‘In Rathmines’, Photographic Exhibition 2019

Students from four colleges in Rathmines are being invited to submit photographs for a public exhibition entitled In Rathmines to be displayed on Rathmines Road Lower in March 2019. The exhibition is organised by St Mary’s College, St Louis High School, Rathmines College of Further Education and the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. Dublin City Council is sponsoring the event.

The purpose of the exhibition is to foster a greater awareness of the local community in Rathmines and the environment in which they live, work and play. The subject matter is left to the discretion of the photographer, but images must be located in Rathmines and must not offend good taste.

Rules for submission of photographs:

1. Only students currently enrolled in the four colleges: St Mary’s College, St Louis High School, Rathmines College of Further Eduation and the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama are eligible for inclusion in the exhibition.

2. All images submitted must be the work of the individual submitting them.

3. No more than 6 photographs may be submitted by one entrant.

4. There is no entry fee.

5. Each entrant must ensure that any image they submit has been taken with the permission of the subject (or their parents if under 16).

6. Entrants ensure that images submitted do not infringe the copyright of any third party or any laws.

7. Entrants must not submit photographs that are offensive, abusive, indecent, defamatory, or obscene.

8. Apart from public exhibition, entrants give license for the images to be displayed on the InRathmines website/ Instagram page. A photograph exhibited online will be credited appropriately.

9. Judging of the photographs to be included in the exhibition will be carried out by representatives of the colleges involved and their decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into in this regard.

10. Send jpegs to < inrathmines2012@gmail.com>. The photographer’s name, course/class and college must accompany all etries.

11. The exhibited photograph will become the possession of the photographer after the exhibition.

12. Closing day for receipt of photographshas been extended to Tuesday, February 12th..

Rathmines' great gift to Austrailia: The Great Melbourne Telescope

Casting the GMT in Rathmines works

The Great Melbourne Telescope was built by Thomas Grubb at Grubb’s works in Rathmines in 1868. The 48-inch reflecting telescope was, at the time, the second largest in the world. Erected at the Melbourne Observatory in 1869, it was considered to be revolutionary in its design removing many of the unwieldy features of previous large telescopes.

GMT erected at Grubbs in Rathmines

 The GMT was primarily used to observe the southern hemisphere nebulae. Photographic equipment was added in 1872, resulting in photos of the Moon that were hung in the meeting rooms of The Royal Astronomical Society in London. It was also used to take the first photos of nebulae in the southern hemisphere in February 1883; successful images were taken of the Great Nebula of Orion.

GMT in Melbourne in 1869

In 1945 the Observatory closed and the telescope was relocated to the Mount Stromlo Observatory near Canberra.  It was decommissioned in 1973 and in 1984 many of the original parts were returned to Melbourne. After extensive rebuilding modernisation in 1992, it was given a new lease of life in detecting evidence of dark matter. In 2003 the telescope was practically destroyed in a bush fire, with remaining parts sent to Melbourne.

After the 2003 bushfire

In August 2008, the Astronomical Society of Victoria, Museum Victoria and Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne initiated a restoration project with a view to restoring it in its original building at the former Melbourne Observatory site, adjacent to the Botanic Gardens.

Read more at greatmelbournetelescope.org.au

Rathmines' Poet Laureate: Pearse Hutchinson

The Literary Wall at Rathmines Library is a wonderful illustration of the township’s rich literary heritage. Of course it can never be complete, but there is one name that ought to be there, Pearse Hutchinson.

And maybe it’s partly because he was as far away from being self-promotional as one could be. One look at him: grey bearded, wearing black beret and coat, even indoors, was enough to see that he did not belong to the mainstream body of poets. He was proudly nationalistic, a staunch supporter of the left, the small nation, underdog, the oppressed, the worker. His poetry, often centred  on a small detail, would elucidate a huge truth behind it. He drew attention to injustices and inequalities, he had  experienced them directly in Ireland and in his ten year’s living in Franco’s Spain. Even through wearing a beard, he had experienced antagonism and discrimination in a time when beards were associated with certain groups in society.

