DCLA Reading Room

@DCLAReadingRoom

The Reading Room, Dublin City Library and Archive, 139-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 2224999 We collect, care for and share Dublin's history.

Dublin City, Ireland

Joined October 2015

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4KFollowers

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 21

This early 20th-century cartoon warned Dublin’s workers that strikes would lead only to “poverty and starvation”—depicting the strike as a hare, leading the workman astray. A stark reminder of how political art shaped public opinion and the struggle for workers’ rights.

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. This early 20th-century cartoon warned Dublin’s workers that strikes would lead only to “poverty and starvation”—depicting the strike as a hare, leading the workman astray. A stark reminder of how political art shaped public opinion and the struggle for workers’ rights.

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · 23 h

The Dublin Theatre Royal was renowned for being a hub of entertainment, hosting a diverse range of performances such as variety acts, music and even showcased films. Bizarrely, It also often hosted a circus which included live animals.

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. The Dublin Theatre Royal was renowned for being a hub of entertainment, hosting a diverse range of performances such as variety acts, music and even showcased films. Bizarrely, It also often hosted a circus which included live animals.

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 24

This book is attributed to Kilkenny highwayman James Freney (c.1719–1788), published to fund his emigration from Ireland. After a failed business and debts, he turned to highway robbery, became notorious, and later betrayed his associates for a pardon, becoming a local legend.

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. This book is attributed to Kilkenny highwayman James Freney (c.1719–1788), published to fund his emigration from Ireland. After a failed business and debts, he turned to highway robbery, became notorious, and later betrayed his associates for a pardon, becoming a local legend.

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 23

Fenian leader James Stephens travelled to America and throughout Europe seeking support for the Irish republican cause. His visit aimed to strengthen ties with the Fenian Brotherhood in the United States and to secure funding and political backing for renewed efforts in Ireland.

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. Fenian leader James Stephens travelled to America and throughout Europe seeking support for the Irish republican cause. His visit aimed to strengthen ties with the Fenian Brotherhood in the United States and to secure funding and political backing for renewed efforts in Ireland.

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DCLA Reading Room Retweeted

Dublin City Libraries@dubcilib · Jul 22

🎵Join us for a FREE classic guitar recital with Chien Buggle on Wednesday 30 July at 6.30pm! The concert will take place in the beautiful surroundings of the Reading Room in Dublin City Library and Archive. 🎵 Booking essential as spaces limited: bit.ly/4kLXSIJ

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 22

View of the Liffey upriver toward Phoenix Park, showing the Cloth Mart (located in Home's Hotel) and Queen’s Bridge. Published in the 1830s, this engraving captures Dublin’s bustling river life, elegant quays, and 18th-century architecture.

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. View of the Liffey upriver toward Phoenix Park, showing the Cloth Mart (located in Home's Hotel) and Queen’s Bridge. Published in the 1830s, this engraving captures Dublin’s bustling river life, elegant quays, and 18th-century architecture.

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DCLA Reading Room Retweeted

Chapters Bookstore Dublin@chaptersbooks · Jul 21

Has anyone seen these? David has just sent me the pictures - previous winners of the Dublin lLiterary Awards on the steps of the library in the Ilac Centre. Fair play to @DublinLitAward @dubcilib @DublinCityofLit

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 20

The foundation of our Special Collections is the library of Sir John T. Gilbert, acquired by Dublin Corporation in 1902. With around 9,000 items—books, newspapers, manuscripts, and more—it’s a treasure trove of 17th and 18th-century works, some dating back to the 1500s.

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. The foundation of our Special Collections is the library of Sir John T. Gilbert, acquired by Dublin Corporation in 1902. With around 9,000 items—books, newspapers, manuscripts, and more—it’s a treasure trove of 17th and 18th-century works, some dating back to the 1500s.

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 19

In 1965, amid fears of nuclear war, the Government released a survival guide. It advised people to stay tuned to Radio Éireann, choose a windowless refuge room, fortify homes with furniture and earth, and stockpile food and 10 gallons of water per person.

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. In 1965, amid fears of nuclear war, the Government released a survival guide. It advised people to stay tuned to Radio Éireann, choose a windowless refuge room, fortify homes with furniture and earth, and stockpile food and 10 gallons of water per person.

