enjoy this journey back in time!

The above posters are just a few of the many reproductions available to purchase at Travel Posters Online.
Enter in the promotional code "irish-festival" at checkout to get £1 stirling off your order!
Portions of the proceeds will go to the Ward Irish Music Archives!

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