Once Upon a Time in Tallaght

A new book, Once Upon a Time in Tallaght, Tinker Tales and Traveller Stories was launched at the County Library last night. The book is a collection of stories, poems and photographs about the life of the Travelling community in South Dublin County in the 1950s and 60s. Mervyn Ennis, a native of Ballymount and resident of Saggart, has had his poetry recognised in Irish and British awards and in Irish, British, Italian and Australian publications. This is his first venture into prose and is a tribute to the Travelling people, whose cause he championed in the High Court and Supreme Court in the 1980s and he was the first social worker to accompany a Traveller delegation to Strasbourg to articulate their case.

Mervyn says “During [the 1950s and early 60s] Travellers were the victims of much discrimination and poverty but despite this they have tremendous resilience and great can-do spirit – it is this humanity and spirituality that the book is trying to get in touch with”.

The book is illustrated by striking photographs by former Irish Times photographer Alen MacWeeney.

The book is published by South Dublin County Council and is available to buy from branches of South Dublin Libraries, priced €15 or by contacting Síle Coleman or Colette Carpenter at the County Library, Tallaght on 01 4620073 or localstudies@sdublincoco.ie. It will also shortly be available to borrow from our libraries. Alen MacWeeney’s photographs of Travellers are available in our digital archive Source.

The Dublin and Blessington Steam Tram

South Dublin County Libraries have just published a new book by Aidan Cruise, The Dublin and Blessington Steam Tram: a Pictorial and Social History. Long before the Luas came to Tallaght, this tram trundled through the Village, and also had stops at the Belgard Road, Jobstown, Embankment, Saggart and Brittas, before making its way on to Blessington. In this book Aidan details the social aspects of the tram – the effect it had on the commercial life of the county, as well as the difference it made to the lives of the people who used it. The book was launched by Mayor Mick Duff at the County Library last Thursday evening and all the signs are pointing towards it being a bestseller! The book is available for purchase in all branches of South Dublin County Libraries priced €10.

Launch of South Dublin Rambles

Mayor Marie Corr will launch South Dublin Rambles by Frank Tracy at the County Library in Tallaght on Wednesday 10^th June at 7:30 p.m.

 The publication of the book is most timely – summer has at last arrived, the days are growing longer and the weather is improving. This guidebook contains six urban and six rural walks and the lively text also informs about the history, heritage, nature and landscapes of South Dublin County and of neighbouring Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County.

 After the launch copies of the book will be on sale in branches of South Dublin County Libraries,  priced €5.

All are welcome to the launch on Wednesday evening!