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Lecture details below:
Becoming John Gray: the beginning of celebrity culture?
Listen to or download 'Becoming John Gray' a talk by Jerusha McCormack'
[play time: 58 minutes/file size: 26.8 MB]
John Gray was an ordinary working-class man who, as the alleged model for the “Dorian” of Oscar Wilde’s novel, became a household name. How did this happen? Did Wilde in fact invent John Gray? What forces colluded to help manufacture this new kind of fame – known to us now as “celebrity culture” – and what was its price? By retelling the story of the man who became Dorian Gray, Jerusha McCormack throws new light on the power of Wilde’s novel: to create as well as to destroy those around him – and finally to conscript the very life of the author himself.
Jerusha McCormack is a leading scholar of Oscar Wilde and his circle, Jerusha McCormack has written the definitive biography of John Gray, the young working-class lad rumoured to be the model for The Picture of Dorian Gray. After 30 years as a lecturer in the School of English at University College, Dublin, Dr. McCormack now works as a Visiting Professor at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, where she helped set up the first (and so far, the only, comprehensive Irish Studies Centre in China). The lecture was held at Dublin City Library & Archive on Monday 26 April.
The Eight Annual Emmet Spring Lecture
Listen to or download "Rediscovering Emmet's Dublin through the collections of Dublin City Public Libraries" by Dr Máire Kennedy (external link) [play time: 47 mins; file size: 21mb]
The 8th Annual Emmet Spring Lecture hosted by the Emmet and Devlin Committee and Dublin City Public Libraries, was held at Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse Street on Monday 15 March.
The Thirteenth Annual Sir John T. Gilbert Lecture
Listen to or download "Commodious temples: Catholic church building in nineteenth-century Dublin" by Brendan Grimes
[play time: 01:05 hours; file size: 29.5mb]
On Thursday 21 January 2010 the thirteenth annual Sir John T. Gilbert Commemorative Lecture was held at Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emer Costello, was chairman for the evening. City Librarian, Deirdre Ellis-King, welcomed the capacity audience and introduced the Lord Mayor.
The thirteenth lecture was given by Brendan Grimes, Dublin School of Architecture, D.I.IT. Bolton Street. Brendan Grimes lecture, 'Commodious temples: Catholic church building in nineteenth-century Dublin', brought the audience on a fascinating tour of Dublin churches such as Saint Nicholas of Myra's, Saint Audeon's and Saint Francis Xavier's.
Dublin City Public Libraries 1884-2009
Listen to or download 'Dublin City Public Libraries 1884-2009: 125 years of service to the community"
[play time: 41 minutes/file size: 18.5 MB]
A talk to commemorate 125 years of Public Library Service in Dublin City by, Deirdre Ellis-King, Dublin City Librarian (1985 - May 2010) as part of Local History Day 26th September, 2009.
Culture Night 2009: 'Songlines' - an evening of words and music
Listen to or download "Songlines" - an evening of words and music
Songlines was an evening of readings by students of the 2008-2009 MPhil in Creative Writing at the Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing, Trinity College Dublin and Cumann Scríbhneoirí Úra na Gaeilge with traditional & classical music by students of the R.I.A.M. The event was part of Culture Night 2009 and took place on 25th September in Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse Street.
Ceithre seachtaine, Carnán scéalta: Cromail i mBaile Atha Cliath, 1649
Four Weeks, a collection of stories of Cromwell in Dublin 1649
Listen to or download "Ceithre seachtaine, Carnán scéalta: Cromail i mBaile Atha Cliath, 1649"
[play time: 44 minutes/file size: 17.6 MB]
Thug Dr Maighréad Ní Mhurchadha, (léachtóir agus staraí), léacht gearr mar gheall ar na scéalta atá ag baint le saol Cromail i mBaile Átha Cliath. Is as Cathair Bhaile Átha Cliath ó dhúchas í Maighréad agus tá roinnt leabhar agus roinnt altanna sna hirisí stairúla foilsithe aici.
On Monday 9th March 2009, Maighréad Ní Mhurchadha, (lecturer and historian) gave a talk on stories relating to Oliver Cromwell. Maighréad is a native of Dublin and has published books and journal articles including Early Modern Dubliners, published by Dublin City Public Libraries.
The Twelfth Annual Sir John T. Gilbert Lecture
‘Dublin's civic buildings in the early modern period’ by Professor Colm Lennon
Listen to or download "Dublin's civic buildings in the early modern period" [play time: 43 minutes/file size: 17.14 MB]
Note: This is a large file and may take a while to download, especially with a dial-up connection.
On Thursday 22 January 2009 the twelfth annual Sir John T. Gilbert Lecture was held at Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Eibhlín Byrne, was chairman for the evening. City Librarian, Deirdre Ellis-King, welcomed the capacity audience and introduced the Lord Mayor.
The twelfth lecture Dublin's civic buildings in the early modern period, given by Professor Colm Lennon, Department of History, NUI Maynooth. Colm's illustrated lecture was very well received by the audience.
Councillor Byrne formally launched the newly published eleventh Sir John T. Gilbert Lecture: Christine Casey’s River, rivalry and revolt: history of the built fabric of Dublin City. Details of Christine Casey's publication.