One of Ireland’s finest poets, he was a  great supporter of, not just the Irish language, but all minority languages. He knew the central position of language to nationhood. He  was much admired by poets and writers from around the world, particularly those who championed the cause of oppressed peoples. His worth has not yet been fully appreciated, but time will mend that.

 

The day Éamonn MacThomáis came home

Éamonn MacThomáis arrived into the Rathmines Town Hall. It was 2002 and he had come, with time to spare, to lead a walk around the locality. The event was part of the inaugural Rathmines Festival and the much loved author, broadcaster and historian was not sure how many would turn up. Though a household name, he had been out of the public eye for a while and had recently been fighting with ill-health.

While waiting for the start of the walk, he sat in the staffroom of Rathmines College and talked about his association with Rathmines. He was born there, in the care-taker’s house attached to what is called the ’council yard’. Fond memories of his first five years; he had, surprisingly, never been back. 

“But, that house is part of the college, we can go there now.” He was awe-struck.

Inside the old house, visibly moved, he recounted his memories. His recollection of the details of the house after 70 years was impressive; it was quite obvious what a great pleasure it was for him to be back in his first living room, bedroom, kitchen.

Some weeks later he wrote a letter to say how much he enjoyed the day and seeing the old house. He died later that year. I don't know if that walk was his last public appearance, but the public had, most definitely, not forgotten him. A huge crowd collected in  the Town Hall for the event and the chance to meet a most likeable, interesting and humble man. 

Éamonn Mac Thomáis in the Liberties: https://www.youtube.com/embed/DjqvIcFdfdo"

Maureen O'Hara, Jam Jars and Henry Grattan

The only indication that Henry Grattan’s house, ‘Grove House’, once existed in Rathmines is the name Grove Road. As for the Grattan Spa that drew many people to the vicinity, there is none. The spa was on Grattan’s property in the vicinity of today’s Grove Road. It attracted people with various afflictions for many centuries before Grattan, but eventually, deemed unfit for human use, it was covered in. 

It is in the nature of cities to sweep away the past away over and over again. Isn't it amazing how often, when a business closes, you find yourself looking at  the empty building with  absolutely no recollection of the what was there so recently.

How many people now remember the Princess Cinema in Rathmines? It was just a few doors townside of today’s Swan Leisure Centre. Film  actress Maureen O’Hara remembered going there on Saturdays during her school days in Milltown. It cost three pence to sit on a wooden bench watching  the Saturday matinee. During the war, large jam jars were accepted in lieu of 2 pence, part payment of the 4p charge into the matinee. Wallets were big in those days! The Prinner closed in 1960 though the building remained for many years after that.

It is a pity that some information is not placed at sites that have tales to tell.

 

2016: Time to Honour Kathleen Lynn

Suffragist, labour activist and nationalist, Kathleen Florence Lynn lived most of her life in Rathmines, and has been shamefully forgotten in a city she served selflessly and tirelessly.

She was born in County Mayo in 1874, daughter of Church of Ireland Rector, Robert Lynn. Some of her education was received at Alexandra College, Dublin; she qualified with degrees in medicine, surgery and obstetrics from the Royal University in 1899. In 1909 she was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.

During the Lock Out of 1913, she became involved in the relief efforts for workers and their families. This commitment to the welfare of Dublin’s poor became a driving force for the rest of her life.

Her activities brought her close to Countess Markievicz and James Connolly. She was appointed Chief Medical Officer with rank of the Captain of the Irish Citizen Army, and served in that position during the Easter Rising. Part of the City Hall Garrison, at the time they surrendered, it was Kathleen who was in command. Imprisoned after the Rising; following her release she became an active member of Sinn Féin. She was elected TD for Dublin County on the anti-treaty side in 1923. After failing to be re-elected in 1927, her involvement in politics diminished; she did remain active with the Rathmines urban district council until 1930.

Lynn lived and ran a practice at 9 Belgrave Road, Rathmines. Her commitment to Dublin’s poor was exemplified by her work at Saint Ultan's Hospital, which she founded, along with Madeleine ffrench-Mullen, in 1919 to care for impoverished mothers and infants. It was a pioneering initiative, the first infant hospital in Ireland.

