Dub8 Issue 10 December 2014 by Griffith College Dublin

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Contents December 2014 - Issue 10

Bargain Trends A look at Dublin 8’s Flea Market with Nirvana Tandon. The Malt Teasers Thomas Telford speaks to Teeling Whiskey about their move to Dublin 8. Getting Down To Business Sovit Karki talks to some of the area’s local businesses. Something Old, Something New Discover hidden gems waiting in the antique shops of Francis Street with Manon Gustave. Brewing Up A Storm Robbie Morrissey looks at Dublin’s 5 Lamps

Brewery, who are getting the thirst buds going. Our House Walaa Ajjawi looks into student housing in Dublin 8. Pub Life Check out Colm Lawless’s guide on how to see Dublin without passing a pub. Hepling Hands Marina Kotlova visits a hospice to see the sterling work of its staff. Life In Colour Lauren Denver investigates the trials and tribulations of living in Dolphins Barn.

Editors: Marina Kotlova & Robbie Morrissey Contributors: Colm Healy Colm Lawless Cathy Suen Lauren Denver Manón Gustave Marina Kotlova Nirvana Tandon Patrick Brogan Robbie Morrissey Sovit Karki Thomas Telford Walaa Ajjawi

Editor’s Notes: Dub8 Magazine is the result of hardwork and graft from the contributors. Our aim was to bring together stories from all corners of Dublin 8 and create an eclectic mix of news, reviews and interviews to cater for all tastes.

Lost For Words Patrick Brogan profiles one of Dublin’s unsung literary icons. Portobello Rising Colm Healy has the inside story on the Jewish Muesuem’s expansion and why locals oppose it. Fancy a nibble? Cathy Suen profiles some of the fine-dining Dublin 8 has to offer. Take Me To Church Discover the history of Christchurch Cathedral with Patrick Brogan.

This magazine was produced by journalism students in GCD. The views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors named, and are not necessarily those of the editorial team or management of Griffith College Dublin or any of its employees.

We would like to thank the following people for their continued support throughout publication: Ryan Brennan, all our wonderful advertisers, our interviewees for their time and patience, and last but not least, the Journalism Faculty at Griffith College for their resources.

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Any plans this Sunday?

A view of what’s on offer at the market Photo Credit: Caroline Brady

By Nirvana Tandon

lmost every last Sunday of the month I make it a point to go and attend the local flea market here in Dublin. Situated conveniently at the Newmarket Square, here you can get anything from decades old china to clothes and shells from World War II to very useful home-furniture. The flea market has little things to offer to everyone.

Aisling Rogerson Photo Credit: Caroline Brady

“Flea markets are the heart of every city, going back hundreds of years,” Aisling Rogerson shares her views. 6 years ago, Aisling, along with two of her other friends Sharon and Luca founded the Dublin Flea Market. They now have a new member Dave in their team. They came up with the idea of a flea market here in Dublin because there was not any at that time. They had travelled together to quite a few places where they were inspired by the flea markets there. Some of the markets there were hugely inspired by the Brooklyn Flea and Mauer Park flea market in Berlin. Just before we started doing the market, The Bernard Shaw were doing the car boot sales, snd that was an inspiration from home for sure., because back then

it was the first time that someone had done something like it.They were doing a tow down car boot sale at the back of the Bernard Shaw. There were about ten cars at first and they did it again. It just kind of became this really nice event in Dublin.” When the flea market was first founded, it was confined to just a few stalls in the Co-op. Back then, it still was successful, but not to the extent that it is now. They gradually grew bigger in number and audience, which led them to expand. They could have been a hit because there was nothing like this before in Dublin; the idea was something new and creative. When asked about the journey and how it has come along in the years, Aisling says: “When we started, there was far less people, but now it’s just grown.” I don’t think that anything should be so massive the first time. We did it the first time as a tester.We made mistakes and we were able to rectify those mistakes. We are so much bigger now.” When they first started the market there were a mere 25 stalls and were limited within the Co-op. Then they gradually expanded to 35 stalls inside and 30 stalls outside. Now the Flea market is so huge and the demand is so high that they have recently added another 25 stalls 2 doors down. Aislling says that one of the major challenges they had to face to get to this point was dealing with the expansion. With expansion comes more responsibility and the workload is multiplied. When you expand you need to worry

about the crowd, you need to worry about the insurance and you need more people to help you control the crowd. When they first expanded to move out to the square they had to get permission from Dublin City Council. According to Aisling this was a very long process. In order to do this the team had to come up with an event management plan and comply with all the rules and regulations, which is indeed a very hectic process. “We get around a 150 applications a month and we only have 80 available spots. So we say no to over double the number of people we say yes to.” The founders here think that this is a lot nicer way to do business because you are not putting any pressure on the environment or the economy since everything is being reused. Also most of the things here at the market have stories behind them. Proving this point, one of the vendors, a very happy go lucky man showed me a life sized doll that used to belong to his now 40-year old daughter. The doll was from the 70s while the dress it was wearing was from the 80s. He commented that he personally found the doll very creepy. The vendors here range from all ages. You can find students here who have stalls just to make a couple of extra quid, and people for whom this is their full time job. The Dublin Flea Market’s customers, like its various goods, come from all walks of life too. I caught up with a couple of regulars who also happened to be students and asked them what it was about the flea market that they liked, Shelly excitedly replied: “This market is a place where you never know what you’re going to find; every time you come here there are new stuff as well as old.” Also, the good thing about it is you can bargain here and buy at the best possible price.” Like Shelly, a lot of other people think that the market is affordable and convenient. This tends to pull in a lot of customers, which could be the answer to its growing scale and popularity.

“This market is a place where you never know what you’re going to find; every time you come here there are new stuff as well as old.”

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The new visitor centre and distillery will open its doors in 2015. Photo Credit: Jack Teeling

Dublin Whiskey distilling set for Resurgence Plans afoot to bring positive change to the irish whiskey scene. By Thomas Telford

ince 1782 the Teeling family have been involved in crafting Irish whiskey. Walter Teeling set up a craft distillery on Marrowbone lane in the liberties in Dublin that would start a 230 year tradition that is continuing to this day with jack and Stephen teeling at the helm. Whiskey distilling is returning to its roots after the announcement of the first new distillery to be built in Dublin for over 125 years. In fact this distillery will be the first to go through a planning process . Teeling whiskey formerly owned by the cooley distillery has found a location in the Newmarket area of Dublin 8. The new distillery will start producing its first batch of whiskey in the 4th quarter of 2015while a new visitor centre will be open at the start of 2015. Opinions of the residents of Newmarket are upbeat about the prospect of some investment in an area that has been starved of it in recent years. Speaking to Jack Teeling he said “rein-

vestment in this area of the liberties is important for us so hopefully we can return it to Its former glory ”and“ its important to be respectful of the past but not allow it to decide the future”. Teeling whiskey was set up in 2011 after if split from cooley distillery. Their emphasis is on it being an independent trademark in the Irish whiskey business. When asked how he would describe their whiskey , “he said“ Like most Irish whiskey it has a very smooth taste as well as being sweet with a premium finish. Not that long ago this area of the liberties had over 40 whiskey distilleries producing what was regarded as the

“Range of expression that you can’t have with Jameson or Bushmills.”

finest whiskey in the world. The golden triangle as it was known unfortunately suffered hard times and the distilling business completely dried up in 1976 when Powers whiskey moved their distillery to Cork. Teeling whiskey are quite unique in the Irish whiskey business in that they describe themselves as a craft whiskey distillery. What this means is that they “are not multinational owned like Bushmills and Jameson” and “we can have a range of expression with our whiskey that you can’t have with Jameson or bushmills.Their whiskey will also tend to have a higher proof with one of their whiskey carrying a 48% strength, which is quite a bit higher than the usual 40% proof. In terms of employment , Teeling currently employ around 15 people but will be looking to expand that to around 30 in the coming years. When the visitor centre does open they hope to attract 50,000-100,000 visitors in the 1st few years of business. You get the feeling that when this distillery opens, it could be the start of a new golden age of Dublin Whiskey.

