A Decade of Discovery: Celebrating 10 Years of Volunteer Takeover

Over the past decade, this unique collaboration has turned a simple photo-sharing platform into a vibrant hub of research, storytelling and community.

A Journey Through Time

Our Flickr adventure began in 2010 when we started sharing images from our ephemera collections. By June 2011, the NLI became an official member of Flickr Commons, which opened a window into our rich photographic archives for audiences worldwide. But the anniversary we’re now celebrating came on January 7, 2015, when a group of dedicated volunteers took over the reins of the account. The volunteers, affectionately known as "The Three Marys," have been the creative and curatorial force behind the account’s astonishing success and growth.

The Three Marys: Champions of Our Collections

The self-styled Three Marys have dedicated themselves to uncovering, curating and sharing some of the most intriguing images in our collection. While the team’s lineup has evolved over the years, the commitment and ingenuity they bring remain unmatched. We’d also like to acknowledge a former Mary, who made a huge contribution to this initiative.

Each weekday, the Marys post a new image, which often spark lively discussions, uncover hidden details about the photo, and provide context that deepens our understanding of Ireland’s history. The account has become a dynamic archive, where humour meets meticulous research.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

As we approach the 10th anniversary, the impact of this collaboration is clear. By February 2025, our Flickr Commons account is projected to hit an astonishing 120 million views and around 77,500 comments. That number of comments — an essential measure of engagement and community interaction — is another impressive statistic, which highlights the dedication of our followers.

A Spotlight on "The Three Marys"

To mark the anniversary, we asked the Three Marys to select three images that capture the essence of their work. They chose photos that reflect the ingenuity, collaboration and serendipity that define our Flickr journey. These images showcase the breadth of our collection as well as the depth of engagement from our community, affectionately described in a 2013 blog post as “Relentless, argumentative (in a good way), competitive, funny — the perfect detectives.”

The Three Marys each chose their favourite photo from the collection:

The Rileys - Survivors of the sinking of the Lusitania

"I love this image because when I was posting it there was a sense in the body language of the four that spoke of relief and/or tragedy. As the comments mounted up, the incredible tale of the couple and their children revealed itself. The fact that the mother was separated from the children in the course of the rescue must have been heartbreaking."

Lady Waterford and baby

"This photo of Lady Waterford and her first born from 1898, is one of my favourites. I have picked this one because it shows "photoshopping" was a real thing in photography well over 100 years ago. On close inspection, it is obvious that Lady Waterford lost a few inches from her waistline!"

This is an Offal Photograph...

"We found out a lot about this butcher's business in Cork, while indulging in some truly offal meat-based puns. And that's why I love this photo. It perfectly sums up what we're all about – serious research, while having a good time."

The Heart of the Community

The Flickr community has evolved over the years, but the passion remains unchanged. Whether they are called intrepid researchers, photo detectives or simply our community, they continue to amaze us with their ability to uncover names, dates, locations and historical context from a single photograph. Their collaborative spirit and expertise exemplify the best of what digital engagement can achieve.

Dr. Sinéad McCoole, Head of Exhibitions, Learning and Programming, said: "The Flickr Volunteers celebrate 10 years of showcasing the NLI's photographic collection, which holds over 5 million items. Their work in scholarship and research builds rich layers of storytelling. These dedicated volunteers, using the Flickr platform, play a central role in the NLI’s exhibitions, learning initiatives, and programming, supporting our mission as Ireland’s memory keepers."

Looking Forward

As we celebrate this milestone, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers and community members who have made the NLI Flickr Commons account such a phenomenon. With a unique blend of humour, dedication and detective work, the Three Marys and our Flickr community continue to uncover the stories behind the images. In doing so, they connect us all to the past in ways that are both insightful and fun.

Here’s to the next 10 years of discovery and collaboration!

You can access the National Library of Ireland Flickr Commons page here.