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Bog bodies suffered violent and grisly deaths. Of these bodies, the most famous, Cashel Man was discovered near Portlaoise in 2011, and at over 4000 years old, is said to be the oldest European bog body ever found with skin intact; then there is Old Croghan Man from Co. Offaly, and Clonycavan Man from Co. Meath. At 6’6", Old Croghan Man, who was killed between 362 BC and 175 BC, was a giant of a man. He bore the appearance of a nobleman from his well-manicured soft hands to his diet, rich in meat. Clonycavan Man was little more than 5 ft and used pine resin to keep his hair in place, probably sourced from Spain (a precursor to hair gel!) and demonstrates that he was a person of some wealth and standing in the community.Photo on the left shows the bog body found in Cashel Bog. Old Croghan man had holes cut through his upper arms through which ropes were inserted to restrain him, after which he was repeatedly stabbed, had his nipples sliced off, and was then cut in half. Clonycavan man was disemboweled and suffered three blows to the head with an axe, once across his body, and then had his nipples removed too. Ned Kelly, former keeper of antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland told the Irish Examiner that a clear pattern has emerged in each case. "We do not think of these bog bodies in the same way as we do axes or implements that are found," he said."You have to remember that these are individuals and it is absolutely essential to deal with their remains in a dignified manner. There would be no justification for taking these bodies unless we do so with respect and with the serious intent to tell their stories on their behalf.""Human sacrifice was apparently a normal part of the Celtic rituals, especially of kings in hard times. The killings tend to be excessive in that more is done to the bodies than would be required to bring about their deaths. Bog bodies may have their throats cut, been stabbed in the heart and have other cut marks. However, it is absolutely not torture, but a form of ritual sacrifice.""The king had great power but also great responsibility to ensure the prosperity of his people. Through his marriage on his inauguration to the goddess of the land, he was meant to guarantee her benevolence. He had to ensure the land was productive, so if the weather turned bad, or there was plague, cattle disease or losses in war, he was held personally responsible."Cutting the nipples was more than torture. The aim was to dethrone the king. "Sucking a king’s nipples was a gesture of submission in ancient Ireland," says Kelly. "Cutting them would have made him incapable of kingship in this world or the next.""By using a range of methods to kill the victim, the ancient Irish sacrificed to the goddess in all her forms. This manner of death is peculiar to the ritual killing of kings. It means that a king was being decommissioned."

Welcome to the third entry in our blog series 'Lost in the Stacks' - recommendations by Dublin City Libraries staff exploring overlooked gems and helping you find your next read!Our entry today comes from one of our wonderful librarians, Jessica, and looks at some of the best essay collections in our libraries!Essay CollectionsIs there a greater joy than settling comfortably with a beverage of your choice and reading a well-crafted essay?There is a particular form of literary alchemy that takes place in the best essays - the fusion of the personal with social commentary combined with a stylistic elegance. Often offering a unique perspective on a cultural moment or a brief window into another world, a good essay has a habit of staying with you long after the pages have turned and the book is closed.Here is a selection of the very best essay collections for you to enjoy. If you'd like to borrow any of the books discussed below, simply click on the book cover or title to be taken to the reserves page, where you'll need your library card and PIN to request the book.1. Pulphead: dispatches from the other side of America by John Jeremiah SullivanPulphead is a fascinating collection of essays exploring pop culture and subcultures of American life fused with memoir and aspects from the writer’s own life. Written with a gentle wit and probing intelligence, it is hard to resist reading the entire collection in one go.2. Changing my mind: occasional essays by Zadie SmithThis is a fabulous collection of Zadie Smith’s book reviews, film reviews and non-fiction prose. Witty, honest and refreshing, it is a pleasure to dip in and out of.3. Naked by David SedarisDavid Sedaris has cornered the market in humorous memoir based essays. The stories here are sardonic, wry and darkly hilarious with a touch of pathos and just the right amount of hindsight and self-knowledge to balance the comic absurdity.4. Men explain things to me by Rebecca SolnitThe title essay of this book has gained iconic status since it was published but each of the essays in this book are powerful reminders of why we need feminism. Essential reading.5. This is the story of a happy marriage by Ann PatchettAnn Patchett is best known as a novelist but this book collects her earlier non-fiction articles. This is a fabulous collection of personal essays and memoir pieces that explore key moments in her life. Her writing is warm, engaging, and shining through with humour and kindness.

