Publications

South Dublin Libraries have published the following Local Studies books. They are available to borrow from branches of South Dublin Libraries, or to download free of charge in ebook format from our Download Zone.  Some are also available to download in audio book format. Most titles can also be purchased from branches of South Dublin Libraries. To enquire about mail orders, email localstudies@sdublincoco.ie.

The Dublin and Blessington Steam Tram: A Pictorial and Social History by Aidan Cruise

Our latest publication - coming soon to the Download Zone

The arrival of the Luas to Tallaght in 2004 continued a long tradition of trams in South Dublin County. Between 1888 and 1932 Tallaght and South Dublin County was served by the Dublin to Blessington Steam Tram. In this book Aidan Cruise details the importance of the tram to the commercial and social life of the county. (€10)

Pre-Norman Grave-Slabs and Cross-Inscribed Stones in the Dublin Region by Patrick Healy

Patrick Healy, a noted archaeologist was an expert on Early Christian grave-slabs and cross-inscribed stones. In addition to his studies and writings in the Dublin area, he had studied and written about monuments at Glendalough for the OPW and the crosses and slabs at St. Berrihert’s Kyle in the Glen of Aherlow. He is probably best known for his work on the Rathdown group of slabs. Examples of Rathdown Slabs have been found in Rathfarnham and at Whitechurch. (€10)

South County Scrapbook by Mary McNally (sold out!)

This book is a series of articles on various aspects of the history and heritage of South Dublin County. It provides an overview of a wide range of subjects from the pubs of Rathcoole to the City Watercourse. It was written in 1999 by Mary McNally, a lifelong resident of the Saggart and Rathcoole areas to document some of her vast knowledge of the history of the rapidly changing South Dublin County area.

A Pictorial History of Brittas, Saggart, Newcastle and Rathcoole

This pictorial history of the villages of Brittas, Saggart, Newcastle and Rathcoole is the result of a reminiscence project undertaken by the Four Districts Day Care Centre in Rathcoole. It features the memories of the senior citizens who attend the centre as well as valuable photographs which bring the story of the social and working life of the four villages to life so evocatively. (€10)

All Roads Lead to Tallaght, Rathfarnham Roads and Glenasmole Roads by Patrick Healy

Patrick (Paddy) Healy who died on 11th December 2000 was a well noted field archaeologist whose name was and is well known to everyone interested in the history and antiquities of Dublin and its hinterland. South Dublin County Council through the Local Studies Section of the County Library is extremely grateful to have been granted access in 2003, by Patrick’s brother Peter to many of his unpublished manuscript local histories of the greater Dublin area. They contain the insightful comments of a meticulous archaeologist who had meticulously researched the areas, walked the routes and observed the sites about which he wrote.

All Roads lead to Tallaght, Rathfarnham Roads and Glenasmole Roads are published by South Dublin Libraries, taken from the manuscripts of Patrick Healy. They are written in an informal style, illustrated with many of Paddy’s photographs, taking the reader on a journey along the roads around Tallaght, Rathfarnham and Glenasmole and their neighbourhoods. (€5)

Bumps in the Fields and Crumbling Walls: Field Archaeology for Sunday Afternoons by Hermann Geissel

From abbeys to wedge tombs, the long and varied history of Ireland has left us with an abundance of archaeological monuments.

This book is an indispensable companion for the local enthusiast engages in practical fieldwork, whether for his or her own enjoyment or with a view to improving a knowledge and understanding of the archaeological landscape and local heritage. It provides students, Sunday walkers, local historians, and budding amateur archaeologists with the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the history of the landscape around us.

A glossary of archaeological terms, a guide to Irish place names, a time line, overviews of disciplines of local studies and a list of types of archaeological monuments provide the broader perspective. Distribution diagrams of selected monuments and a simple key for the identification of field monuments are also included.  

The book is presented in a scholarly yet clear manner and is richly illustrated making the practical study of our archaeological heritage accessible to everyone. (€10)

If Those Trees Could Speak: The Story of an Ascendancy Family in Ireland by Frank Tracy

South Dublin County is fortunate to have the wonderful natural resource that is Lord Massy’s Woods in Killakee, within its boundaries. It’s a popular place for a Sunday afternoon walk, but most will not know of the sad tale of the “penniless peer” and of the descent of the ascendency family associated with Killakee.

For the Sunday woodland walker or the serious historian, this book tells the story of the rise and decline of an ascendancy family. Frank Tracy has thoroughly researched the Massy family and tells their story in a lively, sympathetic way. Photographs of a former age, drawn mainly from the Guinness family collection enhance the telling of the story. (€5)

St. Mochua and the Round Tower by Joe Williams

This book tells the history of the early monastic settlement at Clondalkin, of St Mochua and of Clondalkin Round Tower.

Clondalkin was a very important monastic settlement and its influence spread not just through the Clondalkin area but also through North Kildare where there are a number of monastic settlements attributed to St. Mochua. The coming of Christianity to Ireland and its spread by missionaries such as St. Kevin, St. Ciaran and St Mochua are explored. Clondalkin Round Tower is the foremost National Monument in the Clondalkin area and is a well-known sight to all visitors to the area and for many years the Round Tower has featured on postcards of the area. This book helps to explain its origin and functions.

The author, Joe Williams, is a well-known local historian in the Clondalkin area and is an active member of Clondalkin History Society. (€5)

The Battle of Jadotville by Michael Whelan

The Battle of Jadotville details the story of the Irishmen who fought with “A” Company 35th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Force in the Congo (ONUC). They had the misfortune to suffer greatly at Jadotville in the Province of Katanga in September 1961. Michael Whelan, a native of Tallaght, has been a serving member of the Irish Defence Forces for 16 years. He served with the United Nations peacekeeping forces in South Lebanon (U.N.I.F.I.L.) and Kosovo (K.F.O.R.) He works at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel where he looks after the Air Corps Museum and Heritage Project.  This book derives from the author’s personal interest in Irish military history, in United Nations service and from work undertaken while completing a B.A. in Local History at N.U.I. Maynooth. (€10)

The House of Corkagh by Joe Devine

One of the most important treasures of South Dublin County is the 300 acre Corkagh Park immediately adjacent to the Naas Road and stretching almost a mile to the Village of Clondalkin

Joe Devine is a retired schoolteacher who has a great interest in local history. For more than 25 years he has been researching the history of Corkagh Demesne. Through his research, Joe realised the importance of Corkagh House and Estate in the Clondalkin area and the major role it played in the life and economy of the area. In addition the area was important nationally. John Finlay of Corkagh and his neighbour, Lord Kilwarden of Newlands were members of the Great Parliament of Ireland in 1790. Gunpowder milling at Kilmatead and at Clondalkin was of strategic national importance. (€5)