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Magnetic Observatory/O’Kane Film Centre, UCD – While this building is over 180 years old, it has only occupied this site in UCD for the last 40 odd years. Built in 1837 in the form of a classical Grecian Doric temple, it was originally situated in the Provost’s Garden of...~1 
Trinity College. Due to the nature of the magnetic research that was to take place within, all the materials used in its construction had to be devoid of magnetic influence, so copper, brass & gun-metal were substituted for iron. Humphrey Lloyd, Rev. Prof. of Natural &...~2
Experimental Philosophy, & Provost of Trinity itself from 1867–1881 carried out his research on the earth's magnetic field here. His work with Edward Sabine was the 1st to confirm the link between solar activity & magnetic disturbances here on Earth. Lloyd had a remarkable...~3
Casino at Marino – the casino (from the Italian for “Little House”) is all that remains of James Caulfeilds (1st Lord Charlemont) 18th Century demesne at Marino. Completed in 1775, its neo-classical design is a masterpiece of deception! Designed by William Chambers, it takes...~1
the form of a Greek Cross, appearing as a single roomed building. However, it consists of 16(!) rooms across 3 floors. The Roman funerary urns at the top are actually chimneys, 4 of the columns are rainwater drains & the door at the front – only 2 panels are the actual door. ~2
Inside, the illusions continue. The vestibule has a semi-circular apse which gives a false sense of height, the zodiac room is accessed through a secret door in the wall of the Blue Room. I wont go into too much detail, but suffice it to say, the interior is as grandiose as...~3
Marino crescent, Marino - A long thread, this one, but worth it. Built in 1792 by Charlie Ffolliott, basically as a giant “f**k you”, resulting in the row of houses to be called ‘Spite Row’ or ‘Spite Crescent’. The reason for this? One James Caulfield, The Earl of Charlemont...~1
the owner of Marino house (& the Casino in Marino), who really liked his views! Ill do a piece on the Casino at a later date, but suffice it to say, Caulfield had built the Casino so he could view out across his magnificent gardens & Dublin bay. He even had tunnels built so...~2
his servants could bring the refreshments from his Marino House without disturbing his view.
So when developer Charlie Ffolliott announced plans to build homes on Caulfield's sea view, the Earl did everything in his power to stop him - including jacking up the price on the...~3
So when developer Charlie Ffolliott announced plans to build homes on Caulfield's sea view, the Earl did everything in his power to stop him - including jacking up the price on the...~3
"Suicide Plot", Clonliffe Rd/Ballybough Rd - this unassuming corner, with benches & pleasant greenery, belies it dark history. For in this area in the 18th/19th century, victims of suicide where buried at this spot, in gruesome manner. As suicide was then judged a crime, the...~1
remains (in most cases) would be buried in unconsecrated ground, fixed via stakes, so their unhappy spirit would not roam the locale. The remains of criminals, highwaymen & Cholera victims are also said to be interred here. Bram Stoker, who lived in the locale..~2
as a child, heavily drew on these tales for his Dracula novel.
The corner was given a makeover by the Ballybough local residents, who do stellar work in the community.
~3
The corner was given a makeover by the Ballybough local residents, who do stellar work in the community.
~3
Éire Go Bragh Statue, College Green –This easily overlooked statue is one of my favourites in Dublin, not only for its aesthetics, but for the spirit in which it was erected. The statue is the work of Edmund Sharp & Joseph Pearse, father of Patrick & William Pearse, both of..~1
whom were executed for their role in the 1916 Rising. Erected in 1889, the sculpture depicts Éireann, sitting holding a harp, with an Irish wolfhound to her right & items of trade, symbolising commerce to her left.
