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A History Of Glasnevin – Its Village, Lands And People
by Tony O’Doherty
Format: Hardback
Publication date: 8th April 2011
ISBN: 978-1-908024-25-1
Price: €22.50
This book tells the story of a village and its people over the centuries, beginning as far back as the sixth century, when St. Mobhi founded a monastery and monastic school on the hill overlooking the Tolka River. After the coming of the Normans, the lands of Glasnevin were granted to the Priory of the Holy Trinity attached to Christ Church, and a manorial village replaced the older settlement.
In the eighteenth century. Glasnevin became a fashionable area for the prosperous classes and Dublin’s literary circle, its most famous resident at that time being Doctor Patrick Delany, friend of Dean Swift. In the nineteenth century, many institutions, mainly educational, were established in the area, as well as the Botanic Gardens and Ireland’s largest and most famous cemetery. As a result, for the remainder of the century, Glasnevin retained its “pastoral nature” and it was spared the extensive housing that took place over Dublin’s south-side.
In 1901, Glasnevin became incorporated in Dublin City and developed into a modern “red-brick” suburb. The next seventy years saw the gradual renewal of the village, with the demise of so many of its quaint old and historic buildings. It is hoped that this book will enlighten the people of Glasnevin and preserve its story for future generations.
About the Author
Tony O’Doherty has lived in Glasnevin for practically all of his life. An amateur historian, he has compiled this history, the fruits of research, observation and local lore over many decades.
He was educated in St. Patricks National School Drumcondra, Belvedere College, and subsequently, UCD where he obtained a degree in engineering. He worked with ESB in the design of power stations, and he became a Chartered Engineer and a European Engineer (Eur. Ing.) He has worked as a consultant to the Electro-Technical Council of Ireland since his retirement.
