Dublin's Historic South

Season 2 continues and it's second episode focused on the area of Saggart! And returning to the show was the ever brilliant, Camilla Pedersen. To remind everyone, Camilla hails from Denmark but currently resides in Maynooth and her focus of study is on Viking period mythology and narrative tradition. An alumna of Maynooth University, her main research focus was on Early Irish narrative and literary tradition in comparison to Old Norse narrative tradition, and literary tropes of the supernatural, with special focus on shape-shifting. Her other areas of focus (which were put to good use in this epsiode) are Old Irish linguistics, and prehistoric and early medieval archaeology. You can read her work as she has been published on her topics, most recently in 2019 with Amsterdam University Press. 

As we headed to the west side of South Dublin we focused on Saggart. From being caught up in frequent attacks and rebellions to becoming a 'day-out' destination spot for Dubliners, Saggart's strategic position went from being a hindrance to a help. At this gateway to the south-west we explored the myriad of megalithic sites on its hills to how industry put it on the map - by providing the paper the Irish Republic Proclamation was printed on at Swiftbrook Paper Mills. Long gone now, we applauded the local residents for retaining it's history and ensuring that what is left of 'old' Saggart - very much stays there!

For the reading list or just to say hi :)

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Happy listening!

This month’s episode, kicking off Season 2,  focused on the area of Ballsbridge! And joining me was show regular; Evan McGuigan. To remind everyone, Evan is a colleague of mine hailing from Monaghan (so still remotely recording),  a fellow historian in whose expertise lies in 20th Irish history but he also has a keen interest in the history of the courts and law-makers in Ireland. In fact he curated a very well received exhibition in Dublin Castle on this topic back in 2019. Fortunately for us his background and interests in political history & current affairs was put to good use as we delved into to the other side on D4! 

From its humble beginnings as a marshy pitstop out of the city centre, the area grew into one of the wealthiest parts of not just the county, but the country. We explored a townland that, at one time, balanced large-scale industry next to leafy surburbia - while small pockets of it were filled by Ireland's rebels, artists & writers. From the RDS, to Raglan Road to the 'Embassy Belt' Ballsbridge's history is that it attracts not just people of high-status but also people of high volume. 

For the reading list or just to say hi :)

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @dublinshistoricsouth
Twitter: @DublinsHistoric
Instagram: @lfitzhistory

Happy listening, it's good to be back!

To mark the end of Dublin's Historic South's first season, please enjoy this little mini episode featuring tidbits from the episodes. These extras may not have made the final cut but they will tide you over until Season 2 kicks off in March 2021! Stay tuned and take care :)

@DublinsHistoric on Twitter
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For any questions and indeed the reading lists please email: [email protected] 

THE SEASON 1 FINALE!!! - Episode XII was recorded over Zoom to delve into the largest townland of South Dublin - Tallaght! (photo: southdublinlibraries.ie) From a prominent ecclesiastical centre to an exploding population, this episode explored how a townland can completely transform in the space of one lifetime. To wrap the end of 12 monthly episodes, it was an absolute pleasure to be joined by the brilliant Dr. Michael Keyes and we examined how Tallaght is laid out to explore it's long history, skirmishes and all...Michael studied history at Maynooth University and completed a PhD there in 2009. He went on to published a book on the political campaigns of Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell in 2011. Since then he has worked with South Dublin County Libraries, most recently as Local Studies Librarian based in The County Library in Tallaght, making him the ideal co-host for all things Dublin 24. From Dundrum to Tallaght Season 1 featured areas from all over the county south of the Liffey and will be back to continue its journey after a short break in March 2021!

Episode XI was recorded thanks to workplace guidelines, at a distance (sorry if it is a bit low!) all about the Dublin 2 and I, Laura Fitzachary had the pleasure of having the incomparable  actress Jennifer Laverty join me for a festive version of the show.   Jennifer is a colleague of mine who hails from Belfast where she studied English and Drama at Queens University. She has been a professional actress for almost 20 years training in the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin and Stella Adler in New York.  After appearing in numerous productions in Theatre, Film and Television both in the UK and Ireland you may recognise her from: Love/Hate, Ripper Street and the TV series Titanic- Blood and Steel. No stranger to stage or screen she was perfect for our Christmas Special! Straying a little from our usual format we only focused on parts of Dublin 2, examining the postal districts of Dublin a little closer. From theatre stages becoming nationalist training grounds to Christmas Lights sparking national outrage, December's episode took a festive look at the area's 'drama-tic' history as we treaded the boards of the history of south Dublin's inner city.

