Lafcadio Hearn enjoys great acclaim as a literary genius who brought the folklore of Japan to Westerners. Yet behind the novelist lived Hearn the teacher. As a translator, he saw learning as the source of intercultural understanding. As a mediator, Hearn advocated a cosmopolitan outlook on Japan. Caring about cultural and social tensions, he sought...
ONLINE TALK Writer and historian Kieran Connell sheds new light on the experiences of the hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants who made lives for themselves in Britain over the second half of the twentieth century. Drawing on his new book, Multicultural Britain: A People’s History, Connell explores the discrimination the Irish experienced and how...
The story of James Connolly is dominated by two locations: Liberty Hall and the GPO. This talk will explore the other aspects of this time in Dublin, in particular the places associated with his political and social activism. Connolly lived, for the most part, in the Liberties and south inner city. He held political meetings...
Writer Nicola Pierce will give an illustrated talk based on her book 'O'Connell Street: The History and Life of Dublin's Iconic Street'. In discussing her research, she will include some of the stories she discovered about the street - formerly a medieval path - that was transformed by the visionary Luke Gardiner in the grandest...
**Apologies, registration full** The website on the history of the Poddle River was developed by the Crumlin & Walkinstown History Group to raise awareness of the River and its historic past. The new website will be introduced and demonstrated at the event. This will be followed by Cathy Scuffil's talk. Note: Limited spaces, email walkinstownlibrary@dubllincity.ie...
**Apologies, registration full** This river of many names, mostly flowing underground, out of sight and often forgotten, has borne witness to all the key events of our shared history. It creates estate and parish boundaries, illustrates how skilled our Medieval ancestors were at hydro-engineering, it protected our city and citizens from invasion and most importantly...
David Lloyd George boasted that he had 'murder by the throat' in a speech in London in 1920 having swamped Ireland with troops, Black and Tans, Auxilliaries, assassins, touts and informants. Eighteen months later the British left Ireland defeated by counter-espionage. Edward J. Bourke, using information newly investigated, outlines for us a web of espionage,...
An illustrated talk on the history of tourism in Dublin with Dublin City Historian in Residence, Katie Blackwood. Tourism is an industry that packages and sells culture and national identity and this talk will explore these issues while tracing Dublin's own meandering journey as a place to visit. Note: Limited spaces, booking essential.
In Shakespeare's drama ageing is variably described as, 'when age is in, the wit is out' (Much Ado About Nothing) and 'silver hairs/will purchase us good opinion' (Julius Caesar). This talk confronts the complexities and contradictions associated with growing old in Shakespeare's time. As our population continues to age and incidences of ageism increase, the...
Sheila O'Flanagan, Jennifer Ryan and Nicola Cassidy will discuss their novels on a theme of War in Fiction, with Hazel Gaynor. The world wars, the Irish civil war and the War of Independence are popular settings for historical novels. This fascinating event will explore why periods of war appeal for writing fiction, the inspiration and...
Driven by a determined hope or the gritty practicalities of lived experiences the resilience of Irish women has been both situational and generational. This panel discussion will showcase original research questioning what drove these women to rebound from adversity and to adapt and withstand daunting societal and personal provocations. Note: Booking essential.
Join Author, Albert Perris, for a history of Tallaght House, one of the finest 19th century residences in Tallaght village. Built in the 1820s by Major James Palmer, Tallaght House then passed to John Lentaigne, before being sold to the Dominican Order in 1855. Albert Perris will explore the milestones, characters and tragedies, beyond the...
Despite initially warm relations between the Bolsheviks and the underground Dáil administration in 1920, it would be another 54 years before formal diplomatic relations were established, when a Soviet embassy opened on Dublin’s Orwell Road, and Irish diplomat, Jim Sharkey, turned the key in the door of an Irish embassy in Moscow. In conversation with...
Meg Connery was a leading figure in the Irish militant suffragette movement of the early twentieth century, and was prominent in driving the campaign for voting rights for Irish women. A contributor to The Irish Citizien newspaper, one of the most iconic images of the revolutionary period shows her confronting Andrew Bonar Law and Edward...
The Dublin launch of James Durney’s new book, ‘Jailbreak, Great Irish Republican Escapes’ will take place in the historical surrounding s of the East Wing of Kilmainham Gaol. James will give a brief presentation about the famous escape from Kilmainham on 14 January 1921 as part of the event.
To understand the past of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown is to understand that of all Ireland. Its remarkable diversity of landscapes, occupations, socio-economic status, politico-cultural affiliations, and views create a place that has often been both a microcosm of all Ireland and at the vanguard of change. Following extensive oral history research by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown...
Take a guided tour of 18 Ormond Quay Upper, a traditional Dublin 1840s merchant shop-house saved and restored by Dublin Civic Trust. This demonstration of best conservation practice secured the prestigious Europa Nostra Award/European Heritage Award 2021 for reviving over-the-shop living while respecting the building's special character. View the traditionally decorated upper floor rooms hung...
Take a tour of the largest terraced house on Merrion Square, learn about its history, see the latest exhibitions and discover the work of the Irish Architectural Archive. No booking required.
