Although provision had been made for the establishment of free public libraries in Ireland since 1855 it was not until 1883 that Dublin Corporation formed a Public Libraries Committee. In April, 1883, the committee recommended "that two libraries be established at an annual cost of 1,000 pounds; from the Borough Funds and that a Committee be appointed to establish and manage the libraries".
For over 180 years, Dublin zoo has been known to house a vast array of wildlife. In its early years, the zoo was home to 46 mammals and 72 birds all donated by the London Zoo. Dublin Zoo has been transformed over the years to what it is today: Ireland’s largest family attraction. The images from the Fáilte Ireland Photographic Collection show these treasured animals thriving and coexisting with each other between the spring of 1960 and the summer of 1961.
An American studying in Ireland has the opportunity for many adventures and cultural experiences. Although I never thought my experiences would enable me to search for a nameless face in an intriguing old photograph. But somehow it did and I’m certainly glad it did.As a student at Trinity College pursuing my Master’s in Public History and Cultural Heritage, I decided to take on my internship at the Dublin City Library and Archive (DCLA); I knew I wanted to work with people and photographs and I felt this was the place to do it.As I searched through the countless photographs at DCLA, I sought to discover a face with a story, even though that story was at the time unknown to me.Towards the end of my search of the photographic collection, I saw an attractive young face with a candid expression looking up at me. I was immediately drawn to the photo and knew it had the potential to serve me well with my endeavour.Without a name or much information to work with I, with the help of DCLA staff, researched the photo and mainly through social media, found the man I had been searching for - Mark Leddy, a Dubliner born and raised.As soon as I contacted Mark (who was very open towards my project), I learned that he was a man with a particular sarcastic Irish style who challenged me to develop complementary questions to suit his unique persona.Above: Mark Leddy by the 8th Lock next to Ballyfermot in the late 1980s. (click to view larger image)I had the privilege to interview Mark in order to gain insight during the time in which the photo was taken to today and how he and the city have changed.The photograph was taken when Mark was 13 or 14 years old, in the late 1980s by the 8th Lock on the Grand Canal next to Ballyfermot. Highly interested in the arts at a young age, he presumes he was writing a poem when the photo was taken.“At the time I wanted to be seen as an artist,” he explains. He also recalls he was listening to The Doors with the headphones around his neck as he “wanted to be Jim Morrison.”During this time Mark always had his head in the clouds. “When I grew up I wanted to live inside Back to the Future. That was my projected future; that’s what I wanted out of life, fantasy,” Mark recalls.As we chatted, it became clear that the arts played a major role in Mark’s upbringing and thus, in how he looks upon Ireland – both in the past and nowadays.During the interview, he even went on to recite verses from W.B. Yeats’ September 1913. Mark believes “The old romantic Ireland we thought existed is gone” and that “Ireland has become a souvenir to the rest of the world.”He recognises that the city has changed a great deal, like every place it has its challenges but reveals that “it’s a beautiful place with some beautiful people.”Growing up Mark believed the world loved the Irish and that “wherever we go we’re welcomed.”Today when he’s with people from abroad, they typically say they love the Irish. Speaking about Dublin in particular, he insists “people have some romantic view of the city.” And if they have an Irish heritage, they are going to see it a bit more romantically than it actually is.Above: Mark Leddy by the 8th Lock next to Ballyfermot in 2015. (click to view larger image)Mark is pensive as he reflects upon Dublin, “It’s as many splendored as the streets.”“People come to the city, they walk up ten streets, they visit nine pubs and they have great fun. And then they somehow have a highly detailed view of the city. I don’t even have it and I’ve been living here all my life.”Yet, Dublin is home for Mark, it’s familiar; “The more you walk the same path the more you know the path.”It’s his hometown and he will live and probably die here. Although, the ideal home for Mark would be in a remote cabin, “maybe a little babbling brook to get the water from in the morning. Just get away from everyone. I’d love to be a mountain man,” he says.To get away from the bustling city, Mark enjoys spending time along the canal; he walks the same paths as where the photo was taken over thirty years ago.“Nowadays the place that gets the most out of me is the canal.” He walks his dog in the area every day for three to four hours. He also keeps himself busy by doing a variety of activities such as reading, listening to music, and watching movies. “I keep myself interested in things; I’m rarely bored.”Mark is also an avid photographer. About a year ago, a friend introduced him to long exposure photographs at night. He took one photo and was “amazed and then just hooked.”Then in the following months he wandered the city every night at two in the morning to capture the perfect image.Soon after, he discovered photographing people. “That’s tough but when it works they’re great photos. And my trick is not to pose them; I don’t like posed images. And you can pose them without posing, you can do that if you’re clever enough. For me the photograph is a crayon that does what you want,” he quips.With Dublin’s rich diversity of people and culture, it’s an excellent place to have the hobby of photography. There are “characters that will keep you entertained all day. What else are you going to do all day? There are some very funny (humorous) people in Dublin.”Dublin will continue to stand witness to Mark Leddy’s life, just as Mark Leddy will continue his observations and impressions of the city. The two will interact and influence each other just as they always have and ultimately, Mark Leddy’s path will continue to be the evolving face of a Dubliner.About our Guest Blogger, Emily CooksonEmily is a student at Trinity College Dublin pursuing her Master’s degree in Public History and Cultural Heritage. Emily worked on a project designed to bring both the past and present into focus, revitalizing photographs of the past and placing them into terms of modernity. Emily put out a call in February for information about a number of individuals featured in photographs from the past, in order to learn more about their lives, their personal history and memory, and the circumstances of when the photographs were taken. This is one such story to emerge from that call.
