Stoker centenary celebrations begin

THE Bram Stoker Centenary celebrations began in earnest last week.

On Easter Monday evening, the Raheny Heritage Society and Clontarf Historical Society, in conjunction with the Keegan family, hosted a

‘Grand Soiree’ at 15 Marino Crescent, the birthplace of Stoker, creator of Dracula.

Bram Stoker, who died on April 20, 1912, is best known as the creator of one of the world’s best-known fictional characters in his 1897 novel

‘Dracula’.

He was a graduate of Trinity College and worked as a Civil Servant in Dublin Castle.

He was also an artist and founder member of the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club.

In Dublin he met the most famous actor of the day, Henry Irving, and subsequently moved to London becoming Irving’s manager for 30 years. He was acquainted with many of the great figures of the era and also wrote several other fictional and non-fictional books and short stories.

To mark the centenary, his great grand nephew, Dacre Stoker, travelled to Ireland from the US to attend a number of events including the Grand Soiree.

Dacre spoke about his forthcoming book –

‘Bram’s Lost Dublin Journal’ – based on Bram’s writings while he lived in Dublin.

Clontarf Historical Society is holding a Stoker lecture by Dennis McIntyre on Monday, April 16 and a guided walk on May 12, while An Post will issue two new stamps by artist David Rooney on April 19.

Full details of all events can be found on www.bramstokercentenary.com (sponsored by Bram Cafe, Fairview).