Dublin City Libraries will be closed from Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May 2025 (inclusive). Our online services will continue as usual. We will reopen on Tuesday, 6 May.
The bombing of Dublin's North Strand by Nazi aircraft on 31st May 1941 was an assault on Ireland's neutrality. The casualties were many: 28 dead and 90 injured, with 300 houses damaged or destroyed. The North Strand Bombing and the Emergency in Ireland seminar featured talks about various aspects of the bombing including censorship, compensation, and the role of the emergency services. This full day seminar to commemorate the tragedy was held at Dublin City Library & Archive on Saturday 29th May 2010.
Friday 8th July, 1921 a train carrying British troops; members of the Gordon Highlanders; and military supplies; cars, donkeys, horses, as well as civilians was ambushed as it passed under the railway bridge near the small hamlet of Ballyfermot.
In the wake of the Norman Invasion of Ireland, Dublin was seized in 1170 by Richard de Clare, better known as Strongbow. Watch a recording of a seminar organised by Friends of Medieval Dublin and Dublin City Libraries to mark the 850th anniversary of Henry II’s grant of Dublin to Bristol, 1171–72.
The Truce was widely covered by reporting and analysis Irish, English and American newspapers, in the days following the announcement of the cessation of conflict in July 1921.
On 8th July, 1921 a train carrying troops, military supplies, horses and civilians was ambushed by members of the 4th Battalion Dublin Brigade IRA as it passed under the railway bridge near the then rural hamlet of Ballyfermot.
Dublin City Council Historian in Residence Dr. Mary Muldowney and historian Catherine Holmes tell the story of the bombing of North Strand on the night of 30/31 May 1941. This special event to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing was hosted by Charleville Mall Library on 31 May 2021.