Dublin Festival of History returns for it's sixth year and takes place from the 24th September to 7th October. This year will see over 140 events across the city, with talks, walks, tours and exhibitions on a wide range of topics, including the historical impact of gaming, former slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass’ time spent in Ireland, a queer history of Kilmainham Gaol, an evening of conversation and music with Christy Dignam, as well as numerous events marking 100 years of Irish women’s suffrage. All events are free.The Festival will culminate with a ‘Big Weekend’ series of talks at City Hall and the Printworks, Dublin Castle, taking place from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th October featuring many best-selling historians. Michael Palin will bring to life the history of the ship HMS Erebus, Anne Applebaum will discuss Stalin’s war on the Ukraine in the 1930s, while Helen Rappaport will shed new light on the murder of the Russian Imperial Family after the Bolshevik Revolution, 100 years after their death.Commenting on the launch of the full programme of events, Brendan Teeling, Dublin City Librarian, said: “The Dublin Festival of History has been growing year-on-year since we started in 2013 and we’re delighted to launch an expanded and diverse programme of events for this year’s Festival, all completely free of charge. We’re immensely proud of the diversity of topics, and we’re also really pleased that once again the Festival has achieved gender balance, in fact we have a majority of female speakers on our line-up this year. “History isn’t just for academics – whether you have an interest in fashion, gaming, GAA, maps or want to know more about the first wave of Irish feminism – we’ll have an event for you. We’d encourage everyone to check out our programme, come along to an event and learn something new.”If you have an interest in history you can’t miss this Festival and remember, all events are free!The Dublin Festival of History is brought to you by Dublin City Council and is organised by Dublin City Public Libraries.View the full programme at dublinfestivalofhistory.ie | Library-based Events |  Dublin Festival of History programme (PDF, 6.32MB)

As 2018 marks the centenary of the end of the First World War, Rathmines Library will host a book display called Witnesses to War throughout the month of March. This will include both fiction and non fiction works. These titles include personal accounts that document the callousness, cruelty and tragedy of war while others demonstrate how the experience of war continues to inform a writer’s work long after a war has ended.Two of our chosen authors, Irene Nemirovsky and Anne Frank did not survive the wars they witnessed. Their accounts demand our attention and demonstrate the enduring power of the human imagination and spirit over the bleak realities, and sense of hopelessness that accompanies war.Others including Ernest Hemingway, J.R.R. Tolkien and George Orwell allowed their experiences to permeate their words to create classic works that are just as relevant today as they were when they were first published.  We have also selected a number of authors from more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan who have recorded their experiences by writing gripping memoirs.All our selected authors bore witness to war, and their work leaves a lasting legacy, often serving as a warning, but also enriching and giving hope to all in these increasingly fractured times. 

Digital Leaders asked leaders from across enterprise, government, charities and academia and former winners of their Digital100 Award to recommend their top summer reads.  It makes for an interesting and refreshing summer reading list, as not everyone likes to switch off with the latest light fiction or beach read. It will suit those of you who like to keep your brain engaged even while relaxing by the pool. Dip into these books and you're sure to be inspired and informed when you return to your desk.Most of these books are available in our libraries and some can be downloaded as ebooks from BorrowBox. Check our catalogue to borrow or reserve one of the Digital Leaders summer reads:       Writing on the Wall: Social Media - the first 2,000 years by Tom StandageThe Future of the Professions by Richard E. Susskind, Daniel SusskindFreedom's Forge by Arthur HermanThe Second Machine Age by Erik Brynjolfsson & Andrew McAfeeMaverick! by Richard SemlerAgile IT Organisation Design by Sriram NarayanBlack Box Thinking by Matthew SayedTribes by Seth GodinDigitizing Government: Understanding and Implementing new digital business models by Alan Brown, Jerry Fishenden & Mark ThompsonPeers Inc by Robin ChaseLeading by Alex Ferguson with Michael MoritzMore Human: Designing a world where people come first by Steve Hilton. More Human eBookThe Sleep Revolution by Arianna HuffingtonReinventing Organizations by Frederic LalouxThe Engaged Leader by Charlene LiThe Chimp Paradox: The Acclaimed Mind Management Programme to Help You by Dr Steve Peters. The Chimp Paradox eBookDigital to the Core by Mark Raskino and Graham WallerLean In by Cherly Sandberg.  Lean In eBookCorporations Don't Tweet, People Do by Euan SempleThe Industries of the Future by Alec Ross.  The Industries of the Future eBookThe Business of Sharing by Alex StephanyAbout Digital LeadersDigital Leaders is an online community promoting digital know-how, thought leadership and the sharing of best practice in Digital Transformation. See more at digileaders.com and Digital Leaders Summer Reads.  e more at digileaders.com: Digital Leaders Summer Reads http://digileaders.com/digital-leaders-summer-reads/  

