Cabra man launches book about Dublin 7

A NEW book on the history and folklore of Dublin 7 by a historian from Cabra got a local launch last week. 

Lord Mayor Brendan Carr, who’s from the area himself, launched Bernard Neary’s book simply titled Dublin 7 on Thursday, May 25 in Cabra Library.

Born in 1950, Bernard grew up in Cabra West and has already written extensively on the area. Previous works include ‘Waiting for the 22 – 50 Years of Cabra West’, ‘Lugs – The Life and Times of Lugs Branigan’ and ‘The Candle Factory: Four Hundred Years of Rathbourne’s Master Chandlers’.

His latest work covers the Dublin 7 neighbourhoods he’s so familiar with including Ashtown, Broadstone, Cabra, Phibsborough, Smithfield and Stoneybatter.

Bernard describes the book as an informal walking guide through the district, and readers couldn’t wish for a more knowledgeable companion on the journey.

“I grew up in the suburb of Cabra West, which I have always thought of my village; I regarded Dublin 7 as my town,” he says.

“I am often accused of seeing things through rose-tinted glasses, but I have always thought of myself as fortunate to have been brought up among the people of Cabra West and of Dublin 7.”

Bernard also considers himself privileged to have been asked by The Lilliput Press to write Dublin 7, but with his great memory and recall for detail he’s proved perfect for the job.

“I have tried to include as much information as possible,” he says. “Given the size of Dublin 7 and the wealth of its history, its people and places, it is perhaps time for a Dictionary of Dublin 7 Biography.”

Dublin 7 begins with an easy-to-digest history of the area as an introduction and has a chapter for each of its districts. The local author combines oral history, archival research and personal recollections to paint a wonderful picture of the neighbourhoods, their landmarks and their histories.

If you remember the Bohemian Picture House, played around Blessington Baisn or walked along the Royal Canal, this is a book you’ll enjoy.

Even ‘blow-ins’ to the area will find Dublin 7 a fascinating read and a brilliant bible of the area.

Bernard Neary was born in Dublin in 1950 and grew up in Cabra West. In September 1980 he married Marie Mooney on the magical isle of South Uist in the Scottish Outer Hebrides. They have two children, Lennon and Darragh.

Educated at Scoil Colmcille on Marlborough Street and St Declan’s in Cabra, Bernard was an official in the Courts Service for many years and retired as Registrar of the Court of Criminal Appeal.

He also helped set up the charity DEIS (Development Education Ireland Sharing) Madagascar to help desperately impoverished communities on the island off the coast of Africa.

Beautifully illustrated with maps and photographs Dublin 7 is published by The Lilliput Press and is available in all good bookshops, priced €20.