While being an exquisite example of Celtic Revival art, its..~2
While being an exquisite example of Celtic Revival art, its..~2
position in the city was also a statement of intent. Opposite the statue sits what once was the Irish Parliament. After the 1801 Act of Union which abolished Irish Parliament, the building was purchased & used by Bank of Ireland. Irelands subservience to the British Crown was..~3
St. Patricks Well, Nassau St – This is one of those features of Dublin that are generally unknown to a lot of people, despite the clues pointing to its existence. If you check out the street signs on Nassau St, some have a rather direct Irish Translation, while others retain...~1
the original street name – "Sráid Thobar Phádraig", the Street of Saint Patrick’s Well. The entrance to the well itself can be seen at the Nassau St side to Trinity College. There is even a well-like boundary around a tree, sitting above the well location. ~2
This St Patricks well (there are 6 in the city) was first mentioned in the 12th Century & it is believed to be where Saint Patrick baptized his first converts. Amazingly, the roots of the modern St Particks day parade are believed to originate from this spot, where crowds of..~3
Murdering Lane, Kilmainham – Heading from Kilmainham into The Liberties, one will come across a reminder of Dublins more sinister past. This unremarkable lane which, while not looking like much, has an interesting past. Known as Murd´ring Lane in 1603, & Murdering Lane in 1756 ~1
it had an adjacent street called "Cut Throat Lane" (known as such since 1488. Thankfully its no longer there). Both names reflected the violent nature of the area. In 1876, Murdering Lane was changed to Cromwell’s Quarters in 1876. Same difference you might say, but the new...~2
name is after the son of the infamous Oliver. Henry Cromwell was Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1657. Its previous name has been immortalised with a fine whiskey from the Dublins Whiskey Distillery.
The laneway is also known as the 40 steps by locals, not to be confused with.. ~3
The laneway is also known as the 40 steps by locals, not to be confused with.. ~3
The Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge - Dedicated to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who gave their lives during WW1. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who loved symbolism! 16 Lime trees line the pathway representing Generals & the 16th Irish (1/7)
Division. Beside these, planted in formation, are Cherry trees to represent soldiers. When in bloom (which will be in a few weeks’ time) they scatter petals across the lawn representing fallen men & the blood they spilled. Fountains on either side of the war stone represent (2/7)
candles with water as melting wax. The War Stone resembles an alter/tomb, inscribed with ‘Their Name Liveth For Evermore’ - a biblical phrase chosen by Rudyard Kipling. The stone cross was bombed twice by the IRA in 1956 & 58. Either side of the central lawn are sunken rose (3/7)
Marino crescent, Marino - Another long thread, but worth it. Built in 1792 by Charlie Ffolliott, basically as a giant “f**k you”, resulting in the row of houses to be called ‘Spite Row’ or ‘Spite Crescent’. The reason for this? One James Caulfield, The Earl of Charlemont...(1/12)
the owner of the Casino in Marino, who really liked his views! Ill do a piece on the Casino at a later date, but suffice it to say, Caulfield had built the Casino so he could view out across his magnificent gardens & Dublin bay. He even had tunnels built so his servants...(2/12)
could bring the refreshments from his Marino House without disturbing his view.
So when developer Charlie Ffolliott announced plans to build homes on Caulfield's sea view, the Earl did everything in his power to stop him - including jacking up the price on the tolls on...(3/12)
So when developer Charlie Ffolliott announced plans to build homes on Caulfield's sea view, the Earl did everything in his power to stop him - including jacking up the price on the tolls on...(3/12)
Ballybough Jewish Cemetery, Fairview – A long thread, but worth it - this is a fascinating place. The cemetery is Irelands oldest Jewish cemetery, founded in 1718. The mortuary chapel at the front has one of the more peculiar sights found in Dublin, stating it was built... (1/8)
in 5618! This is according to the Hebrew calendar & equates to 1857 in the Gregorian calendar. It is currently owned by Dublin City Council, who plan to refurbish & reopen it to the public. The last burial to take place here was in 1958 & officially closed in 1978. There... (2/8)
are some fascinating stories to be found here. The largest tomb belongs to Lewis Wormser Harris, who was elected lord mayor of Dublin. He would have been the city’s first Jewish mayor but died the day before he was due to take office in 1876. (3/8)
Croppies Acre, Arran Quay – This park contains a memorial to the dead of the 1798 Rebellion & is thought to have been used as a mass grave for Irish rebel casualties (the rebels were called Croppies due to their short-cropped hair). While no evidence of human remains has been...
found on the site, the Liffey was realigned through the area, which may have removed all trace of the bodies. The Memorial Park was designed and laid out in 1998. However, I now look upon this park differently ever since I listened to the fantastic @irishhistory podcast on the..
famine. Episode XIII tells how in 1847 the famed French chef Alexis Soyer advertised his new soup, which he claimed was cheaper but more nutritious, for the starving populace. This took place at Croppies Acre, in a grotesque spectacle that is hard to believe. Here, the elite of..
