History

Origins of the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

Origins of the Service of Nine  Lessons and Carols

In Dublin the first service of Nine Lessons and Carols was held in 1914 in North Strand Church. It was organised by Rev. David Wilson, who had been inspired by reading Bishop Benson on the subject. Wilson went on to be rector in Donnybrook for a number of years in 1917 before becoming Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral

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Dublin’s future skyline and a history of high rise

Peter McNamara Since the beginning of Dublin’s housing crisis, politicians, planners, developers and Dubliners have been arguing about whether we should be building up and not out to solve our shortages. To some, the sky (and sky-scrapers) are the limit. […]

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Patsy Gallagher: The Mighty Atom (part 1)

Gavan Bergin Patrick ‘Patsy’ Gallagher was born in Milford Workhouse in Co. Donegal in 1891. He spent the first few years of his life living in Ramelton, a small village on the shores of Loch Swilly. When he was three, […]

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Swastika Laundry remembered

Eoin Meegan Much has changed around Ballsbridge over the last century, as in many other parts of the capital. One big change is the disappearance forever of a one-time iconic building and industry, the Swastika Laundry. Operating for over 70 […]

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Is Samhain the origin of Halloween?

Eoin Meegan Halloween is going to look very different this year in the teeth of a pandemic and with all the usual activities either cancelled or put online. So maybe it’s a good time to take a look at the […]

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A sinister side of science: Dublin’s grave robbers

Geneva Pattison Grisly stories of grave robbing have been shared and passed down for eons. These cautionary tales struck fear into the hearts of all who listened, through talk of curses, undead monsters and hauntings associated with the act of […]

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Celebrating virtual Heritage Week 2020

BY Alyson Gavin, event coordinator To mark Heritage Week 2020, a virtual presentation entitled “St John’s Sandymount: our educational and cultural heritage” will be available from 15th August on the church’s website www.sandymount.dublin.anglican.org.   Using the records of St John’s, newspaper […]

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Getting street smart with Logainm: The history of Dublin 4 street and place names

Geneva Pattison The extension of the government-sanctioned travelling distance from two kilometres to five kilometres was a small, but very welcome, improvement to our everyday lives. It’s wonderful to just be outside, although we often find ourselves walking the same […]

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JOHNNY GAVIN: THE GOAL MACHINE

By Gavan Bergin Johnny Gavin was born in 1928 in Limerick. By the time he left school he had become one of the top footballers in Limerick and at the age of 19 he was playing with the League of […]

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News from The Old Dublin Society

A self-portrait of Sarah Cecilia Harrison, reproduced by kind permission of the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin’s first female city councillor, is the front cover illustration for this issue as it relates to one of the articles in it. Articles featured […]

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