Episode X was recorded over Zencastr all about the Donnybrook (photo: rte.ie) and I, Laura Fitzachary welcomed back the ever insightful Evan McGuigan to the show.  Evan is also a historian working in a castle and there he recently curated the exhibition 'Delivering Justice' on the history of the courts in Ireland. With a background in 20th century political history, he has previously worked in various museums and libraries across Dublin city. However, Evan can also be found sifting through the shelves at Tower Records, as he is also a music snob.  Reverting back to our usual format  we delved into Donnybrook and it's long history as a major civil parish in Dublin. From renegade priests tacking couples together to the demise of the teenage disco, this episode takes the topic of social history on the nose by examining the history of socializing. With a particular focus on great work done on Donnybrook Fair, this month's show centres around the age old inner tug-of-war: revelry vs restraint... 

Episode IX is the Halloween Special recorded over Zoom all about the Dublin Mountains and I, Laura Fitzachary welcomed back the fabulous Camilla Pedersen to the show. Camilla hails from Denmark but currently resides in Maynooth and her focus of study is on Viking period mythology and narrative tradition. Her other areas of focus are Old Irish linguistics, and prehistoric and early medieval archaeology and she has been published on her topics, most recently in 2019 with Amsterdam University Press. Taking a break from the usual format this episode examines how local traditions, customs and lore echo across this landscape's summits. Across the peaks of the Dublin Mountains we examined prehistoric burial tradition and how it is interlaced with mythology and the otherworld at Giant's Grave and of course, the Hellfire Club. From the dark side of fairies to following the perambulations of the devil himself, this month's show reveals a darker side to South Dublin's history

Episode VIII is all about Clondalkin and I, Laura Fitzachary was delighted to welcome the return of Trisha Ryan. Trisha is an archaeologist and historian from Waterford based in Dublin, with a background in Irish archaeology and museum education and spends her days talking about everything from bronze age artefacts to Viking invasions. With a BA in Archaeology and History and a MA in Archaeology, she was the natural choice for this episode as it is our 'Viking Special'  We follow their activities in Ireland by focusing on the development (or survival) of the monastic site of St. Crónán Mochua. From Irish chieftains getting their own back to how the name Crónán is now synonymous with the use of the Irish language in Clondalkin today, this episode noted how aspects of early Medieval Ireland linger on the landscape!

Episode VII is all about Dún Laoghaire and I, Laura Fitzachary, welcomed the brilliant Anthony Kelly to the show this month. An artist based in Dublin, his practice involves sonic and visual approaches to making his work and this includes painting, drawing, sound recording, sculpture, sound installation, film/video, and improvised sound performance. Although diverse in construction, his work chiefly concentrates on the shifting and fragmentary nature of sensory experience. To explore this he uses the discarded or overlooked aspects of the world around us which he enlarges and amplifies to create his work. His creative work frequently involves collaboration and Anthony has received funding from the Arts Council of Ireland and Culture Ireland. His work has been exhibited widely in Ireland and abroad and one of his current ongoing projects includes A Sound Map of Dún Laoghaire, which he coordinates with David Stalling. It’s so impressive, it has formed the backbone of this entire episode! From dealing with the tumultuous waters of Ireland to the cultural significance of the Top Hat, this episode was formed around the Sound Map where we explore the sonic environment of this townland and record it’s rapid change through what we hear. Anthony very kindly let me use clips of some recordings which have been dotted throughout! You can listen to the full clips and other recordings at A Sound Map of Dún Laoghaire  & farpointrecordings.com

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Episode VI is all about Lucan and I, Laura Fitzachary welcomed the fabulous Camilla Pedersen to the show this month. Camilla hails from Denmark but currently resides in Maynooth and her focus of study is on Viking period mythology and narrative tradition. Her other areas of focus are Old Irish linguistics, and prehistoric and early medieval archaeology and she has been published on her topics, most recently in 2019 with Amsterdam University Press. She will also bring doughnuts to your house and generously impart her knowledge of past and present archaeological excavations in Ireland. We travelled from 19th century to the 1990's to reveal the finds of Pettycannon lands and Lucan reminding us and the listener of the importance of walking around the area you live in. This episode meandered through Lucan, from the origin of the placename to stressing the importance of community, local history and how we remember it.