Introducing the Bluett Collection
The Bluett Collection features 88 signed photographs of actors with a Dublin connection. Legendary entertainers like Sara Allgood, Noel Purcell and Jimmy O’Dea feature in the exhibition, alongside movie stars such as Maureen O’Hara and Peter O’Toole, as well as actors who have a strong connection to the city, like Daniel Day-Lewis and John Hurt.
Liam Bluett collected these signed photographs over two decades. “I’m happy to donate them to the Little Museum,” said Liam, “because they will be seen and appreciated by people from all over the world. The collection will revive interest in some legends from the golden age of the movies, alongside more recent stars such as Eve Hewson, Barry Keoghan and Aidan Turner.”
When we asked Liam to select his favourite entertainers, he said, “I think Geraldine Fitzgerald is very interesting given her work in Hollywood, and her cabaret acts in Irish street songs. She had a very versatile career. Audrey Dalton is another fascinating one. She went to Hollywood in 1952 and made films like My Cousin Rachel with Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton. Her father was Emmet Dalton, who was with Michael Collins when he died. Later in life he set up Ardmore Studios.”
As it happens, many of these actors have made films in Ardmore. All of them have sprinkled some stardust over Dublin. Maybe you will find yourself on our walls one day?
The Dublin stars showcased at the Little Museum reflect collector Liam Bluett’s passion for Irish acting talent. Liam also generously donated a collection of more than 580 autographed photographs to the National Library of Ireland, highlighting actors from every corner of the island. The collection features performers from the silent movie era through to contemporary stars and is available for public viewing in the National Library’s photographic reading rooms. Explore more at nli.ie