Café Royal Books – Biddy Boys Ireland 1972

Description

Biddy Boys Ireland 1972 is a photozine documenting the folk customs of Ireland, particularly the custom of individuals dressing up as ‘biddy boys’, often carrying dolls known as ‘brideogs’ and parading through the streets. These traditions, which are mostly out of practice in Ireland today, ordinarily took place on St. Brigid’s Day and St. Stephen’s Day. These images were taken in Kilorglin, County Kerry.

Café Royal Books is a family run, independent publisher located on the North West coast of England. We believe in keeping our publications affordable and widely accessible. They’re functional and clear, free from decoration and over-design. The books focus on photography linked to Britain and Ireland. This includes the work of photographers from all backgrounds, the widely known, the unseen and the underrepresented. Much of the work we publish, regardless of the maker, is previously unpublished but we also work with previously published work. Each book focuses on a single body of work, and each book is part of the larger, extensive series. As a series they provide a valuable resource into cultural and social change in Britain, Ireland and beyond. So far there are over 700 books in the series, subjects are wide and varied and include folk customs, protest, street photography, mining and industry, community and place or city, architectural change, music and youth culture, politics, and religion.

The publications are bought as gifts, as nostalgic reminders. They’re used as reference for film makers, producers, screen writers and costumes designers. Universities collect the books to allow students access to the large collected history of this genre of photography, which hasn’t existed to this extent, in print, before Café Royal Books. Our books are collected by galleries, libraries and museums, preserving and helping to increase the visibility of the work while making the books publicly accessible.