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Many people have seen photos of the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in Ireland, but the Library of Congress took an interesting approach. Before St. Patrick’s Day last year, it asked for and posted more than 100 photochroms of Ireland taken between 1890 – 1900. Here’s a look at some of those same spots over a hundred years ago, then again today. ~ As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction. Photo #1 by Shiraz Chakera

Rope Bridge, Carrick-a-Rede. County Antrim, Ireland – Photochrom print, color, taken between 1890-1900. Photochrom prints are colorized images made from black and white photo negatives. ~ May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours! Photo #2 by Library of Congress

Rope Bridge, Carrick-a-Rede in Ireland as it is “now.” It was somewhat impossible to find the exact same angle of the rope bridge under a creative commons license. ~ What’s the use of being Irish if the world doesn’t break your heart? Photo #3 by Quichot (Edwin Klein)

Devenish Island ruins, Lough Erne. County Fermanagh, Ireland. Photochrom print colorized, taken between 1890-1900. ~ If you are lucky enough to be Irish, then you are lucky enough. Photo #4 by Library of Congress

Devenish Island ruins as they are “now” in Ireland. ~ May your blessings outnumber, The shamrocks that grow, And may trouble avoid you, Wherever you go!Photo #5 by Überraschungsbilder

Ruins of Dunluce Castle in Ireland. This colorized photochrom print was taken in the 1890s. ~ May the best day of your past, Be the worst day of your future.Photo #6 by Library of Congress

The ruins of Dunluce Castle “now” in Ireland. ~ May your home be filled with laughter, May your pockets be filled with gold, And may you have all the happiness, Your Irish heart can hold. Photo #7 by Damien du Toit

Inside the ruins of Dunluce Castle “now” in Ireland. ~ May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live. Photo #8 byjohn.purvis

The Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. This colorized photochrom print was taken in the 1890s. ~ May your neighbors respect you, troubles neglect you, the angels protect you, and Heaven accept you. Photo #9 Library of Congress

The Giant’s Causeway in Ireland as it is “now.” ~ May you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you’re dead! Photo #10 Alan Bruce

The Honeycombs at Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. This photochrom print was taken and colored in 1890. ~ Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal. Photo #11 Library of Congress

This is The Honeycombs, Giant’s Causeway as it is “now.” ~ May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, May good luck pursue you each morning and night.Photo #12 Überraschungsbilder

Another cool capture of The Honeycombs, Giant’s Causeway as it is “now.” ~ A wish for a friend: Wishing you a rainbow for sunlight after showers; Miles and miles of Irish smiles for golden happy hours; Shamrocks at your doorway for luck and laughter too, And a host of friends that never ends each day your whole life through! Photo #13 Ty TS Drown

This is Ross Castle, II, in Killarney, Ireland. The color photochrom print was taken in the 1890s. ~ Like the warmth of the sun and the light of the day, May the luck of the Irish shine bright on your way. Photo #14 Library of Congress

This is Ross Castle in Killarney, Ireland, as it is “now.” ~ May joy and peace surround you, Contentment latch your door, And happiness be with you now and bless you evermore. Photo #15 BlackburnPhoto

This is Muckross Abbey, Killarney, Ireland. The photochrom print was taken and colorized in the 1890s. ~ May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold – And at the end of your rainbows, may you find a pot of gold. Photo #16 Library of Congress

This is Muckross Abbey, Killarney, Ireland, as it is “now.” ~ These things, I warmly wish for you – Someone to love, Some work to do, A bit of – sun, A bit – cheer, And a guardian angel always near. Photo #17 Clemensfranz