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 18

The Tholsel was once central to medieval Dublin’s civic life—a hub for trade, taxes, city council meetings, and justice. Standing for centuries at a key crossroads, it saw the city evolve before being demolished in the early 1800s.

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. The Tholsel was once central to medieval Dublin’s civic life—a hub for trade, taxes, city council meetings, and justice. Standing for centuries at a key crossroads, it saw the city evolve before being demolished in the early 1800s.

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 17

Take a look into life beyond the production line at Jacob’s Biscuit Factory. This 1910s social report reveals a vibrant workplace, with football matches, staff outings, and community events. Jacob’s wasn’t just about biscuits—it was about people.

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. Take a look into life beyond the production line at Jacob’s Biscuit Factory. This 1910s social report reveals a vibrant workplace, with football matches, staff outings, and community events. Jacob’s wasn’t just about biscuits—it was about people.

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 16

This aerial shot of the Four Courts dates from the 1990s. Even though it is the recent past, we can still see how much the city has changed in 30 years

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. This aerial shot of the Four Courts dates from the 1990s. Even though it is the recent past, we can still see how much the city has changed in 30 years

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 15

Between May 24–31, 1913, the Ovada Bazaar, was held at the RDS. The central hall was transformed into a detailed replica of the Italian town of Ovada, complete with shops, houses, gardens, and landscapes to transport visitors to Italy. Here is the layout

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. Between May 24–31, 1913, the Ovada Bazaar, was held at the RDS. The central hall was transformed into a detailed replica of the Italian town of Ovada, complete with shops, houses, gardens, and landscapes to transport visitors to Italy. Here is the layout

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 14

On Dec 16, 1913, the Gaiety Theatre hosted a concert and dramatic recital to support the women and children of locked-out workers during a turbulent chapter in Dublin’s history. Featuring music, dance, and drama including plays by Lady Gregory with entry costing just one penny

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. On Dec 16, 1913, the Gaiety Theatre hosted a concert and dramatic recital to support the women and children of locked-out workers during a turbulent chapter in Dublin’s history. Featuring music, dance, and drama including plays by Lady Gregory with entry costing just one penny

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 13

When you visited Dublin, you wanted to make sure your postcards home captured all the famous landmarks. Just one landmark would never do.

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. When you visited Dublin, you wanted to make sure your postcards home captured all the famous landmarks. Just one landmark would never do.

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DCLA Reading Room Retweeted

The Yeats Sisters@TheYeatsSisters · Jul 3

Last evening we were delighted to open our exhibition: Elizabeth Corbet Yeats: a neglected heroine. in assoc' Irish Guild Embroiderers. Open from 3 - 26 July, 2025: DLR Dundrum Library. With special thanks to Caitriona Yeats, @PierceDargan_ @DLR_Libraries @dlrheritevents

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 12

O'Connell Street, 1963

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 11

View of Dublin from the Phoenix Park 1818, from Warburton, Whitelaw, and Walsh's History of Dublin shows the view from Phoenix Park. Some Dublin landmarks such as The Royal Hospital Kilmainham and an 18th Century windmill can be seen. Do you recognise any other landmarks?

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. View of Dublin from the Phoenix Park 1818, from Warburton, Whitelaw, and Walsh's History of Dublin shows the view from Phoenix Park. Some Dublin landmarks such as The Royal Hospital Kilmainham and an 18th Century windmill can be seen. Do you recognise any other landmarks?

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 10

This Dublin map was created after the 1913 tenement collapse on Church Street. It documented derelict sites and dangerous buildings, highlighting the housing crisis and city neglect, and played a key role in the investigation into Dublin’s overcrowded tenement

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. This Dublin map was created after the 1913 tenement collapse on Church Street. It documented derelict sites and dangerous buildings, highlighting the housing crisis and city neglect, and played a key role in the investigation into Dublin’s overcrowded tenement

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DCLA Reading Room@DCLAReadingRoom · Jul 9

A stunning first edition of The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888)—beautifully illustrated by Walter Crane. These heartfelt, imaginative stories by Wilde charm readers of all ages with wit, lyricism, and moral insight. A true treasure on our shelf.

DCLAReadingRoom's tweet image. A stunning first edition of The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888)—beautifully illustrated by Walter Crane. These heartfelt, imaginative stories by Wilde charm readers of all ages with wit, lyricism, and moral insight. A true treasure on our shelf.

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