CAIN: Photographs by William L. Rukeyser

PHOTOGRAPHS BY WILLIAM L. RUKEYSER

The following photographs and information was provided by William L. Rukeyser
[Last update: 1 February 2012]

Introduction

This section contains a series of colour photographs taken by William L. Rukeyser of the events of 'Bloody Sunday' (30 January 1972). In addition there are some audio clips of the events that day and the days in the immediate aftermath. There is also a series of colour photographs taken by Rukeyser of a Civil Rights march in Newry on 6 February 1972, the week after Bloody Sunday.

Background

photograph copyright of William L. Rukeyser - photograph is one of a series taken on Bloody Sunday in Derry 30 January 1972

William L. Rukeyser is an American who was living and working as a freelance reporter, based in Belfast, for periods of time in 1971 and 1972. He was working both as a photographer and a radio reporter for United Press International (a US news agency) on 'Bloody Sunday' (30 January 1972) in Derry, when British soldiers shot and killed 13 unarmed civilians and shot and injured a further 13, one of whom later died.

He took a number of colour photographs of events on that day. Some of these photographs were made available at his flickr web page. William L. Rukeyser has given his permission for the photographs to be available at the CAIN site. 'Click' on the thumbnail images below to see the two albums.

In his role as radio reporter he recorded the sounds of the initial shooting, an interview with an eyewitness, some of the events surrounding the funerals, and recorded a number of reports. William L. Rukeyser has given his permission for the audio clips to be available at the CAIN site.

At the bottom of the page are some links to other photographs taken by William L. Rukeyser at a Civil Rights demonstration in Newry one week after 'Bloody Sunday'.

Colour Photographs of Bloody Sunday (30 January 1972)

This series of 24 photographs was taken on Bloody Sunday (30 January 1972) by William L. Rukeyser, in the Bogside area of Derry, and on the main road between Belfast and Derry. The photographs have been presented on separate pages. The thunbnail images are links to the larger photographs. The photographs are presented in the sequence in which they were shot.

Some of Rukeyser's original photographs were not returned to him after their use by the news agency. The images on CAIN are the ones that remain. In January 2012 Rukeyser donated the original slides to, and shared the copyright with, The National Library of Ireland (NLI). The images appear on CAIN courtsey of the photographer William L. Rukeyser and The National Library of Ireland (NLI).

Audio Clips of Bloody Sunday and the Immediate Aftermath

Below are links to a series of audio clips recorded by William L. Rukeyser of the events of 'Bloody Sunday' (30 January 1972) and the immediate aftermath.

Note: The following audio clips are in MP3 format. To listen to the material 'click' on the links below. If the audio clips do not play as expected then you should first download the file to your computer by 'right-clicking' and choosing "Save Link Target As...". Then use an 'MP3 Player' or a 'RealPlayer' program to play the clip.

Sounds of initial shooting on Bloody Sunday, recorded behind British Army lines
William Street, Derry; Sunday 30 January 1972
MP3 File 1,922KB 1:21Minutes
Experts retained by the British Government's Bloody Sunday Inquiry have reported this is the best audio recording of the shooting: "Rukeyser provides the longest and cleanest 'shot' [audio] sequence." (C.M. Mills; Network International, Forensic Science Division)
Interview with Roman Catholic priest (later Bishop of Derry) Rev. Edward Daly soon after shooting ended

MP3 File

Report on Bloody Sunday killings by William L. Rukeyser for UPI Audio service
Derry; Sunday 30 January 1972

MP3 File

Report on Bloody Sunday funeral by William L. Rukeyser for UPI Audio Service (and portion of funeral service)

MP3 File

Roll call of the dead at funeral for 'Bloody Sunday' victims

MP3 File

Hymn, 'Nearer My God To Thee', at funeral for 'Bloody Sunday' victims
St Mary's Chapel, Creggan, Derry; Wednesday 2 February 1972
MP3 File 1,085KB 0:46Minutes

Colour Photographs of the Newry March (6 February 1972)

This series of 25 photographs was taken by William L. Rukeyser at a Civil Rights march in Newry on 6 February 1972; the week after Bloody Sunday. The photographs have been presented on separate pages. The thunbnail images are links to the larger photographs. The photographs are presented, as far as possible, in the sequence in which they were shot.

The Newry march attracted one of the largest crowds to attend a Civil Rights march in Northern Ireland.

Other Information

In February 1972 William L. Rukeyser received a threatening letter claiming to have been sent by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) in Belfast

Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). (1972). 'Friend Rukeyser', (14 February 1972), [PDF; 99KB]. Belfast: UVF.