#DublinHistory

by John Keane on Jan 12th, 2026 - 127 Views

Dublin’s Hell Quarter Not many people know that there was once an area of Dublin in the vicinity of Christchurch Cathedral which was known as ‘Hell’. This name was justified because of the sordidness and violence with which the area became synonymous during the 18th century. The area acquired... 

by Jack Croome on Dec 18th, 2024 - 2799 Views

The Rise fall and Legacy of Dublin’s old Tram Network Dublin’s tram network was once a defining feature of the city, an ambitious public transportation system that connected neighbourhoods, spurred suburban growth, and became an integral part of daily life. Though dismantled in the mid-20th century,... 

by Jack Croome on Dec 5th, 2024 - 2548 Views

The History and Legacy of Brickwork in Dublin Bricks have been at the heart of construction for millennia. Their use can be traced back to around 7000 BC, with early examples discovered in areas such as southern Turkey and the ancient city of Jericho. These early bricks were made of sun-dried mud, a... 

by Jack Croome on Nov 19th, 2024 - 2025 Views

The Dublin Artisan Dwelling Company (DADC) By the early 20th century, Dublin endured some of the harshest urban housing conditions across the United Kingdom. Slums spread throughout the city, not confined to hidden back streets but taking over once-grand Georgian homes in areas that had previously been... 

by Patrick Ryan on Apr 9th, 2024 - 1490 Views

Handel’s Messiah. A Dublin History – Patrick Ryan looks at the history of Handel’s Messiah, one of Dublin’s most famous pieces of music. When it comes to a list of the great musical performances in Dublin some acts are nailed-on certainties. U2, Thin Lizzy, Sinead O’Connor,... 

by John Keane on Jan 25th, 2024 - 1725 Views

Dan Donnelly: Ireland’s First Sports Celebrity – John tells us about one of Dublin’s most famous boxers Dan Donnelly was born in March 1788 in Townsend Street Dublin and was the ninth child and eldest surviving son from a family of 17 children. His father was a carpenter and Donnelly... 

by Jack Croome on Jan 8th, 2024 - 3982 Views

Dublin’s Little Italy By Jack Gorman Croome Long before Mick Wallace redeveloped Bloom Lane into the unofficially named “Italian Quarter”, Dublin already has it’s own little Italy as it was known. Dublin’s Italian community lived in the area   located between Ship Street, Chancery Lane... 

by John Keane on Dec 14th, 2023 - 2527 Views

  The Darker Side of Bully’s Acre: Grave Robbers and Riotous Behaviour Grave robbers or ‘sack em up’ men. by John Keane Graverobbers, also known as bodysnatchers ‘sack-em-up’ men or ‘resurrectionists’ were busiest in Ireland from the late 17th century to 1832, when the Anatomy Act... 

by John Keane on Nov 23rd, 2023 - 1796 Views

Bully’s Acre Kilmainham by John Keane – A fascinating history from our newest addition to the FRG Journalist team This cemetery lies within the grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, at the Richmond Gate end of the Royal Hospital directly opposite the historic Kilmainham Gaol. Kilmainham... 

by Craig O'Reilly on Sep 13th, 2023 - 2290 Views

Dublin Gangs From the Liberties Back in the Ye Old Times – Craig O Reilly delves into the history of the gangs of Dublin 18th century Dublin was a city exploding in population. It had a Protestant majority, but Catholics were coming to Dublin to seek work. The city was expanding and changing rapidly,... 

by Craig O'Reilly on Jul 12th, 2023 - 1602 Views

Skeletons found at historical Site of St Mary’s Abbey on Capel Street Street Almost a hundred skeletal remains dating back to ancient medieval times have been uncovered during the architectural phase for a new hotel on Capel Street in Dublin City Centre. The site was purchased by Beannchor hospitality... 

by Craig O'Reilly on Jun 13th, 2023 - 2634 Views

St Catherine’s A History – Craig O’ Reilly delves into the history to St Catherine’s, scene of Robert Emmet’s grizzly demise. St Catherines is a site in the liberties which is steeped in history. At times it was a centre of power in Dublin, while at other points in time... 

by Stephen Davis on Mar 6th, 2023 - 2353 Views

Time Please Ladies and Gentlemen – Another Dublin institution closes its doors for the last time, Stephen Davis takes a moment, to relate its history The Clock Pub on Thomas Street was more than just a place to have a drink. It was a cosy slice of old Dublin, a hub of live music and sports, and... 

by Craig O'Reilly on Jan 4th, 2023 - 1600 Views

Looking Back At Dublin Street Criers – In this article, Craig O Reilly discusses the history of Dublin’s famous street cryers If you were walking through Dublin in the run up to Christmas, you may have seen street vendors selling gifts. You might even have heard them before you had seen... 

by Craig O'Reilly on Oct 24th, 2022 - 2520 Views

Bridges of Dublin – In this series Craig O Reilly examines the history of some of Dublin’s most famous Liffey crossings O’ Donovan Rossa Bridge The O’ Donovan Rossa Bridge is a stone road bridge joining Winetavern Place to Chancery Place. It is not actually the first bridge built on... 

by Craig O'Reilly on Jul 4th, 2022 - 1995 Views

The Gunpowder Explosion of 1597 – Craig O Reilly recounts this explosive little known story of Dublin  On 11th March 1597, disaster struck the quays of Dublin when 140 barrels of gunpowder exploded bringing terror and destruction. The blast led to the death of about 1/10th of the population... 

by Shane Adlum on Oct 19th, 2020 - 3420 Views

Back to the Future: A look at Dublin Cinemas Part Two Back to the Future: A look at Dublin Cinemas Part Two – Shane Adlum presents part 2 of his fascinating look into the world of Dublin cinema! Savoy 16-19 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 The oldest operational cinema in Dublin. Perfectly... 

by Craig O'Reilly on Feb 19th, 2020 - 4851 Views

James Joyce, Lemon Soap and the Philosopher’s Stone: The Story of Sweny’s Pharmacy – In this article, our new journalist Craig O’ Reilly talks about a little historical gem, Sweny’s Pharmacy Had you passed Sweny’s pharmacy on Lombard street back in 2009, you might have been forgiven... 

by FRG.ie Admin on Sep 27th, 2019 - 3156 Views

Freemasons of Molesworth Street – In this article, Shane Adlum discusses the Freemasons building on Molesworth Street complete with Pictures from Stephen Davis Whilst nobody knows the true origin of the Freemasons, it is believed to have evolved from a guild of stonemasons dating back to the... 

by Sean Murphy on Jul 19th, 2019 - 6454 Views

The Story of St James’s Fair  – This highly researched article is on the subject of St James Fair, a fascinating read in the habits and rituals of our people in times past. Please take a look!   Sean J Murphy Throughout Europe the annual fair was a very important event in the calendar. The...