Dating a photo of funeral

[Modmaple]

Hello all. I/we have a problem and need your help. I'm a member of an 'old Newry photos' page on Facebook and we have a photo of a very large funeral, of someone we think must be of great importance. The photo has reached nearly 800 comments and there have been many splendid, educated guesses and suggestions but nothing concrete. The photo has also featured on the NLI page with requests to date and ascertain the deceased, to no avail.

So what we really need is a date from the clothes, the carriage and the street scene (Chapel St, Newry). There are hundreds of people in the photo, of seemingly all economic and social circumstances. I'm afraid I don't know the size, shape or form of the original: I just have the scanned photo. Sorry (I read the posting etiquette.)

Would anyone have a go at dating the photo? Our guesses range from the 1910s to the 1950s! Any and all help and suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[old rowley]

I can see why you have differences in the time span but this image would have been taken between the mid 1920's and possibly the late thirties. The Beret worn by the women came a fashion item from the mid 1920's and based on the Basque beret was worn in some quarters up to and including the war years but it was at its height during the 1930's, The other headwear worn by the women in the photograph was again popular during the mid to late 1920's and again throughout the early part of the 1930's. One thing that does strike me is that as there is a line either side of the hearse which only has women in it tends to make me think that it could be a funeral of a woman, possibly the mother of the two smartly dressed boys directly behind the hearse (but this is only my feeling about the set up of the mourners).

OR.

[Modmaple]

Thanks OR, I'll take that back to the group and we can start searching old newspapers in Newry library. Some good stuff there! 

Any other thoughts and suggestions greatly appreciated from anyone else, thanks in advance.

[1pds]

Do you know where in Newry that the photo was taken?  If so, you may be able to narrow the date down by comparing other photos of the area to match buildings etc. such as the chimneys in the background.

[danuslave]

possibly the mother of the two smartly dressed boys directly behind the hearse

There are 3 boys directly behind the hearse, but I take your point!

All those women and not a handbag in sight!  Is that significant?

Linda

[Modmaple]

Most of us believe the women flanking the coffin to be a colour party of some kind, an escort.

[Modmaple]

Do you know where in Newry that the photo was taken?  If so, you may be able to narrow the date down by comparing other photos of the area to match buildings etc. such as the chimneys in the background.

A good idea - I've forwarded your suggestion, thanks.

[mc8]

Is that a vicar about ten back from the boys in the centre?
If so, maybe there is a local photo of him which may help date this one

[osprey]

I agree with Old Rowley that it looks like the funeral for a woman, the front floral arrangement on top of the hearse looks like to could be in the shape of a hat.  The 3 women in line behind the woman in the cloche hat could be sisters, there looks to be a facial similarity. Sisters of the woman who died possibly? Or cousins?