Mabel Colhoun: Pioneering Archaeologist and Photographer of Northern Ireland
Early Life and Education
Mabel Remington Colhoun was born in Derry, Northern Ireland in 1905. She became the first principal of the preparatory department at Londonderry High School in 1935, where she taught until her retirement in 1969.
Archaeological Research
Outside of her teaching career, Colhoun was a dedicated volunteer researcher. She spent decades studying her family’s ancestral home of Inishowen, County Donegal, and published her findings in the book “The Heritage of Inishowen: Its Archaeology, Heritage and Folklore.”
Travels and Photography
Colhoun’s love of archaeology blossomed during her travels to the Middle East and Egypt. She also hiked the Alps on foot, crossing over from Germany into northern Italy. Throughout her journeys, she captured countless photographs, documenting the daily life and landmarks of the regions she visited.
The Mabel Colhoun Photographic Collection
After Colhoun’s death in 1992, her photographs and papers were inherited by the Tower Museum in Derry. The collection includes over 10,000 slides taken by Colhoun between the 1920s and 1980s.
Digitization and Online Exhibition
In recent years, archaeologist and museum volunteer Denise Henry has digitized more than 10,000 of Colhoun’s slides. A selection of these images is now available online as part of the Tower Museum’s “Mabel Colhoun Photographic Collection.”
Content of the Collection
The collection offers a glimpse into daily life in Northern Ireland during the 20th century. It includes snapshots of rural communities, events such as the landing of the Italian Air Armada in 1933, and images of the Colhoun family’s travels.
Archaeological Sites and Disappeared Landmarks
Colhoun’s photographs also document archaeological sites where she and her colleagues investigated local history. Additionally, the collection features images of buildings and monuments that have since disappeared, providing a valuable record of Northern Ireland’s changing landscape.
Sketches and Paintings
In addition to her photographs, the collection includes Colhoun’s sketches and paintings. These works capture the natural life and local landscapes of the regions she visited.
Legacy and Impact
Mabel Colhoun was a remarkable woman who made significant contributions to archaeology, education, and the preservation of Northern Ireland’s heritage. Her photographs and research continue to inspire and inform generations of scholars and enthusiasts.
Promoting Mabel’s Legacy
Denise Henry, who played a key role in digitizing Colhoun’s collection, is passionate about promoting her legacy. “As a fellow archaeologist and native of Donegal, I am delighted to play my part in developing photographic time capsules that will encourage conversations about the past and create an appreciation of it in the present,” she says.
