The history of Dublin, Ireland, in books and pictures

History By Area Search the list of areas to find what you’re looking for. Maps of Dublin Links to maps of the city and county History and Antiquities of Dublin. The first major history of the city. (1766) Neighbourhood of Dublin. Classic volume covering the outer suburbs in 43 chapters (Third and enlarged edition, 1920). A History of the County Dublin. The ultimate reference book on suburban Dublin in six volumes. (pub. 1902-1920) Dublin Street Names: Dated and Explained By C. T. M’Cready (1982)) Dublin: A Historical and Topographical Account. Central Dublin in detail. (pub. 1907) The Story of Dublin Fine introduction to the centre of Dublin by D. A. Chart. (pub. 1907) North Dublin The north city and suburbs by Dillon Cosgrove. (pub. 1909) Memorable Dublin Houses Where the rich and famous lived in old Dublin. By Wilmot Harrison. (pub. 1890) The History of Tallaght By William Domville Handcock M.A. (1899) Recollections of Lord Cloncurry Ireland before and after the Union. Buck Whaley’s Memoirs. Buck’s account of his life, gambling losses and travels (1797). First published in 1906 . Personal Sketches by Sir Jonah Barrington. The old rogue, in exile in France, looks back on a busy  life. (1827) Life In Old Dublin Quirky account by James Collins of life in the Cook Street area. (1913) An Historical Guide to Dublin A detailed guide for tourists. Published in 1825. Picturesque Dublin Old and New A heady mix of history and gossip by Frances Gerard. (pub. 1898) The Hill of Howth Trams Jim Kilroy’s stories and illustrations. Sir Charles Cameron Remembers Anecdotes and memories of a Freeman of Dublin. (1913) The Sham Squire and the Informers of 1798 Lord Edward’s Revolt, patriots and traitors. Last updated: 09 July 2001

This Is A Test Page - Ignore It.

In 1979, just starting out in the working world, I was involved in a series of 15-minute radio programmes on the life and memories of Noel Purcell, Dubliner and actor, for the pirate radio station Alternative Radio Dublin (better known to listeners and staff as A.R.D.). Unusually, it was decided to pay for studio time and, as a direct result, the broadcast quality was good. There were eight programmes in all, each containing some of Noel Purcell’s memories of life in Dublin, interspersed with some traditional Dublin songs.

Even in the last years of his life Noel Purcell was a giant of a man, but he wasn’t physically capable of recording the series at the same frantic pace as us youngsters, so the recordings took place over a few days.

As I recall he was more interested in his life in Dublin than as a movie star. His early work as a carpenter cost him the tip of one finger when he was making cigarette vending machines. That, and the various memories of his “auld pal” Hector Grey.

While writing this I came across an old copy of the ARD 257 Souvenir Special from January 1980 and was surprised - I have no recollection of writing it - to find, on the back page, an article which I had written at the time about the recordings. The following excerpt gives a flavour:-

“Once we got into the recording studio it was clear that the best laid plans were going astray. Noel wasn’t going to be held down to a prepared script and Dave C (the interviewer) was more than willing to drop the sheets on the floor. It became a long conversation between the two, firm friends by “Davey”, as Noel called him, had a hard time keeping a straight face as Noel recalled incidents from the past - the Bird Flanagan bringing a stiff into Neary’s, propping him up against the wall and calling for drinks on the house, slipping out before the barman presented the bill.

The first interviews were a success and we all breathed a sigh of relief. Soon it was time for the second interview - it happened on the same day that Lord Mountbatter was killed. Noel was visibly shocked; it came through on the tape. It showed a different Noel, a man who had seen it all happen before, World War I, the Rising, Black and Tans, Civil War, World War II. A peaceful man, Noel found it impossible to condone violence, no matter what motives lay behind it.

The second and final set of interviews, brining Noel more or less up to date, were even better than the first. When it came to cutting the tapes for the programmes, we would often listen over and over again to Noel’s stories. He could capture the spirit of a city that is gone, the ghosts of the past came to life again.

But, as Noel remarked when we asked him what he thought of the destruction of the Inner City. “I’ve seen hard times in the past, things have always been changing, these are the Rare Auld Times.""

My particular memory of him is the afternoon a number of those involved in the programme brought him for lunch,

The hired limo rolled gently up outside the front of the Gresham Hotel. Noel took his time getting out of the car and as he became visible to the passers-by they slowed, then stopped, forming a mini guard of honour as he moved towards the hotel entrance.

The hotel, alerted by the porter, swung swiftly into action and, by the time he reached the door, the hotel manager and other staff were waiting to greet him. There was genuine affection in the welcome - “Long time no see, Mr. Purcell”. An enjoyable time was had by all - basking in the shadow of “Mr. Dublin.”

The memories of that day came flooding back recently when I unearthed this photograph of Noel Purcell while clearing out some old filing cabinets.

As for the broadcasts, I managed to get an original copy of just one. The transmitter was badly shielded so interference made in-house recording almost impossible. I still have it and someday I hope to make it available on this site.

Noel was born on December 23, 1900 - thus explaining the name - received the Freedom of the City of Dublin on June 28, 1984, and died on March 3, 1985.

A month or so ago RTE (Ireland’s national television station) broadcast a special programme on Noel Purcell’s life. It included some very poignant material, particularly one of his last public performances - he led the crowd in a rendition of “Dublin Can Be Heaven.” which was very much his signature tune in his own city.

A few weeks later Anna Livia FM (a local Dublin station) re-broadcast Noel reciting a moving version of “Dublin in the Rare Auld Times.”

The link below provides a list of his movie appearances.

http://us.imdb.com/Name?Purcell,+Noel

[Ken Finlay, Jan 2001. Anyone else with memories of Noel Purcell? Let me know at kfinlay@indigo.ie ]