Posts by John Keane

by John Keane on Nov 6th, 2025 - 140 Views

The Royal Hospital Kilmainham The Royal Hospital has stood in Kilmainham since the 1680’s and is one of the most impressive buildings in Ireland.  It has a rich history and has stood witness to many of Ireland’s most impactful historic periods and events. Its history began in 1677 when James Butler,... 

by John Keane on Oct 9th, 2025 - 356 Views

Dublin Halloween Folk Tales- We thought we’d start getting you in the mood Legends of the Hellfire Club With stories of devil worship and black masses being told about the activities of the Hellfire Club on Montpellier Hill, it is not surprising that there are also many tales of supernatural events... 

by John Keane on Sep 30th, 2025 - 386 Views

Dublin’s Hellfire Club If you look south-westwards from Dublin city on a clear day, you will be able to see the silhouette of the Hellfire Club, which sits on top of Montpellier Hill in County Dublin. The site is a popular destination for walkers today and has spectacular views of Dublin Bay and Howth.... 

by John Keane on Apr 22nd, 2025 - 630 Views

Culture Date with D8, 2025 This year’s Culture Date with Dublin 8 takes place from Wednesday the 7th to Sunday the 11th of May. There are more than 100 events taking place in Dublin 8, which is arguably Ireland’s most historic urban quarter. Culture Date with Dublin 8’s program includes over 100... 

by John Keane on Apr 1st, 2025 - 1155 Views

Dublin’s Urban Foxes The Red Fox Foxes have been a common sight in Dublin city for many years. Although they are normally seen during the hours of darkness, they can even sometimes be seen during daylight hours. These foxes are the species known as the Red Fox, Vulpes Vulpes, a cousin to the grey... 

by John Keane on Mar 5th, 2025 - 1014 Views

Donore Avenue Youth and Community Centre News The Donore Avenue Youth and Community Centre, which was built on the site of the original dilapidated community centre and was completed in May 2004, was part of the wider Saint Theresa’s Garden’s regeneration project, which entailed the demolition of... 

by John Keane on Feb 24th, 2025 - 811 Views

Saint Patricks Day Festival in Dublin 8 The annual Saint Patrick’s Day Festival takes place in Dublin from the 15th to the 17th of March and there will be plenty of things to do in Dublin 8 as part of the national and worldwide celebrations which are connected to our national holiday. Here are a... 

by John Keane on Jan 20th, 2025 - 1278 Views

Saint Laurence O’Toole’s Heart Saint Laurence O’Toole is the patron saint of Dublin. He was archbishop of Dublin between 1162 and 1180 during the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland and his heart is today kept in Christ Church Cathedral encased in an iron heart shaped reliquary (a container for relics). Laurence... 

by John Keane on Dec 12th, 2024 - 1777 Views

Saint Stephen’s Day and the Wren Saint Stephen’s Day, the 26th of December, was once commonly known in Ireland as Lá an Dreoilín  which means ‘Day of the Wren’ or  ‘Wren’s Day’. On this day, all over Ireland, men, usually local bachelors, called ‘Wren Boys,’ paraded through the... 

by John Keane on Dec 6th, 2024 - 1024 Views

Smithfield Christmas Spectacular The annual Smithfield Christmas Spectacular at Smithfield Square, Dublin 7 opened on November 25th and will continue until Thursday the 2nd of January. It is open daily from 11am until 9pm but it will close at 4pm on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day... 

by John Keane on Nov 23rd, 2024 - 600 Views

Christmas Fairs in Dublin 8 in early December. There are two Christmas fairs in Dublin 8 in early December with which you can kick off your festive season. They both promise a lot in terms of gift-buying and dining opportunities and the Richmond Barracks Christmas Fair will also have a full program... 

by John Keane on Nov 12th, 2024 - 1141 Views

Dublin’s Pilgrim Route: Modern and Medieval Camino info office The Camino Information Office at Saint James’ Church has been open since 2015 and it issues and stamps Camino Pilgrim Passports, which cost five euro. Many Irish people start their journey on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route to... 

by John Keane on Oct 31st, 2024 - 1067 Views

Dublin 8’s Medieval Knights and Pilgrims Nowadays, people embarking on their journey from Dublin to northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, whether it is with an organized tour group or travelling there independently on foot or by bicycle, can start their journey from Dublin by... 

by John Keane on Sep 25th, 2024 - 1100 Views

Saint Michan’s Church Arson Update Dubliners were saddened to hear last June of an arson attack at Saint Michan’s Church in Church Street in  Dublin 7 in which five of the churches famous ‘mummies’ were badly damaged. The mummies had been on public view during guided tours of the Church’s... 

by John Keane on Sep 3rd, 2024 - 821 Views

Saint Audoen’s Church Culture Night Opening Saint Audoen’s Church on High Street in Dublin 8 will open its doors on September 20 from 18.00 to 21.30 as part of Dublin’s annual Culture Night.. Please remember that Saint Audoen’s is free to enter from Monday through Saturday 9.30 until 16.45 until... 

by John Keane on Jul 24th, 2024 - 1021 Views

The History of Tea Drinking Tea was first imported from China through the city of Canton by British and European merchants and became particularly popular in the 17th Century with the British upper-classes. It was drunk strong without milk or sugar from small cups by the aristocracy and was such an... 

by John Keane on Jun 24th, 2024 - 1885 Views

Bewley’s Oriental Café, Grafton Street. The History of the Bewley Company The Bewley’s Oriental Café story begins with the Bewley family, who originally hailed from Northern England, were Quakers and moved to Ireland in the 17th century where they soon established themselves in Dublin. In 1835,... 

by John Keane on May 21st, 2024 - 1857 Views

Fallon’s ‘The Capstan Bar’ Fallon’s ‘The Capstan’ Bar is located in Dublin’s Liberties area on the Coombe and is just beside the Hyatt Centric Hotel. It is only a short distance away from the historic Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. The pub’s original name of ‘The Capstan Bar’ comes... 

by John Keane on Mar 11th, 2024 - 2871 Views

Understanding Dan Donnelly’s rise to fame   The Role of the Hero in Irish Folk Tradition. One powerful reason that Dan Donnelly became the folk hero that inspired Ireland was that the Irish have a deep emotional attachment to lone heroes who defend their country and its honour in single combat.... 

by John Keane on Feb 28th, 2024 - 3355 Views

Ireland’s  Swans –  A graceful and myth rich creature, John Keane discusses the swan in Ireland Mute Swans on the Grand Canal A large flock of Mute swans, approximately 50, arrives at Inchicore in September and is present during the winter on the Grand Canal at Davitt Road. This flock consists...