Chislers: Images of Childhood in Dublin

Published on 28th July 2011

Junior Warden'Aisy, aisy, mind the chisler’.

Brendan Behan, The Confirmation Suit (1953)

This gallery consists of images of children going about their business in Dublin from the second half of the twentieth century up to the present day. It shows how Dublin’s childer and chislers filled their days from visits to the beach to dossing on street corners. It also shows the engagement of children in civic initiatives: the Junior Litter Wardens of Cabra and Ballymun, Community Pride events, Summer Projects, and the Community Games.

We hope that these photos will act as memory triggers for you. If you recognise anybody in the photos please add a comment so that we can remember them when they were ‘forever young’.

Also, view a gallery looking at childhood in Dublin from the 18th century onwards and taken from the Dublin and Irish Collection.

Images of childhood in Dublin

Further Resources

Dublin City Libraries has a wide range of sources on the social, political, and cultural history of Dublin, some of which are available online and some through the Dublin City Libraries network.

The Reading Room, Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street holds a wealth of material on the history of Dublin, including books, pamphlets, journals, street directories, and almanacs.

The following online resources can be accessed free of charge at your local library. Ask library staff for information and assistance.

For further reading, consult the Library Catalogue.