Dublin: A Traveller's Reader

Description

'Unforgettable . . . no better compilers could have been found' - History Today 'Dublin's past comes dazzlingly alive' - Publishing News 'Erudite and practical simultaneously' - Gemma Hussey, Irish Independent Dublin's turbulent history, its intensely literary and theatrical character of long literary lineage, its revolutionary ideals and heroes, and its ordinary life are all brought to life in this collection of letters, diaries and memoirs of travellers to the city and by Dubliners themselves. The extracts, from medieval times onwards, include Red Hugh O'Donnell's escape from Dublin Castle, James Joyce's plans for a novel while staying at the Martello Tower, and the seizure of the GPO by Irish volunteers during the Easter Rising. The book also includes gossip and story-telling in the humorous sketches of many famous Dubliners.

Thomas and Valerie Pakenham spent their early married life in Dublin, when he was working on The Year of Liberty, a history of the Great Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Dublin is Pakenham territory, and no better compilers could have been found. Unforgettable: Yeats in action at the Abbey Theatre, Joyce conceiving 'stately plump Buck Mulligan' at the Martello Tower, and the staggering human tragedy conveyed by an eyewitness account of the Easter Rising. - History Today Dublin's past comes dazzlingly alive... - Publishing News Erudite and practical simultaneously - Irish Independent Highly entertaining - Irish Times A great help towards some understanding of 'Irishness'; and of 'Englishness' also. - Spectator It is much more than a traveller's companion, to be enjoyed and appreciated by all who know and feel for this extraordinary city - Contemporary Review