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Dolphin Electrical shop in Dolphin’s Barn, Dublin8. Photo Credit: Kaja Juul.

Dublin’s South Inner City small businesses in Limbo With the expansion of multi-national corporations leaving the South Inner City’s small businesses hanging on, Sovit Karki reports on what’s hampering the efforts of these local shops. By Sovit Karki

ime and technologies have changed our lives and surroundings. Things that used to be around decades ago do not even exist anymore. Similar has been the case with the small local shops around Dublin. With the arrival of corporations and chain businesses, most of the local businesses around Dublin have died, and the remaining are on the verge of extinction. Surprisingly, you can still see a few of such stores around Dublin 8, but they have their own stories to tell. Eddie’s Grocery has been operating in 64 Clanbrassil Street since 1988 and is still managing to survive, but it is not like what it used to be back in the day. Shop owner Edward Thornton tells us that he doesn’t even have one third of the business of what he used to have before the arrival of corporate stores.

“There were no shopping centres nearby, and the nearest one was somewhere around Stephen’s Green back then, and also most of my clients have died in the mean time,” tells Mr. Thornton. “And the next generation doesn’t come to stores like mine anymore”. Mr. Thornton says that there is absolutely no place for businesses like his anymore. “New generations have cars and they tend to go to shopping centres,” says Mr. Thornton. “The only reason I still have this shop is because it helps me to get up early in the morning.” He assures me that he is not making any money from the shop now, and he does not see a future for local shops like his. Eddie’s Grocery had a great past. Since there were no big shopping cen-

“The only reason I still have this shop is because it helps me get up early in the morning.”

Dub8 tres around, people used to shop locally. But now, even though he has a better price than the big shops, people don’t want to come in to him anymore. Mr. Thornton also witnessed the disappearance of the newsagents next door to him. “They used to do a good business but as time passed by, business just kept declining,” adds Mr. Thornton. Mr. Thornton says that he has not been receiving any sort of assistance from the Government: “Everything the Government is doing is against us. They make me pay €3500 rates and €1500 insurance per year,” he adds. “To tell you the truth, I manage to pay my bills from the money I get from my senior citizen pension.” Similarly, other independent local shop, Daveys Convenience Store, still exists in Rialto, Dublin 8. Davey Lawler opened this shop 38 years ago, but he is still managing to draw in customers through his great customer service, despite having a Centra next to him. According to one of the customers, the store used to be enormously busy in the past, operating with two tills but there is only one now. Mr. Lawler also does not hesitate to admit that the big stores are affecting him big time. “It is still not too bad for me, because I am here for 38 years and we are a well established business but most of the little shops are gone now,” adds Mr. Lawler.“It is a total nightmare.” Daveys hasn’t been receiving any relief from the Government either. “We just pay the rates, as much as €3000 per year and that’s it,” adds Lawler. “I would not recommend this kind business to anybody now.” To keep a connection with the customers, Lawler opens his store 7 days a week and even on Christmas day. Mrs. Creignton recently put her little hardware shop in Cranbrassil Street up for sale. She also had a good business for about 6-8 years after she opened in 1994, but gradually things started getting worse. “For hardware I would pull it down, because there are big places like Woodies who open late night, and even on Saturdays and Sundays. Small hardware like mine find it very hard,” tells Mrs. Creignton. She started her business as HC Hardware in 1994. For a few years, it was like a fortune for her, and business continued to be great until the recession of 2008. “After the recession, small shops like mine were hit hard and they had nowhere to go expect shutting the

HC Hardware shop in Carnsbrassil Road, Dublin 8 which was recently put in sale. Photo Credit: Kaja Juul.

business down,“ she tells. “But again, people literally shop online, putting the business of local shops into further jeopardy”. “Now it is my turn to shut down the business because I am all bored sitting all day here and doing no business”. Mrs. Creington believes that change is good, but she thinks that local shops are essential for the area: “To lose small shops will be terrible, because there will be no personal shopping anymore.” It is not surprising to hear that she has also not heard anything from the Government except the rates bill. Dolphin Electrical is another traditional hardware shop in Dolphin’s Barn. Surprisingly, owner Noeleen Rooney is still very optimistic. She established the shop back in 1977 and has gone through two recessions. “It’s very tough going because we are up against multinational companies who initially came here and bought over places like ourselves,” she tells. “Although they have buying power and can sell at a cheaper price, they do not give the service we give, and that is the advantage we have”. Mrs. Rooney still gets a good number of customers. “People still come here because I am here a long time in business and I am unique in two ways; I am the only woman wholesaler in Ireland and I know the products very well,” she adds. She believes that there will be a future for small shops in Ireland. “When supermarkets first came to Ireland, everybody thought that all the shops

would close, but they actually didn’t.” Mrs. Rooney tells that she has also not received any relief from the Government: “They just come in and take whatever they can,” she adds. “People at the top increase the rates and rent, and independent businesses are forced to close the shop. “It is better to enhance the area than putting the shutters down. Nothing looks worse than having the building locked up”. For small businesses like Dolphin Electrical, the owners are considered self employed, even though Mrs. Rooney tells Dub8 that she is forced to pay PRSI and PAYE: “Because you own the company, if you decide to close down tomorrow you will not get anything,” she says, “And my husband had a very bad accident is the 80s, we were hit hard by the recession, and he was not eligible for the disability benefits because he was a shareholder of the company.” Mr. Rooney has been working hard to keep her business going. Her business witnessed two recessions and was almost forced to close down in 2011 when the last recession hit really hard. ‘’I am an optimist, and I thought maybe next week, or next month something will happen, and I am a survivor”. And Mrs. Rooney unveils the bitter of having a small business: “There are a lot of times when I can’t take wages and holidays,” she says. “14 years ago, the year of 2000 was the last holiday when I took 2 weeks off”.

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A customer browses the unique antiques. Photo Credit: Kaja Juul

Antique Shops: The Treasure of Francis Street In Dublin 8, there is little talk of this small quiet street that attracts antique lovers. Yet, it is one of the most dynamic places of the area with a market that appeals to many professionals. By Manon Gustave A stroll through the past in Francis Street

n the quiet Francis Street, bicycles come and go on tired asphalt. Cigarette smoke blown by passers smells of nostalgia. The first thing that strikes us as we walk into the street is the windows of the stores. Here, there are no Penneys, Easons or other big brands. It sells only beautiful, unique and brilliant items; welcome to the antique street. Niall Mullen has a surprising resume. Being an antique dealer’s son, he was quick to open his own shop in 2001 in the street. Specialising in Art Deco and eclectic objects, he knows the history of Francis Street inside out: “In 1971 the first antique ship opened, at number 59.

