ALMOST 90 years ago, a National Geographic photographer touched down in Ireland.

Clifton R. Adams had one task when he arrived in Cork in March 1927 - to capture colour photographs of how the Irish people lived.

Colour photography was still a very new concept and a rare treat - and as these pictures show, the Cork locals were more than happy to pose for the camera.

The Ireland of 1927 was just emerged from the Civil War, with the wheels in motion for modern day independence.

The population was at an all-time low from the Famine some 80 years previously and the people were poor.


But as these beautiful images show, they were happy.

See the gallery in full below