Culture Night Readings
Listen to or download "Culture Night Readings"
As part of Culture Night members of Cumann Scríbhneoirí Óga agus Úra na Gaeilge and the 2007-2008 class of the MPhil in Creative Writing at Trinity College Dublin, based in the Oscar Wilde Centre, came together to perform a series of readings from their work. This bilingual event took place on 19 September 2008 in Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street.
Blaiseadh Pinn Nuascríbhneoireacht Ghaeilge - Seo an chéad chnuasach d'ábhar, idir phrós agus fhilíocht, le cuid de na baill de "Chumann Scríbhneoirí Óga agus Úra na Gaeilge" - guthanna sainiúla nua i litríocht na Gaeilge. Tuilleadh eolas: http://scribhneoirioga.blogspot.com
Sixteen After Ten is the anthology of new writing from the 2007-2008 class of the MPhil in Creative Writing at Trinity College Dublin, based in the Oscar Wilde Centre on Westland Row. More information: http://www.tcd.ie/OWC/sixteenafterten/
Dublin in 1608.
Listen to "Dublin in 1608" while following the presentation
[play time: 30 minutes/file size: 12 MB]
This lecture coincided with the launch of the new publication, 'Early Modern Dubliners', by Dr Maighréad N Mhurchadha, on the 28th August 2008. With an introduction by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Eibhlin Byrne.
The book tells the stories of a few of Dublin's residents during the Renaissance period. Published by Dublin City Public Libraries. Dublin City has a remarkable collection of historical documents, many of which are under the care of Dublin City Council. The author has drawn on the contents of these and other records to tell the stories of a few of Dublin's residents during the Renaissance period. Despite many difficulties, including plaque, riots, the threat of war and serious religious differences, the citizens combined to maintain a spirit of independence, a belief in the importance of their city and a strong sense of community, often using unorthodox means to achieve their ends and, occasionally, even managing to enjoy themselves!
The Eleventh Annual Sir John T. Gilbert Lecture
"River, rivalry and revolt: history of the built fabric of Dublin City" by Dr Christine Casey
Listen to or download "River, rivalry and revolt"
[play time: 35 minutes/file size: 8.83 MB]
Note: This is a large file and may take a while to download, especially with a dial-up connection.
On Tuesday 23 January 2008 the eleventh annual Sir John T. Gilbert Lecture was held at Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Paddy Burke, was chairman for the evening. City Librarian, Deirdre Ellis-King, welcomed the capacity audience and introduced the Lord Mayor.
The eleventh lecture River, rivalry and revolt: history of the built fabric of Dublin City, given by Dr Christine Casey, School of Art History and Cultural Policy, UCD, was much enjoyed by the audience.
Councillor Burke formally launched the newly published tenth Sir John T. Gilbert Lecture: Michael Corcoran’s 'Through streets broad and narrow': a history of Dublin’s Trams. Details of Michael Corcoran's publication.
The Underestimated Mr. Wesley
"The Underestimated Mr. Wesley: Charles Wesley - 1707 - 1788" a lecture by Dudley Levistone Cooney.
Listen to or download "The Underestimated Mr. Wesley: Charles Wesley 1707 - 1788"
[play time: 60 minutes/file size: 24 MB]
Note: This is a large file and may take a while to download, especially with a dial-up connection.
To celebrate the tercentary of Charles Wesley's birth Dublin City Library presented The Underestimated Mr. Wesley, a lecture by Dudley Levistone Cooney.
Charles Wesley was a leader of the Methodist movement and younger brother of John Wesley. Wesley is primarily remembered as a writer of hymns including the Christmas favourite Hark! the Herald Angels Sing. He was also one of the most prolific poets in the English Language.
The lecture was held in Dublin City Library and Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 on 18th December 2007.
The Tenth Annual Sir John T. Gilbert Lecture
'Through streets broad and narrow': a history of Dublin’s trams by Michael Corcoran
Listen or download "A History of Dublin Tram's" (external link)
[play time: 63 minutes/file size: 26 MB]
Note: This is a large file and may take a while to download, especially with a dial-up connection.
On Tuesday 23 January 2007 the tenth annual Sir John T. Gilbert Lecture was held at Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Vincent Jackson, was chairman for the evening. City Librarian, Deirdre Ellis-King, welcomed the capacity audience and introduced the Lord Mayor.
The tenth lecture was given by Michael Corcoran, retired staff member of Dublin City Council, and founding member of the National Transport Museum at Howth. Michael’s illustrated lecture, 'Through streets broad and narrow': a history of Dublin’s trams, was received with enthusiasm by the audience. His large range of slides and his entertaining delivery made it a memorable evening. Members of the audience shared many memories of Dublin trams. One former tramway worker, Jimmy Wylie, was present and he brought some wonderful staff photographs to show everyone.
Councillor Jackson formally launched the newly published ninth Sir John T. Gilbert Lecture: Professor Andrew Carpenter's 'Mrs Harris, her pocket and her petition: some thoughts on Swift's Dublin Castle poems of 1699-1701.' Details of Professor Andrew Carpenter's publication.