At that time, Francis Street was very dilapidated. Full of flats, no jobs. The shop became successful and as a result, other shops started opening, and that was about 33 years ago.” With twenty antique shops, Francis Street is now a benchmark for all aficionados of antiques, says Niall. “It is one of the best streets in Dublin because they are no convenience shops, no Spar, so it is quite unique in that sense.” As unique as the pieces that are offered by these traders: “We are retailers, not wholesalers”. Patrick Howard, who owns a shop of the same name: “I like working with beautiful things all day. Every day is different, it’s a really lovely job to have”, he confides emotionally. “Tables, buffets, chairs, but also parts, silverware

Patrick takes care of the antiques. Photo Credit: Kaja Juul

Dub8 and fixtures ... Every store proposes a wide range of objects of all kinds from the 18th, 19th and especially, the 20th century.” A very random customer

“Forget that image of the history buff that walks the shops, looking for Louis XVI furniture.”

Forget that image of the history buff that walks the shops, looking for Louis XVI furniture. Clients are as diverse as their expectations. Against all odds, sellers say they mingle with fans, certainly, but also tourists. Patrick Howard, whose store is a reference in the area, regularly sees a parade of Irish throughout the city but also the country. Recently, tourists have some interest in the street and antiques: “We get a lot of European tourists and Americans. The Americans buy small items, easy to take home, and Irish people buy a lot of furniture”, explains Patrick. Suddenly, the door opens. A couple bundled up in their pullovers enter, marvelling in the store. Susan and David live in San Francisco, California.

Today they roam Francis Street looking for a fireplace set for their home in Napa Valley: “I’ve been here before and I like the quality of the designs”, says Susan. “You can buy beautiful details and then import it, and if you compare to San Francisco, the prices are good”, David adds. An attractive price, rare and excellent workmanship objects, this is the director line of these stores, so even the most surprising customers are attracted to become regulars at Francis Street. Patrick has a surprising anecdote about this: “Do you see these beautiful frames ? They are made in France. One day, Rod Steward bought twelve of them. He has been here a few times. He is a very nice customer.” A potential economic engine for the country Doctor Clare McAndrew released for the European art foundation a report on the art and antique market in 2014. Published by The Irish Times on August 30, the Irish market is not very significant in the world stage. In 2013, it was estimated at €61.3 million, or 0.1 percent of the world’s total according to the study reports. The Irish Times estimated that in a few years, art and antiquity could become a bonanza for the Ireland. For those who could not afford to buy a lounge, a stroll through this charming street fortunately doesn’t cost anything. And who knows, maybe you’ll see Rod Stewart come out of Patrick Howard’s shop, arms full of French frames.

One of fine antique works of art hanging in Patrick Howard antiques. Photo credit: Kaja Juul

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Do you know the 5 Lamps?

Robbie Morrissey meets the team behind Dublin 8’s rising craft brewery.

Courtesy of the 5 Lamps.

By Robbie Morrissey

raft brewing is on the rise here in Ireland, with a recent report by the Irish Times indicating that the craft beer industry now accounts for 1.5% of the entire beer market. That same niche industry is also on course to make over €15 million in profits for 2014 alone. So the industry has nearly tripled in size since 2011. An example of a craft brewery in Dublin 8 is the 5 Lamps Brewery, which was established in 2012 down on the North Strand by the iconic Five Lamps, from which the name is taken. That September, the brewery launched its first lager and two years later, not only has it moved into Dublin 8, but it has grown its range here. Set up by Dublin native, Brian Fagan, 5 Lamps had a goal to offer an Irish lager which was hand crafted and produced using only natural ingredients , it is also accessible and easy drinking and provides a real alternative to the commercially produced international lagers available in Ireland. In the late Spring of 2013, 5 Lamps relocated to the heart of the Liberties (in the shadow of another fairly well -known Brewery!) Since then, other craft beers have

been produced such as “Liberties Dublin Ale”,”Honor Bright Red Ale” and the “Blackpitts Porter”. The name of the brewery is unique to the area they are brewed in, as Brian explains: “Dublin, local, modern, and a bit of inside humour. Ask a Dub ’Do you know the 5 Lamps?’ and see what the response is.” As for the names of the beers, they too have a story behind them. For instance, the “Honor Bright Red Ale” is named after ‘one of the working girls on Dublin’s streets’ in 1925. She lived around the corner from 5 Lamps on newmarket Square. Bright was murdered when working the streets, two men were tried, but both got off. Hidden away off Donore Avenue along the South Circular Road, many commuters who take the 150 bus through the area, may not know that they pass within metres of the 5 Lamps Brewery. It also provides a revival of sorts to the once popular brewing area of Dublin 8, which the iconic Guinness brewery still stands along the quays. Head brewer, William Harvey, once worked at another Dublin 8 brewery and is a key part of the running of operations there,”William worked in Guinness for about 80 years and had retired” jokes Brian, “we met for a cof-

“Dublin, local, modern, and a bit of inside humour. Ask a Dub ’Do you know the 5 Lamps?’ and see what the response is.”

Dub8 “We can produce great beer and have a great story but unless pubs and offlicences get behind it, then we won’t sell very much.” Inside of the brewery. Courtesy of the 5 Lamps.

fee and after about 30mins I asked if he wanted to be involved. Thankfully, he said yes, as none of it would be possible without him.” Setting up a business, let alone a brewery, in the recent hard times of Ireland’s economy must have been no easy task. “Researching the idea and making a comprehensive list of everything that would need to be done.” was key, as Brian explains: “Then as soon as I started the process, it became clear that I had only got a fraction of those things right! Then I needed to get some money together.” There isn’t a typical working day at the brewery either for the hard work-

The 5 Lamps selection of beer.

ing team, “no typical week in terms of the order but every week we clean, brew, bottle, keg, clean, label, clean.Then there’s talking to our customers, taking orders, doing deliveries. And then we clean some more – 80% of brewing seems to be cleaning. Then there’s all the paperwork.” Being local and producing for local pubs is a key part of the mantra at 5 Lamps. It is also vital that pubs and off-licenses get behind the brewery too. “It’s one of the biggest factors. We can produce great beer and have a great story, but unless pubs and off-licences get behind it, then we won’t sell very much. They are key and thankfully they have been really supportive.”

to the pubs and off-licences are also key for any brewery: ”People want to try new and different things. I also think as consumers we’re more conscious since the recession of supporting local and Irish businesses. People want products that have a story or that they feel a link to.” So with that in mind, what does Brian think of the future for craft beer if it continues its upward spiral? “I hope so! Seriously though I do think that if the quality is right and the growth is managed then there is no reason why the industry can’t continue to grow. The overall rate of growth probably has to slow down a bit, but if means that the category is sustainable then that’s a good thing.”

But that’s not all, consumers who go

The 5 Lamps logo.

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Dublin 8: The Student An outside view of apartments lent by students in south circular road, Dublin8. Photo Credit: Paul Quigley

Dublin8 is considered an ideal living area for students, Chartered accountant Patrick O’Shea tells us why. By Walaa Ajjawi

he Dublin 8 area has always been an ideal place to live in for both local and international students. For several years Dublin 8 has succeeded in attracting many students traveling from abroad for many reasons, such as its relatively cheap accommodations when compared to other areas in Dublin, and its ideal location not too far from the heart of the city. For these reasons, among many others, Dublin 8 is considered one of the most affordable and suitable areas for students to live in. Dub8 spoke to Chartered accountant Patrick O’Shea about the general nature of life for students in Dublin8, and the issues that may occur. We also spoke to 22 year old student Nirvana Tandon who has been living in the Dublin 8 area for 2 years and had her own

view on the price increase. Seeing as Mr O’Shea has been a landlord in Dublin 8 for over 15 years, he was able to speak from experience about many issues that students may come across, such as the price increase and the effect it had on living situations for students. “Even with the prices going up, Dublin 8 is still considered cheaper than other areas, and the further you go from the city centre the cheaper it is.” However, when Nirvana was asked about the price increase in Dublin 8, she said: “Housing in general has become more expensive everywhere in Dublin; therefore Dublin 8 remains a convenient place for students in my opinion. Also, with colleges nearby, a lot of students tend to look for housing

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tsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Choice Far Left: Outside view of student residence in Dublin8. Left: Front gate of a student house in D8. Below: Windows of student apartments in Dublin8. Photos Credit: Paul Quigley.

