Local history lovers encouraged to explore the Dublin Festival of History programme of events

Local history lovers are being encouraged to explore the programme of events for Dublin Festival of History, taking place from Monday, September 20 to Sunday, October 10, with a mix of free in-person and online events.

Dublin Festival of History — brought to the public by Dublin City Council and organised by Dublin City Libraries in partnership with Dublin City Council Culture Company — now in its ninth year, is playing host to a European, UK and domestic line-up of speakers and panels.

Among the main topics being covered are women in history, the journey to Irish independence, Germany and the World Wars, Northern Ireland, as well as medieval Dublin.

 South Dublin Events

The programme features events with a southside focus, with many organised by local libraries, including Dolphin’s Barn, Walkinstown, Pembroke, Kevin Street and Inchicore, along with the Community Library Service.

• From the Grand Canal to the Dodder – Illustrious Women

Historian and librarian Dr Beatrice Doran will explore the lives of the fascinating women who once lived on the leafy roads and avenues between the Grand Canal and the River Dodder in an online talk on 27^th September, 7:00-8:00pm.

• Rathmines Through Time and Space: From Medieval Rath to Flatland

Irish Historic Towns Atlas will present an online lecture with author Séamas Ó Maitiú tracing the history of Rathmines, on 7^th October, 7:00-8:30pm.

• Anyone for Tennis? Early Tennis in Dublin 6

This online talk will explore the development of tennis in the Dublin 6 area, focusing particularly on Rathmines Park, Kenilworth Square, and Grosvenor Square from the 1870s into the early 20th century, happening on 28th September, 7:00-8:00pm.

• Dublin 8: Witness to the Revolution

Historian Liz Gillis and Dublin City Council Historian-in-Residence for the South City Cathy Scuffil will present a video and discussion exploring this turbulent time in Ireland’s history, taking place online on 22^nd September, 6:30-7:30pm. The public will also have a chance to walk through the streets and laneways of some of Dublin 8’s historic and fascinating locations.

• Reflections on the History of Crumlin, Drimnagh and Walkinstown

The raid and burning of the landmark Halfway House in Walkinstown during the War of Independence will take centre stage for this online talk on 23^rd September, 11:00-12:00pm.

• Drimnagh – A History

Join Cathy Scuffil, Dublin City Council’s Historian-in-Residence for the South City, for a fascinating journey through the history of Drimnagh, taking place online on 28^th September, 11:30-12:30pm.

General highlights from the Dublin Festival of History programme include:

• The Ballad of Lord Edward and Citizen Small: Neil Jordan in conversation with Stella Tillyard

Multi-award-winning author and film director Neil Jordan will be discussing his new novel, The Ballad of Lord Edward and Citizen Small, in an online talk with distinguished historian Stella Tillyard on 24^th September.

• Fallen Idols – 12 Statues That Made History: Alex Von Tunzelmann in Conversation with Hugh Linehan

In 2020, statues across the world were pulled down in an extraordinary wave of global iconoclasm in Black Lives Matter protests. British historian, screenwriter and author Alex von Tunzelmann will discuss the subject of her book Fallen Idols, which looks at twelve statues in modern history and why they came down, in an online event on 1^st October.

• Between Two Hells: The Irish Civil War – Diarmaid Ferriter in Conversation

For this in-person conversation on 9^th October, Ireland’s leading historian will discuss his latest book which draws on completely new sources to show how important this tragic war was for understanding Ireland now.

A new addition to the programme this year are children’s and family events, including:

• Family Tour of Dublinia

This year, festival partner Dublinia, located in the heart of Viking and medieval Dublin, is offering families a chance to have a guided tour with one of its costumed living historians on two dates, 3^rd October and 10^th October, 11.00am-12.00pm, with booking essential.

• Children’s History Workshop: The Big History Quiz

The Big History Quiz is taking place on 3^rd October, 4.00-5.00pm, and children aged 9-12 can join Dublin’s Historian-in-Residence for Children Dervilia Roche and tour guide Justine Murphy for a free, interactive Zoom quiz.

All Dublin Festival of History events are free, but booking is required. The full programme details, along with information about how to book is available online at www.dublinfestivalofhistory.ie.