rugby

According to this Twitter conversation, it's on Bere Island - twitter.com/cork1914to1924/status/529669140043554816 Streeview - goo.gl/maps/dErTjoxweqJ2 - see building on left, which was the island school according to Twitter. Edit - or perhaps a bit further back - goo.gl/maps/o7wGxLPZdqG2

The boundary stones look new? The pavilion had been glazed in by the time Fergus O Connor got there. catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000290806 Your "bracing Atlantic air" must have got to them.

From the Irish Examiner on Friday, 17 June 1904 (the day after the original Bloomsday!)

BERE ISLAND ATHLETIC SPORTS The Bere Island Athletic Sports were quite up to the usual standard, which is saying a good deal. These events are looked forward to by a large section of the people of Bearehaven, and are always most successful and liberally patronised. ... The sports were held in the Admiralty Recreation Grounds, which are beautifully situated and splendidly laid out for the special purpose of affording a proper ground for such events. The whole place is well adapted and equipped for recreation purposes. ... The R.F., twin-screw launch "Miner", under the capable command of Qr.-Sergt. Hawken, R.E., was at the service of those who wished to avail of the opportunity of being comfortably conveyed from Castletown to Laurence Cove.

I have an old/admiralty map of Bere Island somewhere. But as far as I know the recreation grounds were on the isthmus at Lawrence Cove. Around here. EDIT: Not sure how I overlooked it, but beachcomber australia had already linked the same spot. And included the National School in the angle (it does seem a likely candidate for the robust looking building on the far-left of the Lawrence Shot). Though the immediate ground-level topography doesn't seem to fully line-up - the OSI maps indicate a tidal influence close-by, so there could have been some "shifting" since. Whatever the location, I love the image itself. The ladies with the pram, and the spectators in naval uniform are all great. EDIT2: Looking at it again, I think beachcomber australia has it spot on. No lingering doubt on location in my view :)

A colour postcard version from 1904.

" Lancelot Beaumont "Lance" Todd (1874–1942) was a New Zealand-born rugby league footballer and manager of the early 20th century. As a player he represented his country in 1907 and 1908 and played in England for the Wigan and Dewsbury clubs. He later became the manager at Salford and led the club to three League Championships and one Challenge Cup victory. " en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Todd From the wiki article, I think he was at Wigan from 1908-14, when he transferred to Dewsbury. Also "In 1933, as well his work at Salford, he became the Rugby League commentator for BBC Radio."

More about Lance Todd and the Trophy named in his memory - blog.salfordredsheritage.org.uk/post/9996951465/lance-tod...

Wondering just how personal is the signature "Faithfully yours" ? 'Yours faithfully' is or was the standard business sign-off, but somehow this seems more intimate.

Are you sure it is rugby union ? I only count 13

13 ..... errr, I can't get past eleven ..... and there's NO ball, and NO burley front row forwards ......