Dub8 in this area.This has made the area very popular and thus more expensive.” With the prices increasing, it is expected for students to face more issues, and according to Mr O’Shea, the price increase has forced students with less income to crowd into smaller apartments, making it more difficult to be comfortable. And when asked whether Dublin 8 is a preferred place for students to live in, Mr O’Shea said: “It is more preferable for foreign students, not for domestic Irish students. Irish students tend to prefer areas such as Rathmines or the suburbs because other colleges they go to like UCD and DCU are outside the city, whereas the colleges most foreign students choose tend to be more in the city. DIT, Trinity, and Griffith College are the most popular choices. Dublin 8 is also preferred by students who are on a budget.” Since Dublin 8 has become crowded with families in recent years, one cannot help but wonder whether the

increase in the number of students coming to the area is driving families away, as it is quite normal for tension to occur between young adults who are just beginning to experience independent life and families who seek peace and quiet. “I was brought up in this area in Dublin, and at that time there were not many students, and even the houses and apartments were let to working individuals”, Mr O’Shea said. “A couple of years ago there were more students, but now due to change in regulations, a number of houses are being turned back into family homes. There were a lot of houses that were converted to flats and now they are being turned back into family homes.” Being a college student, you are bound to find yourself in situations that you do not wish to be in, and when you are a student living in an area crowded with families, conflict is very likely to occur. However, when asked, Mr O’Shea said that in his 15 years as a landlord, he did not come across any

issues. He said that you would expect college students to throw loud parties, but he hasn’t witnessed any that have caused distress to the families, and that students would usually invite a couple of friends but it would not reach the point of being unbearable by the families. Safety is an important factor considered by students moving away from their homes, and for international students, the first thing you consider is how safe the area you are moving in to is. When asked about it, Nirvana said that for the most part, she considered Dublin 8 a safe area, but there were instances when she would hesitate to walk the streets alone, especially when she is walking home from work during the night. It was important to also ask Mr O’Shea on whether the death of the German student in Rialto two years ago has “driven” students away from Dublin 8. “I am not aware of the actual facts in relation to the incident, but I believe it was more random than often – occurring, and it might have been drug related, not for the German student but for the guy who committed the murder. The incident, no matter how unfortunate it is, did not drive students away from Dublin 8 because they understood it was not a regular thing, but it has certainly made them more conscious and careful.” Mr O’Shea said. The prices have increased everywhere in Dublin. Whether we are talking about a house in Dublin 15 or an apartment in Dublin 2, the prices have gone up, and even though Dublin 8 is not the most desirable area, it is the most suitable and affordable, especially for college students. It is, as Nirvana puts it, a “very convenient place to live in. The city centre is very close by, and so are the train stations”.

Entrance gate of a student apartment in Dublin8. Photo Credit: Paul Quigley.

“There are instances when you hesitate to walk the streets alone, especially during the night.”

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Christ Church Cathedral: The Stage of Irish History We explore the history of a Cathedral that has influenced much of the island’s past. By Patrick Brogan

hrist Church Cathedral has been one of the most dominant features on the Dublin skyline for generations. The building has a fascinating history that has often linked in with the narrative of the rest of the island. Of course, like most interesting buildings in this fair city, you can find it in Dublin 8. Dublin is interesting in that it is the capital of a predominately Catholic country and yet its two Cathedrals are Protestant. The other Cathedral is St. Patrick’s which is also in Dublin 8. Christ Church is far older and is probably the oldest building still standing in the city. Dub8 is going to take a look back at the some of defining events in its illustrious history. The original building was founded

in 1028 by King Sitric (Silkenbeard). This was a small wooden church when Dublin was in its infancy. Sitric is an important character in Irish history. He was born into a Danish-Irish family and he became the first Danish Christianised king. He is more famous for coming out on the wrong side of a couple of disputes with Brian Boru. The second of these resulted in The Battle of Clontarf in 1016. The victory for Boru ensured his reputation as the last great king of this island. As for Sitric, he went into exile and pilgrimaged to Rome. On his return he founded the first Christ Church. The next hugely significant player to be linked with Christ Church is Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke. He is better known as Strongbow. He comes into Irish history during a time

of upheaval. This was the case for much of Irish history given the monarchic system we operated back then. The kingship wasn’t hereditary and disputes were frequent and often brutal. It is within this context that Diarmuid mac Murchada asked for assistance from King Henry II; the Anglo Norman king. King Henry didn’t want to get directly involved in Irish affairs but he did let mac Murchada seek help from his lords, amongst them the Earl of Pembroke. Strongbow was based in Wales at the the time and had a vested interest in keeping open the supply lines in eastern Ireland so he was more than willing to answer the call. Strongbow enters the Christ Church story when he marries Aoife mac Murchada there to sure up the relationship with her father. Strongbow went on to win the war against Diarmuid mac Murchada’s enemies and established himself as Lord of Leinster, thus began the long and often bloody era of Norman and later British rule on the island. It was Strongbow how began the building of the stone cathedral in 1172. Christ Church is widely believed to be the resting place of the Earl of Pembroke although St. Edan’s Cathedral in Fern’s Co. Wexford also stakes that claim. A fascinating building well worth a visit and that’s without mentioning Handel’s Messiah was first performed by the choir there, the embalmed heart of St. Lawerence O’ Toole and the mummified cat and rat known locally as Tom and Jerry.

Far view of Christ Church Cathedral. Photo Credit: Macnolete.

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Dublin’s cultural heartland Temple Bar at night, Photo Credit: Deirdre Fallon

“Good puzzle would be crossing Dublin without passing a pub”- Ulysses Pubs for the Irish people has been a place to meet, socialise, and watch sporting events. By Colm Lawless

he Irish pub, what does it have to offer? Or more to the point what does it have to offer for the many generations that pass through its doors. At any point three generations could be in the same pub at the one time; the grandparents, the parents and the children. Every pub in Ireland still has one selling point, uniqueness. Irish pubs are like handmade jumpers, you’ll never find two the same. I’m sure I could have found a better analogy but you get the idea. Almost every pub in Ireland is unique. Most local pubs are a social hub for the community to gather and catch up on all sorts of gossip in the town or to meet for social clubs such as golf, soccer etc. “Pub culture is very important to men, particularly as their roles are challenged in mod-

ern society, often by women . . . where else, if not to the pub, have many men to go to relax?,” says Patricia Casey. Casey is a senior consultant Psychiatrist at the Mater Hospital in Dublin. In general, we Irish don’t tip our bar-staff, unless we’re in a hotel or a bar with waiting staff. Perhaps this is because we know the staff very well? Irish pubs have taken a beating from RTE’s ‘The Savage Eye‘ showing their flaws and how some of the punters are depressed and fed up of their families and just desperate for attention. The satirical comedy also shines a light on the so called hierarchy within an Irish pub. To a certain degree this maybe true but it is not set in concrete. What I mean by hierarchy is; the locals are treated like a type of royalty. Their names might not be on the seats

but everyone has their own corner or table at the bar and if you were a tourist or just not from the village you would probably be told by the bar staff to find an alternative seat, as the bar staff want to keep the regulars happy. How do different generations socialise? From my own experience, I notice the older generation generally just go to the pub for company and nostalgia and perhaps to hear how the local team got on at yesterday’s match, whether it is GAA or soccer. I think Irish families have come a long way since my parents were young, so that’s a few years at least. I look around nowadays and the pub is filled with families on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. The pub seems to be a popular place now among the older teens (late teens early

