Larry's Old Time Village, Belmont, Co. Offaly - Ian Russell
Encountering the first pictures of the model German village at Mynydd Epynt and learning of the evictions which preceded its construction reminded me of a recent encounter I had this past March passing by a small house's garden in Blemont, Co. Offaly - just outside of Tullamore.
There is an attraction known as Larry's Old Time Village which presents 12 model thatched cottages depicting life in Ireland from the 1900s to 1950s.
The village began as a personal hobby, but it has subsequently become an attraction along the tourist trail in Co. Offaly with coach tours regularly pausing beside the village for a few photo opportunities.
The village incorporates a number of figurines as well, engaged in everyday life. Most resonant with Mynydd Epynt, however, is the representation of 'eviction scenes' which have become iconic images in Irish historical discourse - such as in this archival photograph by Michael Connell of an eviction from Moyasta, Co. Clare from the National Library of Ireland's photographic archive. For example, the site contains, two model battering rams modeled on the rams such as in another archival photograph from the National Library of Ireland's photographic archive.
The site also incorporates figurines performing an eviction scene.
This model village is not unique in Ireland. There is also the much more publicized Model Railway Village from Clonakilty, Co. Cork which advertises its ability to allow visitors to 'step back in time to experience the way of life in West Cork in the 1940s'. The site has become not only a tourist attraction - but also a local landmark as can be seen in this photograph of a wedding party at the model church. You can follow their guided tour here.
Links: Mynydd Epynt: Gaming The Simulation, Politics of Presence Colloquium: real-time notes & Mynydd Epynt
