Dublin City Library & Archive

“Re-Framing Disability”, a major exhibition on loan from the Royal College of Physicians, London, is currently on display at Dublin City Library and Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 until 28 September 2012.

The exhibition consists of a series 17th-19th century portraits of disabled individuals. Some of the images are self-portraits such as one of artist Matthew Buchinger (see image right) . Others featured include the first Siamese twins ‘Chang and Eng Bunker’ (1811-74), an image of the ‘giant’ Chang Yu Sing (1847-93), a print of John Boby who had  vitiligo (skin disorder) titled ‘the wonderful spotted Indian’, and several portraits of parasitic twins.

Right: Self-portrait by disabled artist Matthew Buchinger (b. 1647). Image Copyright Royal College of Physicians, London Read more »

We are so lucky in Dublin to have access to the world’s best music. Music in the churches can be sublime, and visiting companies perform French and Italian music in the city during the season. I notice that many of the wealthy, or aspiring families now engage music masters to teach their children to play the harpsichord or violin, to sing, and to appreciate the finer points of musical composition. I’m sure this can only have a civilizing effect, especially on the young men.

 The new Music Hall in Fishamble Street has witnessed stunning events. Since its official opening last year this fine building hosts fashionable balls and assemblies. It has a wonderful vaulted roof which gives a great sound quality for musical evenings. It is decorated in the most elegant manner with fluted columns and pilasters and large mirrors to give extra light and to reflect the dancers. For concerts it holds about 600 people. Read more »

The grandest public space in Dublin is College Green. Roughly triangular in shape, it has three of Dublin’s finest public buildings fronting onto it: Trinity College West Front, the Houses of Parliament, and the General Post Office. In the centre is the equestrian statue of William III. Read more »

This week I must get a gift for my niece’s birthday. Of course it will be a book as nothing else will please her so much. She will be 13, quite a young lady now. She has a lovely reading voice and she often reads aloud to her little brother and sister, and sometimes to her mother and her fashionable friends. She enjoys poetry and she loves the Newbery books, which arrive fresh from London in crisp new editions. She has a whole set of them in her room, Goody Two Shoes has been her favourite for years. Her aunts and uncles buy them for her for Christmas, New Year and Easter.

  Read more »

I love the theatre, I’m fascinated by the spectacle, the costumes, the music, and of course people watching. The heavy smell and flickering images of the wax candles create an atmosphere like no other: combining the formality of church with the excitement and anticipation of the performance to come. All the gentry turn up in their carriages, especially on benefit nights. When it gets really busy the drivers are only allowed to drive the carriages in one direction along the street, they drop their passengers at the door and keep moving.

  Read more »

The Certificate in Local History, run by the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, will be offered at Dublin City Library and Archive beginning this autumn. The course runs from 4th September 2012 to 30th April 2013.

The course gives participants a formal and practical training in how to carry out research in local history and how to write up their findings in the form of a dissertation. The course carries 20 credits towards the NUI Maynooth B.A. in Local History.

The course consists of 100 hours part-time. Find out more about the course, including fees, timetable and course content.

Closing date for applications is Friday, 17th August 2012. Read more »