The Battle of the Somme was the largest and bloodiest battle fought on the Western Front during World War I. It was fought between 1 July and 18 November 1916 and left more than 1 million men wounded or killed on both sides, including 3,500 Irish men (read some of their stories as recorded in the RDFA Archive). In our minds, the Somme signifies the horror of war especially the inexorable hardship, suffering and futility of trench warfare.Image: Detail from DCLA/RDFA1.09.047A  "War 1914-15-16... in the Somme French Offensive Relieving the trenches at Dompierre" (see larger image).If you would like to read about the Battle of the Somme we have compiled this short reading list.      The Somme Stations. Novel by Andrew Martin.  Detective Sergeant Jim Stringer who joined the North Eastern Railway Battalion at the start of the war, now finds himself at the front during the Battle of the Somme. Jim and his fellow soldiers are responsible for operating important trains carrying munitions.Birdsong. Novel by Sebastian Faulks. Account of the first day of the battle. See also Philip Martin's TV adaptation of Birdsong starring Eddie RedmayneObserve the sons of Ulster marching towards the Somme. Play by Frank McGuinness.Harry Clarke's War: Illustrations 1914-1918 by Marguerite Helmers. Examines Harry Clarke’s beautiful engravings, of great historical significance, for Ireland’s Memorial Records – the Roll of Honour of Ireland’s First World War Dead. (The Roll of Honour can be accessed via Findmypast, a family history database, available in the Reading Room)The Face of Battle by John Keegan. Detailed analysis of the Battle of the Somme from renowned military historian John KeeganFather Browne's First World War by E.E. O'Donnell. Photographs by Irish Jesuit and prolific photographer Francis Browne. Browne was chaplain to the Irish Guards from 1916 - 1920,    serving at the Battle of the Somme and at Locre, Wytschaete, Messines Ridge, Paschendaele, Ypres, Amiens and Arras in Flanders.The Road to the Somme: Men of the Ulster Division tell their story by Philip OrrAn Illustrated Introduction to the Somme 1916 by Robert ParkerThe First Day on the Somme by Martin MiddlebrookBelfast Boys: How Unionists and Nationalists fought and died together in the First World War by Richard Grayson. The story of men from either side of West Belfast’s sectarian divide who went to fight in the Great War, including the volunteers of the 36th and 16th divisions who fought on the Somme. Listen to Richard Grayson's 'Belfast Boys' talk from Festival of History 2015.We have many more books on the subject of the Somme available.The Central Library book display for July is 'Ireland - The Great War - The Somme'.

Fiona from Dog's Trust brought her friend Jake the dog to Pearse Street Library on Wednesday, 8th July 2015, where she (Fiona that is, not Jake!) showed the children all they needed to know about looking after a pet.Fiona and Jake are also appearing in Ballymun, Phibsboro', Pembroke, Pearse Street and Raheny during the same week.  Check our Events' Listing for details.Above: Jake got a little tired from all the effort at Pearse Street Library. Bless him!We have a wide ranging selection of books and other material on pet care, just some of which you can see in the photo below taken from a recent display in Pearse Street Library. Jake insisted the following list of just some of the titles you can borrow have a heavy emphasis on dogs, his favourite subject (!) (with links to the catalogue):Cats and DogsOwning a Pet DogHow to Look after Your Pet DogLucy the Dog100 Facts on Dogs and PuppiesMy Pet PuppySmall Pet CareYour Ultimate Pet Guide(Click image above to see larger version)

