Dublin's Historic South Laura Fitzachary

Our Season 2 finale!!! This month we are joined by show regular, Evan McGuigan. Evan is a colleague of mine hailing from Monaghan a fellow historian in whose expertise lies in 20th Irish history but he also has a keen interest in the history of the courts and law-makers in Ireland. In fact he curated a very well received exhibition on this topic back in 2019. Fortunately for us his background and interests in political history & current affairs will be put to good use as we delve into the history of Milltown and a river that has been in nearly every episode of Dublin’s Historic South - the Dodder

The Dodder played a vital role in the development of South Dublin and in the town of mills this couldn't be any more true. From laundries to mysterious rhinos this episode meandered through the history of Milltown - touching upon housing, industry, sport & politics and of course the ever present river. A fitting end to the season... 
Facebook: @dublinshistoricsouth
Twitter: @DublinsHistoric
Instagram: @lfitzhistory

For sources & reading list: 
Email: dublinshistoricsouth@outlook.com

Our  archaeology special! This month I was joined by show returnee, Camilla Pedersen. Camilla hails from Denmark but currently resides in Maynooth, her focus of study is on Viking period mythology and narrative tradition. An alumna of Maynooth University her  main research focus was on Early Irish narrative and literary tradition in comparison to Old Norse narrative tradition, and literary tropes of the supernatural, with special focus on shape-shifting. Her other areas of focus (which were put to good use)  are Old Irish linguistics, and prehistoric and early medieval archaeology. You can read her work as she has been published on her topics, most recently in 2019 with Amsterdam University Press. 

From Iron Age homesteads to castles buried under the M50, what is found below Cabinteely was the focus for this month's show. Revealing forgotten mass graves, possible Viking hoards and how development hinders megalithic access - we dug deep on the long, long history of Cabinteely, Loughlinstown & Carrickmines. Trowels at the ready, we honed in on where development clashes with heritage in this triangle between the mountains and the sea and how it revealed prehistoric, Viking & medieval history in well...spades...

Facebook: @dublinshistoricsouth
Twitter: @DublinsHistoric
Instagram: @lfitzhistory

For sources & reading list: 
Email: dublinshistoricsouth@outlook.com

This month we delved into the history of a relatively new townland - Rathgar!
(Pic: image.ie)

This month saw the return of the ever brilliant, Trisha Ryan. A former colleague of mine and fellow historian, Trisha hails from Waterford. As both an archaeologist and historian, she is now based in Dublin with a background in Irish archaeology and museum education. She spends her days talking about everything from bronze age artefacts to Viking invasions and having been published in the field of education, who better to reveal what’s below the surface of this month’s episode all about Rathgar (& it's neighbouring Terenure)

From humble farmland beginnings and a placename that means 'rough ringfort', as the centuries progressed Rathgar is rough no more. Coming into its own in the 19th century we revealed everything from gardening schools to forgotten castles...

Facebook: @dublinshistoricsouth
Twitter: @DublinsHistoric
Instagram: @lfitzhistory

For sources & reading list: 
Email: dublinshistoricsouth@outlook.com

This month I was joined by not one but three members of the Kilmacud Stillorgan Local History Society as we focused on an area they know so well - Stillorgan!

Joining me this month was:

Bryan MacMahon, who is originally from Kerry and spent 30 years as a teacher in Cabinteely Community School. His book ‘Faith and Fury: the Evangelical Campaign in Dingle and West Kerry, 1825-45’ was recently published by Eastwood Books and he is a regular contributor to History Ireland and he has published articles on aspects of 19th century Kilmacud and Stillorgan.
Peter Sobolewski, who is originally from Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo and has taught in London, North Augusta and finally Coolmine Community School in Blanchardstown. His publications include: 'The Blanchardstown Chronicle,' 'Kiltimagh, Our Life & Times,' 'A History of Kilmacud Crokes' & 'The History of the Parish of Balally.' On top of that he is also one of the founders of the Kilmacud Stillorgan Local History Society.
&
Anne O’Connor, who has lived in Stillorgan for the past 45 years - having moved all the way from Dundrum. She has been a committee member of KSLHS since its foundation in 2001 and completed the Local History and the Oral History Certificate courses in Dublin City Library. With a focus on 19th century Stillorgan, she is also involved in organising exhibitions and historical outings for the society and in the production of the annual journal Obelisk 
From land-hungry families to eccentric archbishops this episode centred around those who owned and lived at Stillorgan…this episode was peppered with their residencies, achievements and why it wasn’t a good idea to get on the wrong side of Stillorgan’s residents! Altered by continuous renovation, Anne, Peter & Bryan revealed a Stillorgan we can’t see anymore...
You can get more information about Obelisk, the society's latest publications (on St. Laurence's Boys School) and indeed the society itself at: 
http://www.kilmacudstillorganhistory.ie/
 
(Title photo for this episode courtesy of kilmacudstillorganhistory.ie)
Facebook: @dublinshistoricsouth
Twitter: @DublinsHistoric
Instagram: @lfitzhistory

For sources & reading list: 
Email: dublinshistoricsouth@outlook.com

This month we barreled through the history of one of Dublin's most famous coastal towns - Dalkey!

Joining me this month was show regular and the ever brilliant Evan McGuigan. Evan is a historian working in a castle and there he has recently curated the exhibition 'Delivering Justice' on the history of the courts in Ireland. With a background in 20th century political history, he has previously worked in various museums and libraries across Dublin city. With an added interest in significant political figures throughout the centuries he was perfect for delving into a town known for harbouring big names...

Did you know that Dalkey's affluent repuatation dates as far back as the 14th century?
From prehistoric stone-axe production to trailblazing advances in transport, Dalkey was put on the map long before the superstars moved in.

Facebook: @dublinshistoricsouth
Twitter: @DublinsHistoric
Instagram: @lfitzhistory

For sources & reading list: 
Email: dublinshistoricsouth@outlook.com

This month we gave this episode a title: 'If You Seek History' - and there was plenty to be found once we went exploring throughout Shankill & Rathmichael

Joining me this month was the formidable Dr. Sylvie Kleinman. With a background in the socio-political context of the late 18th and early 19th century, she has played a major role in highlighting the influence of the French on the likes of Wolfe Tone & Robert Emmet. She has previously worked for the Dictionary of Irish Biography and with an interest in military history - there was no way we could fit it all into one hour! So we didn't, enjoy the extra content!!  A long time resident of Shankill, Sylvie helped me delve into the fascinating history of this unassuming village

From forgotten ringforts to harbouring German spies, this village turned borough-encompassing  townland bears many a secret - that we only thoroughly enjoyed unveiling! We travelled from the Dublin Mountains out to the edge of Killiney encountering everything from the leadmine industry to shrewd landowners along the way...

If you seek history...Shankill is where you'll find it

Facebook: @dublinshistoricsouth
Twitter: @DublinsHistoric
Instagram: @lfitzhistory

For sources & reading list: 
Email: dublinshistoricsouth@outlook.com