Dub8 20’s) or college groups tend to gather to watch football and have a few quiet drinks. After all it is cheaper than paying for Sky Sports. Then we have the middle generation who after a hard day’s work stop off on the way home or on a Sunday afternoon whilst dinner is cooking at home to head down to catch the second half of the Sunday Game. My local pub? Well until two years ago I had five pubs within the space of a few miles to choose from but due to running costs and licence fees that number has been reduced to only two pubs. Out of the two only one has capitalised on the closures by charging reasonable prices and focusing more on the local attendees rather than tourists. This is very noticeable in the informality in relations between the bar staff and the punters, the way each member of staff behind the bar knows your name and if they are not new on the scene probably know you from a young age. The smoking ban was a huge factor when the other three pubs shut down, with only one of the remaining two having a beer-garden. Thus it is easy to see where the smokers would choose. The pub in the heart of the village en-

joys the advantage of being right in the middle of the community. Irish pubs are simply popping up all over the world now, especially in areas where the Irish international population exists such as America, Australia, Canada, and one of Spain’s many islands… Whenever I go away on holidays I notice a lot of “traditional” Irish bars that accommodate the Irish population of that region. I have found that foreign Irish pubs tend to go over-board with the name of the pub though, like ‘The Michael Collins’ or ‘Durty Nelly’s’. One other thing nearly every pub in Ireland can credit itself is that they are all independently owned and not chain -run by any major companies, meaning all profits stay local and go back into the community, or even just the pub itself in improving it and hiring more staff to keep up with local demand.

“Pub culture is very important to men, particularly as their roles are challenged in modern society, often by women”

We are heading into the festive period and the 12 pubs of Christmas, when bars become full of revellers and tourists who will come to experience the joys of Christmas in Ireland.

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Entrance to Our Lady’s Hospice. Photos courtesy of Our Lady’s Hospice

Living life to the full in Our Lady’s Hospice The day to day life in a hospice is not what you might think it is, and the patients aren’t what you might expect they are. By Marina Kotlova

hough by many this place is known as the place where sick people go to die it is much more than that. To prove it to yourself you need to simply walk in there and listen in on the conversation of two residents. “You going the chapel?” a resident asked another “Ah no, it’s too early for me, they said,” the other replied with chuckle. This place inspires positivity even in the most bitter of times for their residents. Our Lady’s Hospice have taken example from the founders, The Religious Sisters of Charity, who opened the first hospice in Ireland in 1879. It is a pridefilled organisation that provide worldclass professional, loving and people-focused care to their patients no matter their background.

Robert, a Day Hospice patient,has felt insecure in the past but as he began coming to the hospice he felt more alive “I came to Day Hospice every Thursday and its fantastic. It has given me security and built my confidence.” The journey through an illness is made easier and lighter, it gives inspiration to fight back. “They never give up on us here, even though some of us might have given up on ourselves before we came.”

Dog therapy is integral to the care. Photos courtesy of Our Lady’s Hospice

The Hospice is a gentle place where if someone walks in without knowing, it would never be labelled as a place “where people come to die.” They provide the warmth and serve you your hope that you threw away long before. Many have ran out of ears where they can share their problems; even if just for a minute, but here they find it, Vera who is a palliative care patient said

Dub8 “Even though I’m sure they’re too busy, the doctors and nurses here will always make sure to spend a few minutes talking with me. And listening.” After hearing these words in person, it makes you re-evaluate yourself and how you live your days. A place where many leave to their next journey, it isn’t rare to hear a patient saying “I was so happy to come here. The staff, they’re the absolute best!” Rachel Scully has been with the Community Palliative Care Team for over 12 years. Having trained in the Mater, her work with older people and in the area of Oncology, led her to the Palliative Care team. When she came to the Hospice for the first time she found her place “It really touched my heart. This is where I want to be.” But her journey isn’t without memorable moments. One of Rachel’s first jobs with the team was to care for Peter and his family. She remembered his devoted daughter Clare sitting with him. Then a mere 10 years later, Rachel arrived to care for Clare, now dying from

breast cancer. “That was very difficult. She used to be lying on the bed beside her father and now you go in and it’s her.” But that didn’t waver Rachel away, she continued to bring her expertise and loving care as she guided Clare’s family through the grieving process. Many patients have a strong and a kind heart that doesn’t seize to feel for those who surround them and more. Ann Marie is one of those patients that lives with terminal cancer but she exudes vitality and curiosity and confronts all the challenges life has given her with humour, positivity, faith and love of great friends and family. She married young and had to raise four children mostly on her own but with support from her former husband whom is still her “best friend.” Times were hard and Ann Marie began a small pre-school in her kitchen for 4 - 5 children. But soon it grew and after seven years she handed it over to the com-

“They never give up on us here, even though some of us might have given up on ourselves before we came.”

Volunteer actively takes part in the hospice fundraising. Photos courtesy of Our Lady’s Hospice.

munity who run it to this day. They call it St Ann’s Pre School now. “They made me a saint,” she jokes. And according to Ann: “Palliative care is a lot more than pain control. It’s the whole thing -the medical, the psychological, the spiritual and the social. The Palliative team. they’ve been absolutely brilliant!” So the next time you walk past a hospice remember the words from all these people and smile, because their lives are sad. Each one smiles and lives. They have come to the hospice not to die but to live to the highest they can achieve and the hospice makes sure they reach that goal. We should stare with open eyes and pretend we know what it’s like to be part of Our Lady’s Hospice. We should close our eyes and see if the truth by remembering each of these words. Those people are alive and see the world a happier place than many others do.

Nurse helping a patient with daily routines. Photos courtesy of Our Lady’s Hospice

As a patient who wished to be left anonymous said: “You realise when you walk in the door that you are cared for.”

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Get up and Get Involved The residential area of Dolphin’s Barn. Photo Credit: Paul Quigley.

Lauren Denver gives us an insight of the community life in Dolphin’s Barn. By Lauren Denver

n the Dublin 8 area, the community of Dolphin’s Barn can be found just beside the South Circular Road. With a growing population of local families and multi-cultural groups, there is a need for the community to be involved with one another.The Dub8 team investigated just how well the community connected. The team first spoke to Debbie Mulhall, who is the Community Development Worker in Dolphin’s Barn. Debbie was able to give us an insight into the community spirit of the area: “There is just so much going on in the community centre, and there are absolutely no restrictions, there is

something there for all ages”. Debbie explained that early in the morning the Dolphin’s Barn Community Centre would open in order to welcome everyone to the daily breakfast club. The breakfast club originally started up for children who would be going to school in the mornings, but now people of all ages attend. It is a great social hub and a fantastic way to introduce a healthy diet, as there is a great selection of nutritious foods to choose from. “The breakfast club is a huge success. It is so great to see young people getting involved and actually taking an interest in eating healthier” says Debbie.

