DFallon recently uploaded a great document regarding the etymology of some Dublin place names and of a 1922 proposal to change some of them. One place name that skipped the Corpo’s attention in that report, and funnily enough ever since then (given that the name involved invokes little but hatred in most Irish people,) is “Cromwell’s Quarter’s,” an unmarked alleyway connecting Bow Lane and James’ Street.
Cromwell's Quarters, 1991. By Tom O'Connor Photography
You can just about make out the street sign in the top left of the photograph, but as you’ll see below, that wall no longer exists, and the street sign has disappeared with it; I’d love to know whose attic its in! Aptly enough, the lane was only renamed Cromwell’s Quarters sometime around 1892, having been recorded in places as “Murdering Lane” in the 18/1900s and “The Murdring Lane” before that, as far back as 1603. A bone of contention this one- whilst many Dublin historians call the haunted steps around St. Auden’s the Forty Steps, Cromwell’s Quarters can also go by the same name. Either way, its not somewhere I’d like to hang around at night…
20 Years later and not much has changed!
Any other references to the man Teflon Bertie once refused a meeting with British Foreign Minister Robin Cook because of in Dublin placenames? (Ahern was due to meet Cook in a room in which a portrait of Cromwell hung. He famously walked out and refused to return until the portrait of “that murdering bastard” had been removed.)
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
No pints in Tommy O’Gara’s until the portrait of that thieving bastard is removed!
Hello there, I lived in bow bridge in the early 70s and the steps were known as the “40 steps”, there was a cosmetic factory at the bottom and a handbag factory at the top, also a wood furniture workshop a the bottom (heitons) not sure but there was a lot going on and felt a bit secret really, I collected fox furs that were thrown out at the top and sometimes lipsticks could be found near the steps from the cosmetics place, brand new, oh and an old car garage at the bottom. I used to wonder about the steps as they were very wide and seemed to take a long time to go up as a kiddie, spookie sometimes.
Maggie
Hi Maggie, In relation to the history of the 40 steps, I can remember a little myself as a little boy born in Bow bridge, I was born in a house beside an old Gentleman by the name of Mr Fenelon ,The Woods lived on the other side of us then, I clearly remember a very big fire in that cosmetic magazine, in which my Farther took photos from the mount brown side of the 40 steps also remember collecting sand from the cement factory for our pet kittens .Funny, I also remember the green and white glow of Murray pub, on our upstairs ceiling at night time, and how the clientele never cared who lived around them with the noise they made at closing time when leaving. I also have a vivid memory of holding my Mammy’s legs as she was constantly cleaning her windows over the dirt Road stone factory created. Give me your thoughts on that one Maggie??
Hi Mages ,its John
the nick name for the cosmetic mag,was the stillo,deos that ring a bell??I remember andy mulhall and john chal,sharky,sean obrian,elizibeat hardyman and the like ,ha ha,great old times,and our excursions into the royal hospital,plus john paul healy,who lived in the garda barracks on military road
Oh and Terry Woods, my grandmother owned the house his family lived in on bowbridge, I was very young but used to remember closing time at murrays pub across the road from my house in bowbridge and the camac behind the pub. The place was totally different then with a cement factory opposite the pub “roadstone” who got away with murder for the dirt and trucks constantly going up and down Kilmainham.
Hi Maggie would you know my family the Brennan’s that lived in bow lane my late grandmother owned a shop there her maiden name was Kathleen Fullerton
I was born and raised just up past murrays pub. Can you remember Maurice Costellos cow yard at the bottom of the 40 steps. I remember all the people you are talking about.
Ah poor old paddy ‘ dead and gone a good few years now. His fathers name was padno. He use to collect what we called the slops’ wasted food bring it back to the yard and boil it up for the bonnets” young pigs. Fatten them up and sell them on.
Brilliant Europhile- There’s the makings of a leaflet in that!!
But he probably has a photo of the Pope in his own gaff. I’d take Cromwell meself.
The Pope, Mick Collins, Jack Charlton and JFK; all the Irish heroes.
Cromwellsfort Rd (Walkinstown)!
Cromwell stayed in a building in Werburgh Street but the Wide Streets Commission knocked it down or so they say…
Very interesting piece.
The street sign appears to have only gone again up recently. Its not on google maps.
I walk the lane on a daily basis on the way to and from work and only noticed the name the other day.
I’ve taken photos of this at night never knew it’s name. good find!
