farming

Millbank House on the Rathealy Road - lots of scaffolding on both Millbank House and Ardenholme in 2019 - Streetview: www.google.ie/maps/@52.1413624,-8.2692427,3a,75y,6.98h,90... www.google.ie/maps/@52.1413624,-8.2692427,3a,75y,6.98h,90...

could that be a small white dog near the house, top right !

Se note on photo re the lawnmower. No court markings visible yet as it is April. But could this be a tennis club or lawn bowls?

The ESB took aerial photos of their new station developments in the 1950s. Since aerial photography was rare enough at the time, do you know whether Monkey Morgan was involved in the ESB work?

Seán Ó Domhnaill There are some, but only two locations as per this link - Inniscarra Dam, Cork and Clondalkin, Dublin.

I believe that is a tin of IXL jam on the table, made by Henry Jones & Co., established Hobart 1898. Perhaps the piece of bread that Albert is slicing will soon be spread with a dollop of that tasty jam.

In 1895 the Henry Jones company purchased a building in Melbourne and commenced manufacture of jams and spreads. The building became known as The Jam Factory. IXL formed as a limited liability company in 1903. The IXL brand – 'I excel in everything I do' was Henry Jones's personal motto.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jam_Factory
www.henryjonesfoods.com.au/about-us/

The manual meat mincer on the left behind the enamel mug, would be for making rissoles from tough meat.
www.bunnings.com.au/victoria-cast-iron-manual-meat-mincer...

Behind that appears to be a packet of porridge oats, next to an old and battered Arnotts biscuit tin.

This is such a terrific image of a man living alone, quietly preparing a meal at his plane table.
The jam tin lid needs to be pushed down to keep the flies out, or put in the meat safe. On top of the biscuit tin is the tea caddy. I'm also thinking the kerosene lamp may have a reflector plate or wall hanger at the back, similar lamps do show up online. www.ebay.com.au/itm/385980994205?chn=ps&_ul=AU&no...

I had a look at Albert's military records via Ancestry, he was medically discharged from the 35th Batt. AIF in 1917, due to an old fracture of the left fore arm resulting in a deformity at the elbow and reduced arm movement, aggravated by war service. You can see his arm holding the loaf appears misshapen.
Albert had served overseas and so qualified for the British war service medals: Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.
www.worldwar1luton.com/object/pip-squeak-and-wilfred-wwi-...

What a wonderful image!
Pretty sure that's a wall bracket on the kero lamp. What's in the plate - maybe a boiled potato? Wire toasting fork on the far side of the plate. Looking at the dates on Ancestry, it would appear Albert sustained the fracture as a child.

thanks for the great insights from these comments. Noticed also the toilet in the background.

At wikipedia. The photo there is 1895, and a lot less hair.

The catalogue says: Taken during a lecture tour of the United States.

Per that wikipedia article: Shortly before his arrest, Davitt had persuaded his family to emigrate to the United States. In July 1878, Davitt made a trip to visit them and raise money through a lecture tour to bring his mother and youngest sister back to Ireland (his father had since died). Upon his arrival in New York, he was welcomed by the United States-based republican organisation Clan na Gael and its leader, John Devoy. In its first such venture of the kind, the Clan organised Davitt's lecture tour, which lasted until December.

So July-December 1878, after he was in prison but before the Land War.

Flickr is sometimes amazing! Lots of images of Michael Davitt, gradually growing balder and beardier ...
"About 1880" via Paul O'Farrell
1884 book via Internet Archive Book Images
In 1895 via State Library Victoria Collections
In 1904 via TG4

One of only two men who spoke out publicly against the Limerick Pogrom, together with John Redmond. A true gentleman

I see the Wikipedia photo of 1895 is sourced from the State Library of Victoria (Australia), like a similarly dressed one above. Likely from a photo session when Michael Davitt visited Australia in that year. Via Trove a glowing contemporary description of the man ...
...Davitt came, not as a prince by the accident of birth, and with no other claim to a princely title, but as a prince among men by virtue of the possession of some of the rarest gifts of .Nature, a splendid intellect, a manly presence, and a self-sacrificing zeal for the welfare of his fellow-men. ...
... The secret of the love which people bear to Michael Davitt is further shown in the magnetic presence of the man. With a commanding figure, and a keenly intellectual face, there is an irresistible attraction which commands attention, and which inspires confidence and respect. Possessing a finely - strung nervous temperament, and with a face beaming with kindness, he still gives the impression that he possesses a reserve force of scathing sarcasm and fierce invective with which he could smite his enemies if occasion demanded. His language is unmistakable— clear, outspoken, and honest, every word bearing the mint mark of earnest conviction. ...

See - trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/124811042