Launch of Fingal Festival of History 2025

Welcome to Fingal’s ninth annual Festival of History which was launched by the Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Gráinne Maguire, on Monday 25 August.  The festival will run from Monday 29th September to Saturday 11th October 2025 throughout our library branches.  

This year we have incorporated 13 exciting talks plus a heritage tour into our programme.  Topics included cover Loreto Convent Balbriggan, Luttrellstown Castle, A culinary experience at Newbridge House and the history of Bremore Graveyard.  Household names such as Myles Dungan (Land and the Irish Free State 1922-39), Turtle Bunbury (Vanishing Ireland) and Flor MacCarthy (From Ireland to the Stars) will also speak.  The fascinating lives covered in the “Bad Bridget” podcast and book will be recounted in a lively discussion by the authors Dr Elaine Farrell and Dr Leanne McCormack, facilitated by Dr Derville Murphy.

History at the Library Day takes place on Saturday 4th October in The Carnegie on North Street Swords.  Our four speakers will cover such diverse topics as the History of Swords Carnegie Library (10am), Gentours Holiday Camp, Skerries (11.30am), Using DNA test results to add to your Family History (2pm) and Dublin’s last Theatre Royal (3.15pm).

 This year we are again collaborating with Clonsilla and Porterstown Heritage Society.  Join them on a 90-minute guided tour of St Mary’s Church and Graveyard, Clonsilla. (Heritage Tour Sunday 5th October @ 3pm – meet at St. Mary’s Church).

We hope that there will be something of interest for everyone. All events are free to the public, but places may be limited so booking is advised

We will also be distributing copies of Fingal Studies 6, our local history journal dedicated to recording and uncovering the history of Fingal. This year the journal looks at ballooning in Dublin, the anti-vaccination movement in Fingal from the revolutionary period and beyond, the early history of cricket in North County Dublin, a fascinating look at a letter from the infamous Michael Collier (‘Collier the robber’) to Charles Cobbe of Newbridge House and much more besides. A copy of the Fingal Festival of History brochure is available to view and download on the library website: https://www.fingal.ie/fingallibraries

Fingal Studies was relaunched last year after a nine-year absence. A new volume will be released each year to coincide with the Festival of History.  For further details, please click on the following link https://www.fingal.ie/fingalstudies.

For further information on Fingal's Festival of History 2025 and the different events please contact Catherine Keane/ Karen De Lacey 

E mail: [email protected] / Tel: 01 890 6791