[…] 22, 2011 by hXci I took a swing by the aforementioned Cromwell’s Quarters earlier to get a snap of the recently replaced sign. Whether the old sign was swiped or merely kept […]
I USE TO LIVE IN THE HOUSE AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT OF THE FORTY STEPS /
REFUSING TO EVER ACKNOWLEDGE THE “C” WORD AS PART OF THE ADDRESS IT WOULD HURT THE EARS TO HEAR HIS NAME MENTIONED IN ANY FORUM THAT DID NOT INCLUDE A GENERATIONAL CURSE OF, HE SHOULD BURN IN HELL.
THANK YOU FOR THE WEB PAGE
ANY TRUE BOW LANERS OUT THERE ?
I’m a true bowlaner and very proud of it
Haya micky. What’s new in the gut? Look out or henny will get ya.
I was born and raised just up past murrays pub. Can you remember Maurice Costellos cow yard at the bottom of the 40 steps.
I was wondering if u have any information on the Dempsey family the
their house was at the top of Bow Lane left hand side next to where us as kids took the food for the pigs . Mr Dempsey wore a false lived with his kids as his wife was in a mental health hospital we were great friends with the family but lost touch when we moved away. I keep searching as if the girls got married their names would have changed here s hoping I might find them. Thanks
That would be Bow Lane west rather than Bow Lane East I presume. Cromwell’s reputation doesn’t derive from what he actually did as a soldier. His notoriety is based almost solely on biased accounts by Catholic clerics and Royalists after the Restoration. It say’s a lot for Bertie’s small minded ignorance that he’d welcome a Pope but get all shirty over a painting of a soldier from the 17th century. No wonder the country is in crap.
Larry i lived in Bow lane up to 1956 no 68 as a little girl i do remember a small boy who drowned and he lived near the 40 steps i used to play at the back of our flats thats now apartments my goodness its all changed i remember the 40 steps well i always ran up them to Mount Brown and ran down them i always was in a hurry .
Hi Fran my family come from Bow lane and Mount Brown My Fathers name was Butler but later changed to Draper and my Mothers name was Prendergast if you know them Reply back to my email Erniedrpr@yahoo.ie
That lane was named after Oliver’s SON HENRY not Oliver the planter himself.
Would anyone like a cup of tea…
Hi Ernest sadly i left Bow lane very young (10) and cannot remember any drapers or Prendergast only on our landing where we lived there was the Travers family and when i think back i cannot believe how many families lived at 68 bow Lane in the 1950s. Another name was the Harmons goodness I laugh at my family with all they have and think back to our times with my mam and dad and 6 children all living in 2 rooms with kitchen and toilet no bathroom but we did nt no any different. When i go to Dublin i always try and have a walk down Bow Lane from James St last year when we visited we had a meal in the pub Murrays. Ernest when did you parents leave Bow Lane as they might remember my older sister and brother. Fran
LARRY
Hello Fran, i will never forget bow lane or running up to jamses st church so i could hear Nelly Harmon sing at the mass.
thank you for remembering my brother, his loss is still felt by us.
bow laners had a wealth far beyond money, we had each other
we left bow lane in 1960
every time i go to ireland I take that walk and remember it all so well
my granny lived by the planner up in mount brown her house could be seen from the bottom of the steps as you looked up at mount brown it had a lilac tree in the front
hi fran
thank you for remembering my brother, his loss is still painful.
did you live in the cul de sac ? my friend paul Brennan use to live on the corner,
he came from a large family, his sister married Paddy Harmon
he also had one of Dublins rich characters for an uncle “Skinner Brennan”
On hollween we use to go through one of the granny flats and out into the yard.
the granny would have a ladder against the dirty gray wall of st patricks asylum and all the kids would scurry up the ladder and over the wall into the orchard to steal apples and pears from the trees
the granny would get a percentage of the take on the way out 🙂
Dublin in the rear old times,
a nation once again , a nation once again, no bread ,no butter, no tea ,no sugar but a nation once again
I treasure the memories
Hi larry
Yes I can remember my mam telling us all about the little boy who had died RIP.
Larry i left Bow Lane around 1956 we got a house up in Drimnagh then moved to the UK in 1958 so most of my memories are of the times in Bow Lane. We lived in the flat over the Harmon family I think there was a Paddy Harmon and another brother we all used to play in the street I can also remember a shop on the corner of Kennedys Villas called Fullertons. I can just see my friends and I as kids looking in the shop window and wishing we could buy something to eat. I went to School St School as did my older brother and sister i think a lot of the other families children went to Basin Lane. Larry am i right in thinking that there was a house on the forty steps? I did think there was as its now over 56 years since i lived there. I walked around that area last year when i was over seeing family in Dublin i kinda like to just remember the way it was Larry.
