New panels bring city’s history to life

Neil Fetherstonhaugh

TWELVE new interpretive panels were unveiled across Dublin  recently to promote key historic sites in the city and to encourage greater visitor engagement with the capital’s stories and past. 

The new panels are large attractive storyboards situated along the Dubline, a unique cultural and heritage walking trail running across the city from Parnell Square, via Trinity College, to Kilmainham Gaol and Courthouse.

The Dubline, jointly developed by Dublin City Council and Fáilte Ireland, connects places, people and stories and showcases Dublin’s rich heritage – enabling visitors to uncover many of the city’s hidden gems.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, said the panels would be a timely addition to tourism infrastructure in Dublin, particularly as Irish history takes centre stage next year during the 1916 commemorations.

“The streets and laneways of Dublin echo with a great variety of stories about our past and visitors to this city, who want to learn more about us and about our country, will now have extra assistance in engaging with our past,” he said.

Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Críona Ní Dhálaigh, added:  “The interpretive panels are a wonderful addition to the series of themed walking trails or Discovery Trails already launched last summer by Dublin City Council and Fáilte Ireland.

“Dublin is rich in history and it is appropriate, with the 1916 commemorations only around the corner, that we should be here today at Kilmainham Gaol to launch the panels. The interpretive panels complementing the Dubline will open up the story of Dublin to visitors and Dubliners alike.”

The 12 interpretive panels have been placed at significant and important junctures along the Dubline, which provide the trail user with useful information about key historical locations, events and characters.

The panels will also help trail users to discover the stories that shaped Dublin and trace the timeline of our city from its origins to the present day.

One of the panels, in the Liberties, states: ‘You are in the heart of the famous Liberties, which has played a vital role in Dublin’s cultural, industrial and political life since medieval times. The people of the Liberties have always seen themselves as the real Dubliners. Here, where the city evolved more than a thousand years ago, you can explore some of Dublin’s most historic streets.’

The new interactive tourism project would help bring Dublin’s history alive, Deputy Catherine Byrne (FG) said.

“The tourism and hospitality industry employs an estimated 205,000 people in this country and generates over €3.5 billion per year.” she said. “Any promotion of our heritage sites in the south inner city will help local people and businesses to benefit from tourism.”