There is a great selection of clubs and meetings that go on in the centre. There are activities scheduled every weekday. From step aerobics to bingo to just fun gaming, there is something for all ages. “My family is in its third generation there. My mother, myself, and now my kids are socialising there. It gives the community a great connection, and everyone knows everyone there”. As well as a successful breakfast club, the community centre also runs a great homework club that runs from Monday to Thursday. There are over 100 students that attend, and there is help

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Dolphin’s Barn Fire Station. Photo Credit: Paul Quigley.

there for exam students who are sitting the Junior Cert and the Leaving Cert. Debbie finds that “it is a great way to keep them motivated and focused and of course to keep on top of things”. The community centre organise seasonal events like Halloween discos, Christmas parties and even charity events. There is always something being organised or going on and everyone is encouraged to get involved with their community. “A better, stronger, well connected community makes Dolphin’s Barn a better place to live!” Another great success for the community of Dolphin’s Barn is the ‘South Circular Garden’. The Dub8 team spoke to Willie Brennan who is very much involved with the project. The great thing about the garden is that it is not an allotment, which means it is a public area and you don’t have to pay to be a part of it. “People can come and go as they please” says Willie. The gardens are well kept as there are so many people involved. Flowers, plants and vegetables are all planted and at the end of the season the produce is shared around. Having a community garden is essential. As Willie explained,

we need plants, plants do not need us. We need them for food and of course to breath. “It’s all about getting to know your environment”. Willie also tells the Dub8 team that anyone involved actually gets to benefit from what is being planted. “Sharing the produce is a great and healthy habit to get into as the food is rich and nourished. If it had gone through a factory it wouldn’t have been as good” explains Willie. If you are looking for a stress free environment, the garden is the place to be. Everybody has a skill, and if you have never gardened before, there is always something new you could bring to the garden. And like the community centre, taking part is a great network and a great way to meet new people and work as a team.

“A better, stronger, well connected community makes Dolphin’s Barn a better place to live!”

“The atmosphere is relaxed, and people can do what they want. It’s what people put into the garden that makes it theirs. If they want it to look nice, it will look nice. And letting people make it their own encourages their interest in the actual gardens”. Dolphin’s Barn has a mixed range of multi-cultural people, so the garden also have a wide range of multi-cultural vegetables and flowers. “Not only is it a social gathering, but there is a bit of education involved as people can learn about other cultures planting methods and treatments”. The companionship of a community working together is what keeps people from being isolated and it really gets people involved, and that is what communities need today. To achieve a well-bonded community like Dolphin’s Barn is to just get involved. Get to know everyone and join in on everything. The key is cooperation.

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Bicentennial of Dub8’s Forgotten Writer Civic Centre on Sheridan Le Fanu Park. Photo Credit: Kaja Juul.

Celebrating Sheridan Le Fanu, the Victorian Horror Writer. By Patrick Brogan

oseph Sheridan Le Fanu wasn’t a typical Dubliner, and maybe it is for this reason that his influence can still be felt in this city, particularly on its literature. He had a great bearing on later horror writers and not just in Ireland. However, he is nowhere near as famous as those he inspired, think Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley. The 200th anniversary of his birth has passed without much fuss. This wasn’t always the case.When he was a writer he was one of Dublin South Inner City’s most famous sons. Sheridan was born on Dominick Street in 1814 to a Huguenot family, hence his unusual surname. His father was a clergyman and was appointed to the chaplaincy in the Military School in the Phoenix Park. This obviously had a huge influence on him as a child, and the park and its surrounds would later appear at different stages throughout his career. W.J. McCormack is a Dubliner who has written extensively on Sheridan Le Fanu, be it on his literature or the life of the man himself. He is seen by many in literary circles as the main authority on Sheridan Le

Fanu, so there’s no better man to ask about the 19th century author’s life. On Le Fanu’s early life in the Phoenix Park he had this to say: “At that time, the Park was home to the highest officials of the Administration; the Royal Military School (where Le Fanu’s father was chaplain) catered for the sons of deceased soldiers. In other words, the young Le Fanu grew up in the middle of a ceremonial world of military and political display, power without any visible evidence of what power does. When the family moved to County Limerick, he soon witnessed the conflicts which actually arose in Irish society (about land, about religion, about privilege).” After a brief time in Limerick, he went to study in Trinity college and then on to London’s King’s Inns. Literature was always his first love and he gravitated back towards to it. Law’s loss was writing’s gain. Le Fanu was a widow by his mid-thirties and this, understandably, is also reflected in his writing. Sheridan was years ahead of his time in terms of the psychology in his stories, and dark-

Irish Arts Council where the conference on Le Fanu was held. Photo Credit: Patrick Brogan.

Dub8 er themes got darker after his wife’s death. He didn’t write stories in the typical fashion of the day and he divided opinion at the time. We, in this day and age , would recognise some of the techniques as modern and he did create a style for others to follow. The most obvious disciple is Bram Stoker. If you compare the writing styles there is a definite cross over between the two. Carmilla is a story about a young girl who is haunted by a female vampire. This could fall into the category of female erotica and is one of a long list of reasons Victorian society found him a little unsettling. Bram Stoker loved it. The comparison with his Dracula is easy to make. As W.J. McCormack told Dub8: “Generally speaking, he contributed a great deal to the development of the ghost story. In local Irish terms he also helped

to establish the genre of ‘Big House’ fiction. More specifically, he certainly influenced Bram Stoker and Elizabeth Bowen among Irish writers and, among English ones, M. R. James.” When the stuffiness of the Victorians died the later horror writers could thrive. It’s a shame Sheridan Le Fanu was not one of them. If that was not enough to contend with, the powers that be in the new state were not his biggest fans either. As Mr. McCormack explains: “He was a reclusive man in his lifetime with few friends in influential places. When the new Irish nationalism got going in the 1890s, he was regarded as the author of fiction set mainly in England.” Legacy The public will to honour Sheridan Le Fanu has been slow to get moving. Mainly this is down to factors already stated. An interesting exercise is to compare the events to honour other landmark anniversaries with that of Le Fanu’s birth. The Dublin Lockout, The Easter Rising, The Ulster Covenant and the start of The Great War. We as a people have heard so much about the celebrations of these events. To compare these events which effected the lives of many millions of people, especially The Great War, with that of a humble writer’s birth may seem to trivialise these and maybe to some extent it is. But, if we look at the centen-

Dusk at La Fanu Park. Photo Credit: Kaja Juul.

nial celebration of the birth, in 2011, of Brian O’ Nolan, later to become Flann O’ Brien, this was a much bigger deal. And take into account Bloomsday is an annual celebration. These are just some of the examples of the hunger to show what a great literary city we live in. In fact, Dublin is one of only seven UNESCO Cities of Literature. And yet we are so slow to recognise one of the city’s greatest writers, bearing in mind he was also a journalist and editor. This criticism may seem a bit unjust. There is a road and park named for him in Ballyfermot, after all. But, when Dub8 contacted Dublin City Council about Le Fanu Road and Park all they could tell us was: “We have no current information on why/when the Street and Park were named. However, historically and currently, it is standard practice to name streets, bridges and parks after well known Dubliners in recognition to their contributions to the City.” Some people believe this location is named

“He was a reclusive man in his lifetime with few friends in influential places.”

after him because he lived for a period in Chapelizod. Before Ballyfermot underwent extensive building for social housing, Le Fanu would have had a great view of the area. That seems to be typical of Dublin’s reaction towards Sheridan Le Fanu, a half-hearted almost afterthought to give his life and work the credit it deserves. However, that could all be about to change. On 15th October this year Trinity College held a conference in his honour. The British Association for Victorian Studies (BAVS) were one of the sponsors. Ironic given their hostility towards the man during his life, but it may be as good an indication as any of the changing attitude towards Le Fanu.The venue was 70 Merrion Square, home of The Irish Arts Council. Another irony seeing as it is also Le Fanu’s last place of residence.The room where the conference was held may have been the author’s study. It also continues the unforeseen element of parks associated with him, the Phoenix Park and Le Fanu Park being the others. The main speaker was none other than W.J. McCormack. McCormack said it was to his knowledge the first academic conference on Le Fanu in the world and also pointed out that he continues to “inform our lives even if his name has faded.” Hopefully that is going to change in the near future. One thing is for certain though, like most Dub 8ers, he was years ahead of his time.