Fran
HI FRAN
it’ a small world after all. yes there once was a house on the forty steps that had cow’s in the yard and i lived in it.
you lived over the harmons then i would know your family i use to play with kids from that landing, did your dad ever use a cane or have a problem with his knee ?
we left for america in 1960, better there then with the english i suppose, but like yourself bow lane is in the blood and like a salmon i lamanted to return home for a long long time, adjusting was not easy
now dublin is no longer the place it once was and the new lords of bow lane feast and want for little, they even call it kilmainham village west, how upper class of them
do you recall the name of the family who lived across from you ?
larry
I’m tempted to think it was O’Brian
larry
Hi Larry I ve got my brother also called Larry sitting in my kitchen telling him ive mananaged to talk to someone from Bow Lane . He said the people on our landing were called the travers family we are the Forans is your your name Costello my brother is 69 so can remember a bit more than me Larry.
The Brennans and the Hylands lived near that corner do you know we can see the area as it was a lot better than it is today sadly.
Fran.
do you rember kinsellas shoe makers and the ryan family who lived in kennedys villas!!!
yes the family name is costello your brother has an excellent memory
those days and places are now shadows in the halls of our memory
he prob knows my cousin terry woods he lived across from murrys
Larry have you ever been told about vacant land nearly facing where we lived in Bow Lane. My brother said this land belonged to the British and Cromwell was mentioned regarding this plot of land it had a rule nothing could ever be built there..
Another question for you Larry did you ever know anyone on Bow Lane named Dempseys they lived in a house at the top of Bow lane West. The father as i can remember had a house maybe like your own with a yard he was nice man who was left to bring up the young family after his wife went to a special hospital. Larry I was friendly with his daughters Kathleen and Pasty ive been searching for a few years and been on a few sites we were all good pals who didnt have much in material things but such a lot in other ways.
Fran
hi fran
sorry but i dont recall the names, but do remember some of the homes on the right as you walked up bow lane, i do recall a little blond girl who i think lived across from you
yes there was an open lot across from the flats im not sure why it was kept undeveloped, it might have been a grave yard at some point.
i could see it through the landing window as i sat on my popo 🙂 and on full moon nights let my imagination run amuck
did your brother pal with liam harmon or ado harmon ?
Larry
I ll keep searching for the Dempseys it s just that the years seem to fly bye . My brother had many friends because there did seem to be so many kids living on Bow lane and the Kennendy s villas ( cul-de-sac) but the friend he often mentions is Sonny Dempsey the brother of my friends. Last year we went over for a break went into Murrays pub and had some food it was a warm day so we thats my sisters and I went walking up Kilmainham we did think how much the area had been built up with more housing but we were pleased the cottages are still there.
On one of the Dublin Forum sites when looking for my friends from Bow Lane a member did say that the Harmon boys had passed away RIP
As far as I know’ Paddy harmon is still alive to this day.
hello larry. just came across this page and was reading your messages. i lived just up past murrays pub just at the field across from the robbers den. you were talking about a boy being drowned i think he was maurice costelloes son i remember the mother telling me about it when i was small. his father had the cow yard at the bottom of the 40 steps. sadly paul brennan was killed in an accident back in late 1960s or early 70s. my name is fran o loughlin.
EDIT: eh me again made a big mistake with last text. it wasnt paul that died. he is alive and well and living in drogheda last i heard . it was his brother {kipper} who died back in 1970.
hi ya trish
say hello on facebook trish
larry
[…] Quarters has featured on CHTM […]
I went to school with a girl from Bow Lane – Eileen kearney, she had a brother Paddy. They shared a house with relatives. They lived on the left hand side as you go down the lane from James St. They kept pigs in the back yard.
Their name was Mc Carthy, I sold them slop for the pigs, to make some money for the Lyric.
Ah poor old paddy ‘ dead and gone a good few years now. His fathers name was padno. He use to collect what we called the slops’ wasted food bring it back to the yard and boil it up for the bonnets” young pigs. Fatten them up and sell them on.
Hi I’ve just noticed on one of ur texts u mentioned u had some photos of houses on Kennedy s villas oh I’d luv to see them I can still picture them in my memory thank u if u post Fran
I noticed u said u had some pics of Kennedy Villas I would love to c them – Fran
The Forty Steps were actually an entrance to Cromwell’s Quarters which included Irwin Street. The hill above Irwin Street was known to the locals as Cromwell’s Cabbage Patch, probably because locals had an allotment there. The end house, long since demolished, was inhabited by Grattan Puxon, a young English journalist and a descendant of Henry Grattan. He helped the Travellers with their first campaign for civil rights in the early ‘Sixties and his barrel-top wagon could be seen parked on the hill above his house.
