Local History

Live Aid: the “Global Jukebox” 35 years on

Peter McNamara This summer will see the 35th anniversary of Live Aid, the greatest charity rock concert the world has ever seen. Masterminded by Dublin-born Bob Geldof, the event was organised in aid of Ethiopia, and the terrible famine it […]

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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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Shelbourne Road: From trams to Beetles

By Dermot Carmody The iconic, and increasingly rare, rear-engined Volkswagen Beetle still catches the eye today if you come across one on the 21st century roads. This, despite the fact that it was based on a 1930s design by Ferdinand […]

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The story of John Hearn

By Peter McNamara For over 70 years, a question mark hung over the fate of local lad John Hearn. In 1939, he went off to join the merchant navy during the Second World War, aged 19. From that date, up […]

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Men’s shed fundraiser and Ringsend’s historical shed

Peter McNamara There has been another breakthrough for the Dublin 4 Men’s Shed campaign– the shed is set to get a temporary location at the Ringsend & District Community Centre. Now, with that temporary location, the shed organisers can finally […]

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Bill McCracken: A master of defence

By Gavan Bergin Bill McCracken was born in the Falls Road area of Belfast in 1883. As a boy, Bill was very good at football, and by the time he left secondary school he had gained a reputation as one […]

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Childhood lasts more than one lifetime

By Kathrin Kobus Everybody knows that a clear-out of old things is a good idea. You might sit down, take out items that have been hidden away for years or decades. Suddenly childhood is back like yesterday. You need the […]

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The Rise and Fall of the Great Dunner

By Alexander Kearney Christmas is a time when we are naturally drawn to thinking about the past. Another year gone or perhaps a whole decade to look back upon; the totting up of accounts both financial and spiritual. Almost exactly […]

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We are the Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Sandymount Historical Society

We are the Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Sandymount Historical Society

Last week the Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Sandymount Historical Society held their AGM in the Hive in Herbert park. Chairperson of the society John Holohan got proceedings off to a start and relayed news of the future plans for Herbert Park, […]

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Jordan archive for National Library

Jordan archive for National Library

By David Prendeville Oscar-winning Irish writer and director Neil Jordan has donated his archive to the National Library of Ireland. The archive includes film and TV scripts, production files, storyboards, plays, notebooks and personal correspondence. Jordan, a graduate of UCD, […]

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