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Fancy a nibble? Cathy Suen travels around Dublin 8 to find the best cuisineon offer in various locations in and around Dublin 8

Food is essential in life so why not eat something to tingle the taste buds that’s fresh or home made from grandma’s kitchen. Dublin has a few amazing places to eat in but also has plenty of places I wouldn’t step foot into again. Finding somewhere with fresh delicious food is hard sometimes especially if you’re on the go and don’t have time to browse, so here are my personal two favourite places to eat in Dublin 8.

The Bakehouse

here are three of these bakeries in Dublin; they are located on Harcourt road Dublin 4, 6 Bachelors Walk beside the Ha’penny Bridge as well as the CHQ building in the IFC. The Bakehouse got its name as owner Joanne’s grandad called his bakeries “bakehouse’s”. Joanne grew up with a baking background but opted for interior design. Later, she combined her baking history with her interior design which works great together in her Bakehouse.

“ Joanne just decided to go back to old school and to give Dublin people and whoever else a blast from the past ,proper freshly baked stuff everyday”

Joanne’s husband Pete gave us an insight on the style of the place: “The bakery is styled as an old school 50s sheek kitchen. The whole idea of it is based around the type of kitchen your grandma would have had which would be very homie and welcoming, mostly pastels, going back to the old 40s and 50s”.

It’s very stylish at the same time with plenty of seating inside and outside. This location is spotless which is a relief when eating out in new places.

Their most popular dish for value is their soup and sandwich deal which is E8.00, bread that is made fresh every day in the Bakehouse , along with its homemade soups.

The Bakehouse really does remind me of home and is comforting, not just because of the interior design, but because the staff are very heart warming and caring. It really gives the vibes of home which is really nice no matter who you are or where you’re from.

As Christmas is coming up they are now decorating some cupcakes and other treats for the festivities, and are taking orders for Christmas treats which range from cupcakes to larger cakes.

The Bakehouse is an attraction to many celebrities such as the cast of Geordie Shore and Paolo Nutini because of its warm and comforting atmosphere.

Pete tells us not only are they doing cupcakes and cakes, but they also put a range of

The types of food they serve would be fresh sandwiches, salads, soups, baked potatoes, hot breakfast and coddle which surprisingly is hard to come by as it isn’t made in many places. Their menu can be viewed on their website at“the-bakehouse.ie”, however I highly recommend going to the Bakehouse in person as the smell of fresh grub could highten your senses into choosing what you might not have tried before. Pete tells us why the whole concept of starting Bakehouse’s in Dublin was: “ Joanne just decided to go back to old school and to give Dublin people and everyone else a blast from the past ,proper freshly baked stuff everyday”.

Joanne’s Homemade cupcakes Photo Credit: Deidre Fallon

Dub8 new things on the menu for Christmas such as Christmas sandwiches. “We normally put something on the menu like turkey with cranberry and stuffing”. So if you’re lucky enough to be around any of Joanne’s Bakehouse’s definitely pop in as it will definitely be worth the visit.

“One of the many reasons why customers come back is because it’s made today gone today, everything is completely fresh”

The front of Baxter & Greene. Photo Credit: Deidre Fallon

Made today, Gone today Baxter & Greene

Baxter & Greene is located on Harcourt Road, Dublin 2 where Café Sol used to be 2 years ago and is one of the nicest places I’ve eaten in lately. Not only is the food great but so is the service. Upon arrival you experience the smell of fresh scones and Baxter & Greene’s friendly staff that are more than happy to help you with anything you may need. The shop itself is appealing as it is spotless and has a lot of places to sit including outdoor seating. As you enter the shop it is filled with light as there are large windows at the back which adds a spacious feel to the location. The food is served in a canteen manner where everything is displayed for you to see which is great. So what you see is what you get, no hidden surprises like in some restaurants where the food comes out different to what you had hoped. The food they cater ranges from fresh made scones from their own shop, to pizzas, sandwiches,

and a variety of hot foods as well as hot beverages. If you’re in a hurry, Baxter & Greene’s popular deal is the E7.50 lunch to go. There are a mix of lunches to choose from, such as an open roast, Cajun chicken breast and chips and salads. Everything is made fresh everyday as the food looks and smells fantastic. The Manager of Baxter & Greene said: “One of the many reasons why customers come back is because it’s made today gone today, everything is completely fresh”. Baxter & Greene also cater for some celebrities on a regular basis but were sure to keep their lips sealed on this one, but if a sports fanatic was to go here they might even bump into them as they are regular customers. They open from 6am, which is great for breakfast if you’re on the go at the time. and you can stop by to grab a few of their delicious fresh homemade scones.

The delicious homemade scones. Photo Credit: Deidre Fallon

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6 places to go in Dublin 8

Entrance to the National Museum of Ireland. Photo Credit: National Museum of Ireland.

Have a look at some of the interesting places to visit in Dublin 8. National Museum of Ireland: There are many things to see in the National Museum. On the ground floor you are able to learn about 1916 Rising and World War I and Ireland’s association with it. There are many examples of artefacts such as excerpts from Declaration of Independence and awards given to Irish soldiers. The first floor is split between Asian artefacts such as vases and costumes that used to be worn in the Azuchi-Mamoyama Era in Japan. European artefacts such as furniture, cutlery and accessories that women wore. The second floor contains the Asian art expo and a timeline of fashion in Europe.

Photo Credit: bee & txema.

Phoenix Park: The 350 year-old park is open to visitors all year round.. It would take approx 3-4 hours to see all the attractions such as the Wellington monument which was erected in 1861 for Duke of Wellington. The papal cross which was put up in 1979 after John Paul II visited Ireland. Other monuments have been erected for the park itself not too far from the Victorians Garden.You can also enjoy a free tour every Saturday at 10am in the Áras an Uachtaráin to see where the Irish President lives.

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Irish National War Memorial Garden: These gardens are one of the most famous memorial gardens in Europe. They are dedicated to the memory of 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the 1914 – 1918 World War. The names of all soldiers are contained in the beautifully illustrated Harry Clarke manuscript, located in the granite book-rooms in the gardens.

Photo Credit: Paul Bourke.

The Irish Jewish Museum: Standing on the site of Dublin’s Walworth Road Synagogue, It was once in the heartland of “Little Jerusalem,” a densely populated Jewish enclave off the South Circular Road.. The area was filled with Jewish kosher butcher stores, Jewish bakeries, Jewish grocery stores, Jewish tailors, Jewish bookstores and many other stores and businesses owned by Jews.