The original Cromwell Cabbage Patch was at the end of Cathedral Lane off Kevin Street, where the remnants of the Huguenot Graveyard can still be seen today.
I lived in Mt Brown in the fifties and spent quite some time in Bow Lane. I’ll throw in a clatter of names just to get yiz all thinking!!.Paddy Fortune, Larry Harmon, Lizzy Fullertons shop. Mr Draper was a news vendor who, with the Rooney;s managed a large paper around Crumlin. Paddy Rooney and his Mother and Father took part. Pat Lynch, The Murray’s, Meades. In the Square was Johnny Kinsella, Tony Conway, the Miley’s. Patsy and Tina Roberts.The Hylands who were related to the Fullertons. Tony Clinton and his Sister??. The Butlers whose Father worked in the Corpo, Sons Sean, Eric,Noel,Richard, Dan. Stallards lived next door in a shop fronted house. Who worked in Halpins mattress factory?. Don’t forget Murrays pub, Jack Douglas’s shop, Terry Woods who went on to be a Singer and his Wife Gay. I think Terry was related to Jack Douglas. Jackie Davis. There was a made up song circulating in the area around the fifties about Lizzy Fullerton…..”Oul Lizzy Fullerton was afraid of her life that skinner would come to her during the night” memory fading out on that one. Anyone remember that song? .Anyone remember “the Robbers Den .The famous pastime in the area then, was going over the wall at the end of Kennedy’s Villas and robbing the orchard in St Patrick’s Asylum. Hadn’t got the guts to do that one meself, you needed to have nerves of steel for that.
My family lived in the flat over the harmon family can remember a few of the names you mentioned when im over in dublin i try and take a walk down bow lane i know its changed a lot sith the new housing but i think its my age i like to rember how it was in the 1950s. My older brother used to tell me about the kids going over the wall to the orchard . I have tried on different dublin sites to see if i could find any photographs of the flats we lived in and find out what years they were built .
Send me your e mail I have one or two photos of kennedys villas
Have u got some pic of Kennedy villas love to see them.
HI James, did you know The Brocklebanks from the square, my granny lived in Mount Brown the Gormans. Good to hear the old storys my name is John but i was called Seanny,as there was that many Johns in our family, Hah Hah, take care.
I remember a lad named Alfie Brocklebank, I think he worked on the buses. Another relation was a young lad Stephen Reynolds they lived near Near Con O Leary.on the top left hand side of the hill.
Hi James, my family come from bow lane . my granny had a shop there up in the fifties and later moved into kennedys villas, do you remember them, the mangans.
Regards
Michael Mangan
I lived on the steps leading into Cameron Square, behind Mr. Whites house the one that had the orchard in the back. I would know the Harmon’s, Storeys, Turners, Phealans, Tucker Roberts (RIP) of Mt Brown and the Murray’s Con & Bernard of Bow Lane. There is a good website to have a look at http://www.jambo59.com or it could be 58. There are lots of football pics there as well as confirmation pics plus other links with photos with names and maybe you can recognise some of the lads there.
Jim Carwood
Hi Michael. I remember your gran and your dad and I loved your gran a real lady, Granny Mangan as she was known to me. I wanted her knitting needles when she died but they were given to Granny Butler.
Pat Lynch who lived on the far side of the road opposite Lizzie Fullerton’s shop went to school with me in John’s Lane, but not before he left his little Sister into the Creche at the top end of Meath St close to Baker’s Pub. I had to abandon that one, as he kept me late for for School most of the time. Oh by the way if I ever find the whore who started my nickname, I’ll break his neck . It was Madser!!, anyone remember!!
One strange memory has just come to me. I remember someone getting into trouble around the early fifties, he was experimenting on how to make a gun using copper tubing, putting a slit in one end at the top and stuffing the inside with lead and sulphur from matches and a small ball bearing. When the “gun” went off, it jumped in the air and nearly put a woman’s eye out. Don’t remember who it was, honest!!. It definitely wasn’t me!!!!!!. I just remember the name, I’m not squealing either, no matter how much you offer me. “Mum’s the word”.
Yeh James thats my brother Alfie, is it the cummins your thinking about Francis he is a good friend of Cons ?.
Dear John, You can contact me on Facebook it would be much easier.