She died on 13 September 1955, and was buried in Deans Grange Cemetery with full military honours.

Her sympathies with the Republican cause brought her into conflict with her family, her gender mitigated against her in her profession. In spite of all this, she persisted and is one of Ireland's great unsung heroines. Perhaps the new children’s hospital will be named after her; one way or the other, it is now time to honour Kathleen Lynn. 

Historic Rathmines

It is planned for Rathmines to be included in Dublin City Council’s series of Walking Trail leaflets. There is a lot to see in a walk that would range from Portobello Harbour to Palmerston Park. Here is a selection of locations with notable histories.

Portobello House and Harbour:

The harbour, though not now in its original state was opened in 1801. The nearby La Touche Bridge was built in 1791, and Portobello House, originally, the Grand Canal Hotel in 1807. For many years, it was an important location on the canal, never more so than during the famine when many people were leaving the midlands to emigrate. The Hotel closed in 1835. Later the house was used as an asylum for the blind, and as a hospital; Jack Yeats spent his final years there.

Church of Mary Immaculate, Refuge of Sinners:

Rathmines parish church was completed in 1856, with the magnificent portico added in 1878. In January 1920, a fire in the electrical system engulfed the church and the dome collapsed. It was back in use in July of that year. The current dome built in Glasgow had been destined for an orthodox church in Russia. James Joyce’s parents married ere in 1880. One notable feature of the church is the number 77 which was put into stonework of the external wall on the eastern side of the church by a bricklayer in 1923. It was in protest at the 77 executions authorised by the Government during the Civil War.

Cathal Brugha Barracks:

Originally named Portobello Barracks, it was opened in 1815. The Irish army took over in May 1922, marching in the main gate as the British troops marched out the canal gate. It became the National Army's Headquarters under General Michael Collins. In 2011, a visitor’s centre was opened beside the main entrance in what used to be the guard room. It is dedicated of Francis Sheehy Skeffington, Thomas Dickson and Patrick McIntyre, who were arrested by the British Forces and executed without trial in the adjoining exercise yard on April 26th 1916. Today, it is the home of the 2nd Eastern Brigade, the 2nd Infantry Battalion, the Defence Forces School of Music and the Military Archives.

Observatory Lane:

In the 1860’s the Grubb Telescope Company was built at Observatory lane by Thomas Grubb. World famous, they produced, what was then, the largest refracting telescope in the world for the Imperial and Royal Observatory in Vienna.   Grubb telescopes are still in use around the world, including those also at Armagh and Dunsink Observatories.

Leinster Cricket Club:

Leinster Cricket Club was founded in 1852. Originally located in Grosvenor Square, it moved to its present location in 1865. Among its most historic events are the visit of the famous W.G. Fields and G.F. Fields in 1874, the last time both brothers hit centuries in the same match, also the playing of the Irish rugby union’s first home game took place here in 1875. Today this is home of Leinster Sports Complex, which includes Leinster Cricket Club.

The Chains and the Swan River:

Rathmines village was a group of thatched houses beside the Swan River. It was fenced off by chains on bollards. One bollard on the path a short distance south of the Wynnfield /Rathmines Road Lower junction is all that remains of this.  The cottages were flattened in 1888 and with them went the Irish-speaking community that lived there. Here too, one would have seen the Swan flowing parallel to today’s main street. Further on, it turned eastward to flow through today’s Mount Pleasant Square.

Palmerston Park:

Site of the Battle of Rathmines, which was fought here on August 2nd 1649. Colonel Jones’ Parliamentarian forces defeated the Marquis of Ormand and Lord Inchiquin’s Royalist coalition army. Varying estimates of lives lost range up to 4,000 and 2,500 prisoners were taken. It was this important victory that allowed Cromwell's invasion force to land, unopposed, two weeks later in Dublin. A  notable resident of Palmerston  was the great Irish physicist, George Johnstone Stoney. He originated the concept of a unit of electricity, calculated its size and named it the electron.