Brothers George, James and Thomas Horgan began their careers in the late 19th century in Youghal, Co. Cork as shoemakers and photographers. From 1900, following the success of their photographic studio, James Horgan began to use a motion picture camera to capture current events and their local community. In 1917 the brothers opened the purpose-built 600-seat cinema The Horgan Picture Theatre in Youghal, where they screened their newsreel style films. These are collectively referred to as the Youghal Gazette, and were screened along with contemporary international feature films.
It is likely that James Horgan was one of the earliest animators in Irish film history, as he experimented with film production techniques including stop-motion animation and the use of models, as well as retouching still photographs.
The collection contains documents relating to the administrative history of the cinema. These include screenings diaries, gross and net takings records, accounts ledgers, logs of ticket sales, and carbon copied correspondence.
Appraisal Destruction ↴
Permanent Retention
Arrangement ↴
The collection contains documents relating to the administrative history of the cinema. These include screenings diaries, gross and net takings records, accounts ledgers, logs of ticket sales, and carbon copied correspondence.
Conditions of Access & Use
Access Conditions
Accessible at the Irish Film Archive with an appointment.
Conditions Governing Reproduction
The collection is extremely fragile and reproduction of certain records may be restricted.
Creation Dates
1917-1956
Extent Medium
2 boxes of paper material
Material Language Script
English
Characteristics Tech Req
Some documents are extremely fragile and the binding of the ledgers are damaged.
The Archive also holds copies of the Youghal Gazette film reels and the animation Youghal Clock Tower, as well as the original Kamm projector from the Youghal Picture Theatre. There is also a collection of photographs taken by the Horgans in the possession of Cork County Council.
Descriptive Control Area
Archivist Note
Rebecca Grant
Rules/Conventions
ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description. 2nd ed. Ottawa: International Council on Archives, 2000.
