First Editions is a lovely little bookstore tucked into the quiet Pembroke Lane, the mews lane that connects Waterloo to Wellington Road, although sitting nearer the corner with Waterloo. Many years ago, this premises was “the Wee Stores” a grocer selling milk and newspapers, tea, tobacco and coal. As recounted by historian and writer Hugh… Read More First Editions: a treasure trove of books hidden in Ballsbridge.
Affectionately known as “the Dead Zoo” to Dubliners, the Natural History Museum on Merrion Square was founded in 1856. Mercifully almost untouched ever since, it’s now a bewitching Victorian legacy, regularly described as a “museum that belongs in a museum”. As a regular devotee and fan, I’m honoured to show you just a few of… Read More Animal Magic, and dramatic tableau, at the Natural History Museum of Dublin.
Reviewed over the next few weeks, books, for you or the History lover in your life. #1 Review #1: The First World War. by Hew Strachan: It will not have escaped your notice in these centenary years of 1914-18, that WWI books are everywhere. Many are readable and interesting, some are excellent. Even in that… Read More The First World War: Hew Strachan.
the ancient city of Kilkenny lies on the west bank of the River Nore as it runs North to South. The southern end of the town is dominated by the huge Butler castle, while to the north, just outside the lines of the old city wall, towers St Canice’s Cathedral. The geography is clear from… Read More St Canice’s Cathedral of Kilkenny
When the weather is fine and bright as it was today, (after some truly but unusually Biblical scale rainfall yesterday) there are few greater pleasures in life than a long rambling walk through the historic parts of old Dublin city. This piece of modern street art, at the start of my epic circumnavigation, summed up… Read More a Dublin city walk along Thomas St, via St Catherines & James Gate, to Dean Swift’s St Patricks Hosptital
Saturday 22nd November, early afternoon, (meeting 12.30pm) a unique history and architecture walk, starting City Hall (former Royal Exchange) going westward along the areas of Lord Edward Street; Corn-market, Christ Church Place and High Street; Thomas Street; James Street, with occasional diversions into adjoining historic areas in the Liberties, including the sites of St Catherine’s… Read More Tour through Liberties to Dean Swift’s historic St Patricks Mental Hospital | April/May date tba.
I’d long wanted to explore the famous historic heritage here and was thrilled to explore and finally learn a bit more about Ireland’s best preserved medieval city. Here are some pictures. Top, above: the front exterior of the glorious Rothe House, a perfect and rare example of an early 17th Century merchants House (built 1594-1610)… Read More Postcards from Kilkenny, a medieval wonderland.
I published a post a year or so back with this same title, which people seemed to enjoy. So here we go again. Below is mostly images, seen over the last few weeks, right up to yesterday afternoon. A little text, where context is required, and/or where there’s an opportunity for you to partake yourself. … Read More The Things I see… (# 2)
The weekend of 17th-19th Oct saw the 2014 installment of Open House Dublin (OHD), a glorious, weekend-long annual celebration of architecture in the capital, and across the wider Dublin area, now in its 9th year. It’s always a privilege to visit great architecture and great buildings, particularly those not usually open to the public. But even… Read More new Dun Laoghaire library (DRL Lexicon) @ OHD.
Recently we looked at John Speed’s 1610 map of Dublin, a crucial source for historians. This week we look at a map by a historian. It’s Leonard Strangeway’s 1904 The Walls of Dublin. In other words, depicting the medieval city and walls, but made much later. Here it is. It’s worth pointing out that unlike… Read More Dublin historic Maps (2), medieval survivors | city movers | explosive history.
Arran Q Henderson 