Photo Credit: David Denny.

Grand Canal: Walk along Dublin’s Grand Canal, where the Portobello area boasts beautiful views and wildlife. View the swans swing as you relax on one of the benches or watch the occasional street performers who gather there on occasions. There are many small cafes that serve one of the best teas and coffees in Dublin, so you can sit back and watch the world go by.

Photo Credit: William Murphy

Dublin Zoo: is a great place to learn about wild animals, some of which are endangered. Located in the Phoenix Park, it is one of Ireland’s most popular family attractions Over one million visitors last year., so why not follow the herd and get up-close with some of the animals that live there.

Photo Credit: Sean MacEntee.

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The upstairs of the Jewish museum, once a synagogue. Photo Credit: Declan Kelly.

A Quest To Discover Dublin’s Jewish Roots A look at the Jewish culture of South Inner City Dublin, then and now. By Colm Healy

he Jewish Museum in Portobello, Dublin 8, is a surprisingly refreshing experience to say the least. For one thing, it is at the very heart of what was and is known as “Little Jerusalem”, an area of Dublin that historically housed many Jewish families and their businesses. The first reference of a Jewish community in Ireland comes from around the 9th century, when it is mentioned in a passage from the literature of the time that four Jewish men had come to give gifts to the High King of Ireland. From there we skip forward to the expulsion of Jews from the Commonwealth in the late 13th century by King Edward I, and then to the 15th century, when a group of Spanish Jews settled on the south coast of Ireland. The historical influence of Jewish culture and

society in Ireland can be seen clearly by the number of synagogues around Dublin, as well as in Limerick, Cork and Belfast, and is clearly recorded and displayed in that little museum on Walworth Road. This and much more information was imparted to me by Edwin Alkin, a member of the board of the museum, who gave me an interview a short while ago. I was interested to find out about the past and present of the Jewish community in Ireland, particularly around Dublin. My grandmother, who lived around South Circular Road, used to tell me about the Jewish areas and the synagogues, and when I arrived looking for some extra information, I was not disappointed. Mr. Alkin, a pleasant and talk-

Displays which highlight the participation of Jewish people in their community. Photo Credit: Declan Kelly.

Dub8 ative man, explained that the museum was officially opened in 1985, after the building had been out of use for years. He explained that:“the way that it came to being was that the building had been a synagogue since around 1912. Most of the houses in the surrounding area contained one or more Jewish families.” But by the 1970’s, the community had been declining so much that the building went into disuse. According to Mr. Alkin, “[The building] lay empty for a few years until the trustees and members of the main synagogue in the community in Adelaide Road decided this premises would be a good house for the collection of the Dublin Hebrew congregation.” They had put on an exhibit and needed a place to store it all, and so they chose the old synagogue on Walworth Road. The museum was officially opened by Chaim Herzog, at that time the president of Israel, who was born in Ireland. He and his family had lived only two streets from the site of the museum, and he was very familiar with the services there.

move into this area. There were bread shops, grocery shops, butcher shops as well as religious shops, catering for Jewish needs,” added Mr Alkin. After hearing all about the size of the Jewish population in Ireland and the impact that they have had on places like Portobello, I began to wonder why I did not see the same amount of Jewish people and shops around Dublin these days. Edwin explained that the Jewish population in Ireland is in decline, and has been since it’s peak in the 1950’s. He told me that, historically, the Jewish population at it’s highest “would have been around the 50’s, after WW2, the Jewish population peaked in the 50’s at around 6,000 people for the entire country, including Belfast”, which had around 1,000 Jews living there at the time.

were Edwin and a woman called Carol Briscoe. The sheer amount of work that is necessary to maintain a museum in those conditions led to me to ask whether they receive any funding for the museum’s upkeep. “We would depend in large part on voluntary donations,” said Edwin. “However we do qualify [for funding] on some grounds for restoration work on artefacts and for archiving and so on, and we do our best to apply for that when we can.” The museum itself is not as big as one might think, with it being situated on a small residential road in Dublin 8, and I wondered how many people frequent the site, recreationally or otherwise. All the people that I had told about the museum were surprised to learn that there even was a Jewish museum anywhere in Dublin. According to

The fact that Ireland had housed a former president of Israel shows just how much of a Jewish presence there has been in Ireland throughout modern and ancient history. I wondered why the area around South Circular Road had been home to so much Jewish culture. Edwin explained that it began with the building of new, low-cost properties in the area. “In the late 19th century, there were housing developments of an experimental nature in this area where organisations provided good, affordable housing for working people,” he said.As the circumstances of the Jewish community from around the city improved, they moved up around the South Circular Road area, “and there you had an agglomeration of Jewish shops and businesses, and so the Jewish people who needed these services tended to

A typical jewish kitchen in the 1950s. Photo Credit: Declan Kelly

Today, for a number of reasons, the population has dwindled. “The only active community in the Republic would be in Dublin. There would be about 1000 adherents to a synagogue. But all in all, in the entire country, there are approximately 2000 Jewish people.” I had noticed during my visit that the only two people working in the museum

“We would depend in large part on voluntary donations”

Mr. Alkin, the museum gets “between 6,000-10,000 visitors a year.” “We’re generally closed for 6 months during the winter months, except for school visits or special tour visits. During the summer months we’re open 5 days a week.” For a museum that is closed for half the year, 10,000 visitors is a huge amount. There must be a lot of people seeking information on their heritage or Jewish culture in Ireland for the exhibit to pull in those numbers over that time frame, I thought. With a decreasing community I was curious of the age demographic and was told that it was: “an ageing population, but there has been a recent phenomenon that the international business community has been bringing

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Small local synagogues began to emerge as the community grew. Photo Credit: Declan Kelly.

in some young Jewish people and their families.” This had apparently given a bit of a boost to the indigenous population, with them having extra people join in at services and community occasions. “And the little Jewish school, which had been struggling for pupils has found itself having an upsurge in demand, and for the first time in many years it is full.” This is the primary school known as Stratford in Rathgar. At the end of my visit to the museum I felt a lot more informed about the historical and contemporary culture of Jewish community in Ireland. For such an important part of our heritage as Irish people, it seems a shame that a lot of people are unaware even of the existence of a place like Little Jerusalem. What was even more surprising was the amount of anti-semitic propoganda from the early years of the Free State. In the museum I found a poster from 1933, showing a map of Ireland with the word “PALESTINE” written across it in bold. I also found some information on the Irish National Socialist Party, or “Irish Nazis”, stating that they had tried to register as a political party in the mid-50’s. As a parting question I asked Mr Alkin whether or not there were any lectures or presentations in the museum or around Dublin, and he told me

that the museum generally has from 10 to 12 lectures a year, as well as a special lecture every year during Bloom’s Week. “This year the lecture was put on by the well-known filmmaker Louis Lentin”, Edwin told me. “He gave the Bloom’s Day lecture in the museum, and it can be found on Clontarf Media’s website or on YouTube.” Mr. Lentin unfortunately died two or three weeks after giving the lecture.

Apart from the museum, there are other places to find information on Judaism in Ireland, such as the archaeological museum in Trinity College called the Weingreen Museum, which was established by Jacob Weingreen, a professor of Hebrew and Hebrew Studies. I, for one, will be paying those exhibits a visit very soon, to find out a little bit more about my country’s past.

The gallery of the museum, located on Walworth Road. Photo Credit: Declan Kelly.

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