Dun Laoghaire is a harbour town, about 8 miles south of the city of Dublin, in County Dublin, Ireland. While nearby harbours in Dalkey have been in use for centuries, Dun Laoghaire’s harbour only came into being in the early 1800’s. Previously, “Dunleary” was a small fishing village and not easily accessible. However, once the harbour was built, it became a popular resort for the rich and famous, so to speak.
Last year I became acquainted with Tom Conlon, who is a leading Dun Laoghaire historian, and he has just published a book (his first!) titled, Victorian Dun Laoghaire, A Town Divided. He traces the history of the town, explaining how it became “one of Ireland’s most well-known areas” during Victorian times. Most previous books have focused on the scenic side of the town. However, Tom’s book delves into the “darker side of Dun Laoghaire” and the incredible poverty that existed there in the back alleys and slums. If you have interest in this part of the world, Tom’s book is a wonderful read, and it’s full of great images (including some of my own!). It’s available on Amazon and also on eBay. The cover is shown below.
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