We thought this scan from last Saturday when members of the public came along to the Mansion House to share their memories of said beautiful building particularly interesting. Might you agree?The photo (see below) shows the winner of the 1977 Men's World dancing championship, Jimmy Johnston from Dundalk, centre, together with the runner-up and third placed. . The event of course took place in the Round Room of the Mansion House. Many thanks to Jimmy for permissions to use the photo.Note the runner-up, one Mike Flatley from Chicago. I wonder... ?Click the image below to view larger version.Share Your MemoriesCelebrating Bealtaine and 300 years as the official Mayoral residence, The Mansion House and Dublin City Public Libraries invite you to share your memory with us on Wednesday 27th May. You can share these memories and even to bring along old photographs you have of the Mansion House. You can also come along and soak up the atmosphere of this splendid residence of Dublin’s first citizen by going on a tour of the magnificent building.What is your favourite memory of the Mansion House? Have you been to a concert, a craft fair, a reception or a ball?You may have visited the live animal crib with your children, or witnessed a Freedom of the City conferral ceremony on the Forecourt.Whatever your memory, please join us to share your photos and stories as part of The Mansion House programme to celebrate 300 years as the official Mayoral residence and a cornerstone in Dublin city. The Library Learning Bus will be at the Mansion House Forecourt, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Wednesday 27th May. A guided tour will take place at 11am (places are limited - advance booking essential). The house will be open from 12pm to 4pm for walk-through viewings.For further information and to book a place on the tour, please contact the Mansion House. T. 222 6200. E. [email protected]
Mass unemployment and continuous emigration. On-going tragedy in Northern Ireland. Planning scandals. Hurricane Charlie, dreadful summers, pea-souper smogs. Urban decay and phone queues. Pirate radio stations, disco balls and leg-warmers. Eurovision highs and lows. Zig and Zag. The 1980s have a lot to answer for. Yet, for many people, these years were, to slightly misquote one of the hits of the decade, "the time of their lives." So this image gallery is also a celebration of the '80s, its highs as well as its lows.
Monuments and statues are a significant feature of the cityscape of Dublin; some make an appearance for a short period of time, while others become more permanent fixtures. This collection of images represents some of those statues that have spent time in the capital city, as well as some that are soon to move. Certain monuments that no longer adorn the streets and parks of Dublin reflect the nation’s indefatigable struggle to regain independence, such as those that were notably connected to the British Monarchy, which unfortunately included the only three equestrian statues in Ireland.
Breathing Spaces - Dublin's Parks and Green Places
Parks are our breathing spaces in the city and this gallery recognises the beautiful green spaces around Dublin. Although it does not include every park and green space in Dublin, we hope it will provide an introduction to those places were Dubliners can take a moment to enjoy nature and to relax.
This gallery is a tribute to an animal which has been a friend to Dubliners through the centuries. Whether as a working horse, a military high-stepper, a means of transport or simply a beloved companion, these images show the important role Dublin horses played in daily life throughout the last century, from those pulling the Lord Mayor’s Coach to those feeding from an old car in Labre Park.
Alive Alive O! Dublin's Markets and Street Sellers
Crying cockles and mussels! Alive Alive O! Cabbages on Moore Street, lilies on Grafton Street, Christmas decorations on Thomas Street. The photographs here tell the story of the changes to the markets during the late 20th and early 21st century - the demise of the Iveagh clothes market, the re-invention of the Smithfield Horse Fair and the huge changes undergone by the street traders in Moore Street during the redevelopment of the area from the 1970s onwards.
Monday, 26th August, marked the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the strike in Dublin of 700 tramway-men belonging to James Larkin’s Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union (IT&GWU), a strike that developed into a general lockout of union members.