The Irish Times today (Mon, 17th Nov) published a story - "Survey reveals the most borrowed library books in Ireland" - listing,as the title states, the most borrowed books in Irish public libraries in the year to date. Dublin City Public Libraries contributed to the survey of course, and for your delectation we reproduce below some of the data we furnished. Topping the fiction list in Dublin City is the winner of the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, 'The Sound of Things Falling' by Colombian author Juan Gabriel Vásquez. Interesting to note also that the list is dominated by titles on the Award shortlist. The most popular non-fiction title has been the book selected for last April's Dublin: One City, One Book reading initiative, 'If Ever You Go: a Map of Dublin in Poetry and Song'.The top children's title, 'The Powers: the Not-So-Super Superheroes' by Kevin Stevens, in fact topped the overall list here in Dublin City, while the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series has proven to be the best read series by some distance. As if to demonstrate the 'power' of library reading initiatives, 'The Powers' was the 2014 Citywide Read for Children choice. (titles links below are to the library catalogue)Most Popular Adult FictionThe Sound of Things Falling (Juan Gabriel Vásquez) The Spinning Heart (Donal Ryan)The Light of Amsterdam (David Park)Questions of Travel (Michelle De Kretser)A Death in the Family (Karl Ove Knausgaard)Strumpet City (James Plunkett)Detour (Bakker Gerbrand)City of Bohane (Kevin Barry)   Most Popular Children's BooksThe Powers: the Not-So-Super Superheroes (Kevin Stevens) Diary of a Wimpy Kid - The Third Wheel (Jeff Kinney) Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Cabin Fever (Jeff Kinney) Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Hard Luck (Jeff Kinney) Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Ugly Truth (Jeff Kinney)Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (J.K. Rowling)    Most Popular Adult Non-fictionIf Ever You Go: a Map of Dublin in Poetry and Song (Various) Official Driver Theory Test (Road Safety Authority) The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness (multiple authors) Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation (Jon Kabat-Zinn) Staring at Lakes: a Memoir of Love, Melancholy and Magical Thinking (Michael Harding) 

The Dublin Festival of History has just come to a close, after a very successful run. It covered a huge variety of topics, ranging from the Battle of Clontarf to the Spanish Civil War, and hopefully the festival will have whetted your appetite for more exploration of our past. Public libraries offer plenty to read on all of the subjects covered in the festival, and plenty of other historical topics besides.   Witches, Spies and Stockholm SyndromeThe medieval period of Ireland is not well known, with very little research available on it, and this book goes a long way in filling the gap. Written in a chatty style, it explores a violent and precarious time, describing the conflict between Gaelic-Irish and Anglo-Norman, where family feuds would easily rival the Hatfields and Mccoys. It encompasses dentistry, transport, the empowerment of the peasantry, the first Irishman to visit China (1320s: who knew!), the Black Death, fire laws, and football. The only issue with this book is the lack of an index, otherwise a great read.   Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a DayWritten in the style of a modern travel guide, this accessible and witty book brings to life the expression ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’, covering all aspects of ancient Roman life: where to stay, what to eat, tourist attractions, nightlife, shopping. Very evocative, and proof that history doesn’t have to be dusty and dry.  Speaking Ill of the DeadA collection of lectures given by historians, including David Norris, which first aired on RTÉ Radio 1. The premise is simple: each picks a deceased person from Irish history, whose sainted reputation irritates them, and invites us to look at these people from another angle. Termed ‘counter-hagiography’, it’s all done in a refreshing spirit of non-bias and redressing the balance, and covers a range of people from the famous to the obscure. Best quote: ‘Maud Gonne – always the reliable eejit…’   Archduke Franz Ferdinand Lives!One of the talks in the festival saw Diarmaid Ferriter discussing counterfactualism with Richard J. Evans. Otherwise known as ‘what-if’, it explores the different roads we could have gone down if such and such an event had played out differently. This book examines possible scenarios for us had World War One never happened: for example, without WWI, Lebow reckons we would have had neither WW2 nor the Holocaust; and that poverty would have been eliminated in the developed world. Balancing this, the American civil rights movement could not have taken place and Rosa Parks would have been firmly kicked off the bus. A very thought-provoking read.  Mount Street ClubA local history gem, this is the story of the Mount Street Club, set up as a philanthropic society in the 1930s to combat Dublin’s widespread unemployment of the time. At its peak it had hundreds of members, who were enabled to find dignity through self-sufficiency, gaining international recognition for the club’s ideals. It includes lots of fascinating photos of Dublin from the 30s onwards.

Magazines – What are held here?The Business Information Centre has in excess of 160 magazine titles in print, including some of the newest and most topical editions – fancy browsing through TIME magazine or Business and Finance to find the latest current affair issues or something more local such as tending and nurturing your garden with The Irish Garden.This collection includes a wide variety of subjects encompassing both business and general reference material. Are you interested in any of these topics?accountancy, agriculture, arts, banking, building, business, education, employment, EU, finance, franchising, health, law, marketing, management, tourism, and training and gardening, angling, auto and wildlife many many more besides…Back issues are also available on request. Certain popular titles are bound at the end of each year and are held in storage.The current issues are displayed alphabetically and we encourage the use of our indexes to choose appropriate issues. Both subject and titles indexes are available. If help is needed, staff are always to hand. If you require a title which is not on display, we may be able to get it from another library for you or we may have it available electronically. Remember to always ask. Visit our library from Monday - Thursday 10am - 8pm, Friday - Saturday 10am - 5pm and enjoy the experience. Beir bua agus bain taitneamh as an cuairt.