maidstone

Congratulation for your beautiful Album.

One possibility is that this is June 18th 1917, when Dev "arrived back in Dublin on board the SS Munster" when the 1916 prisoners were released.

If my theory is correct then we've visited the same occasion before, just a bit later, when the ex-prisoners were on their way to Westland Row:

Thanks Sharon Corbet - That seems eminently plausible. Though I might hold off on ringing any bells until at least one other contributor chimes in. (Where is everyone today BTW? Is there a party we weren't invited to?) Also while the catalogue notes suggest that this was a "male only crowd" (many of whom seem very aware of the photographer), there seems to be at least one person bucking the gender trend (bottom right). With evidence of other "female" hattage close by....

If June 1917 is the right occasion, there are several Trove articles with contemporary reports. It seems no-one knew what boat the released prisoners would be on, hence a relatively low-key welcome at Kingstown - the main welcome and demonstration happened at Westland Row. trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/152182969?searchTerm=d... trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106088528?searchTerm=d... trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/212684784?searchTerm=d... - which includes ... ... As the men paced the deck [on the Holyhead Dublin mail boat] they looked cheerful, but it was quite evident that they had gone through a trying time. The faces of many presented, a sickly appearance, but others of more robust constitution looked quite well under the circumstances. All were clad in new suits of. a poor quality, and wore creaking boots. Beneath their collars and ties the striped prison shirt was noticeable. White straw hats in most instances— caps in others — completed their outfit. Unrecognisable. Their intimate relations would hardly recognise some of the men at first sight. Eoin MacNeill, for instance, stripped of his beard and with a closely cropped head, was quite unrecognisable. Thomas Ashe, minus his curly locks and moustache, did not look himself, though he appeared to be as strong as ever. De Valera, towering above most of his comrades, was a remarkably striking figure. ... ... ... ... Welcome at Kingstown. A small force of police were on duty on Carlisle Pier, and on the arrival of the boat, at about 7.50 a.m., a crowd of about 100 congregated, including Ald. Corrigan, Mrs. and the Misses Cor- rigan, Ald. T. Kelly, Messrs F. J. Allen, T. J. Cullen, M. C. Collins, etc. As the vessel approached the pier handkerchiefs and hats were waved from those on shore, and a cheer was raised as the salute was returned from the boat. When the steamer drew alongside enthusiastic greetings were exchanged between the released men and their friends, and the former, gathered together on the third-class deck, sang "A Soldier's Song" and "God Save Ireland." There was. much hand-shaking and cheering as the men disembarked, and when the last man had come ashore they formed up, under the command of De Valera, who marched them two deep, to the Dublin portion of the train. General Sir Bryan Mahon was one of those who witnessed the arrival of the amnestied prisoners. ... ...

Claire thanks for pointing me to this as I love M&D. If I remember rightly Mill Street was famed as the first purpose-built bus station in the UK. The piano fronted TD Leylands were long gone when I was at Maidstone, but even though they were not in service I remember seeing them on Jersey with JMT.

The building still exists: relocated to the Kent & East Sussex Railway at Tenterden as the 'Station Refreshment Rooms'.

I'm not convinced this is Mill Street, Maidstone. Looks more like Gillingham Bus Station to me.

This part of the bus station was actually situated at the junction of Palace Avenue and Lower Stone Street. It was still there when I was a boy. The waiting room in Mill Treet was a separate building.

this is Gillingham bus station,100%