History on Your Doorstep at your Fingertips
Published on 12th August 2025
The ‘History on Your Doorstep’ series is written by Dublin City Council's Historians in Residence.
History On Your Doorstep Vol 8
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, launched the eighth edition of History on Your Doorstep at a reception in City Hall. The annual free publication features seven engaging chapters that explore Dublin’s history through fresh and personal perspectives.
Written by Dublin City Council’s Historians in Residence, along with guest author and food historian Dr Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire, the new volume spans topics from religion and politics to food, fashion, and family memory. This year’s volume has been edited by historian Elizabeth Kehoe and Dr Allison Galbari.
Pick up a free copy in your local library while stocks last.
It is available as an eBook from Borrowbox
Since 2017, the Dublin City Council's Historians in Residence have worked in neighbourhoods across Dublin City to encourage local people to engage with history, and to promote its sources and discussion, especially the historical collections in Dublin City Library & Archive. They have also produced bite-size history books documenting key moments in Irish history – a series titled 'History on Your Doorstep'.
Other volumes in the series explore myriad aspects of Dublin’s fascinating history, with, for example, chapters that explore the legacy of architect Herbert Sims, why Lemon Street is called Lemon Street, and the colourful life and career of football player and manager extraordinaire, Patrick O’Connell, who played for Manchester United and went on to manage FC Barcelona. The books also mark significant events in Dublin’s history, with one volume dedicated to Bloody Sunday in 1920.
Dublin City Historians in Residence are Cormac Moore, Mary Muldowney, Catherine Scuffil, Katie Blackwood, Elizabeth Kehoe and Historian in Residence for Children Dervilia Roche. The programme is created by Dublin City Libraries and is delivered in partnership with Dublin City Council Culture Company.
Each of the History on Your Doorstep books (Vol 1-8) are available as an eBook from Borrowbox and to download as a PDF below.
History on Your Doorstep at your fingertips
You can download copies of all eight volumes below.
- Volume 1 features chapters on suffragettes, the public housing architect Herbert Simms, the Monica Roberts collection of letters from First World War soldiers, a history of Edge Hardware in Fairview, Dublin railway workers, and William Spence and Sons foundry/engineering works on Cork Street.
- Volume 2 includes chapters on St. Ultan’s hospital, the piper Seamus Ennis, Dublin Corporation and the War of Independence, a history of Lemon’s Sweets, disappearing workplaces of Dublin, and housing in the Liberties.
- Volume 3 is a commemorative edition marking the 100th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, 21 November 1920, with five chapters outlining the events of this terrible day in Dublin’s history.
- Volume 4 the five chapters in this volume focus on different aspects of the city’s history.
- Volume 5 reflects the research conducted by the four Historians in Residence and the Historian in Residence for Children into the events of the Irish Civil War.
- Volume 6 Six stories of Dublin history written by the Dublin City Council Historians in Residence and the Historian in Residence for Children, and Dublin City Council Culture Company tour guide Alvean Jones.
- Volume 7 - Seven stories from across the city, including chapters on Holy Wells, Whitefriar Street, the Society of St Vincent de Paul and Marlborough House. Tá caibidil speisialta i nGaeilge ag an Scíbhneoir agus Staraí Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh.
- Volume 8 - Seven chapters written by Dublin City Council’s Historians in Residence, along with guest author and food historian Dr Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire, this volume spans topics from religion and politics to food, fashion, and family memory.
History On Your Doorstep is an annual free publication, researched and written by historians, featuring stories of Dublin’s history. The Dublin City Council’s Historians in Residence programme is created by Dublin City Libraries, and is delivered in partnership with Dublin City Council Culture Company.