Hi All, Myself and my sisters are doing family tree. we found these comments amazing, My Mam lived in 68 Bow Lane and we recognise some of the names you talked about, My Mam was Marie Kenny, she had a sister Alice who went on to become a Nun. Bride Sutton was their cousin who reared them, as their parents passed when they were very young (Billy and Chrissie Kenny) Jim Sutton was Bridies brother who lived there also. Bridies friend was Rose Flynn. My Great Grandmother Alice O Brien lived in number 6 Bow Lane. Mams cousins lived in Bow Lane too they were the Thompsons. If anyone remembers any of these we would love to hear from you.
Claire O’Reilly
my mother and her family where great friends of jim sutton
Hi Johnny, ah what is your surname and your mother’s name we might remember uncle Jim talking about them?
I lived on the 52 steps, which are the steps that leave you to Cameron Square, from the main road called Faulkners Terrace, I went to Jambo in the 50’s and there is a very interesting website jambo59.com which features a lot of old photos of communion and confirmation and school football photos which might stir some memories. I remember a lot of the names that are mentioned and a lot of you may remember St Bridgids Club. There are some pics of that era on there site. _~ JIm Carwood
Hello Jim, l hope that you are well, l used to live in Cameron Square (7)l well remember your lovely house fronting onto Whites orchard (remember Pearly, stunning )l’ve still got fond memories of those days and going down the 52″s every day to Basin Lane don’t know if you also went to the same school. Take good care.
I remember you well Martin, your bro Pat and Rose. I met Rose about 2 years ago, she never changed. Where did you get to after all these years?
Hi Jim Carwood Did you or your family know the O Reillys at 22 cameron square . Or the Rainers . .? My dad lived there we used to visit when we were small .
Jim Carwood. Yes l knew the Rainers and Reillys. John and Philip Rainer were a bit younger than l, but l did know them but not too well. I think John lives now on Brookfield Road. The Reillys lived at the top of the steps, l’ve known them when growing up.
Hello Audrey, l lived in Cameron Square and Philip Rainer was one of my best pals as a boy, got into a lot of scrapes with him, l hope this is of some interest to you.
My father came from 7.1 in Kennedy’s Villas his name was Nicholas Corcoran
dose anyone remember the Corcorans
Hello Allison ahh lovely u can remember some of the people who lived at 68 Bow Lane my sister Joan Foran who was the eldest Foran was great friends with the Celia Travers ahh sadly Joan has passed away but we can remember few of the people u mentioned. We lived over the Harmons they had sons paddy I think x another son . About 47 years ago we came to visit Bow lane but sad people had all moveed out but mrs Harmon still there x brought my sister x myself in to her house I wished we had taken few photos as u can’t get those days back .,I was over 5 years ago from the uk X l always walk down Bow Lane x walk up the 40 Steps god we had some happy days there in the 1950s Allison
dose any body remember a christinr tyrrell back in the 30/40 in bow lane
My father, John Gogan, during the Easter Rising in 1916 was in the 4th Battalion, No 1, Dublin Brigade IRA. with others ordered to occupy Roe’s Distillery, South Dublin and detached to guard an approach thereto viz. Cromwell’s Quarters.
Does anybody remember the Mannings from Bow lane?….Elizabeth, Joan,Patrica,Margie,Brian,Noel and Peter.Sadly Margie,Brian,Noel and Elizabeth (My Mam) now deceased…we are having a Manning family reunion next month and if anybody has any info or photos of the area, I’d love to hear about them or see photos….I only work in the Eircom building at Heuston and can meet anytime…Bernard Manning (CIE) and his wife Margaret (I think) had a small shop for a while in Bow lane near Kennedys Villas as far as I can remember….when Margaret died Bernard remarried a Connie Flanagan who lived in the last cottage up the high road on the right facing the Royal Oak. and they then lived in Ceantt Fort…Thanks Paul Boylan.
Hi there, does anyone remember my mother’s family, the Miley family who lived in Kennedys Villas? My nanna Mary Byrne married Miles Miley and lived in I think number 14,they had a big family, my mam was their daughter Mary Miley (Molly) born in 1919 in Kennedys Villas, her brothers were Larry, Toby, Miles and Johnny Miley. As a child I use to visit, I remember the Flynn family, Rose, Sally, Mary and Annie Flynn. They moved to Nash street Inchicore, years later. I remember the shop on corner of Bow lane. I’m a granddaughter of the Miley family, living in Australia now, treasured memories i have of my Dublin 8 childhood, my mam spoke of a Costello family too. Just wish I could share these memories with my man, ahh treasured memories xxx
Can anyone help me I need more information on the three houses that are up the hill towards IMMA. They are opposite the apartments. I think its more Irwin Street. Was there ever a tragedy there?
Anybody remember mad Sarah or henny from tnr rosd stone?
Hi Lee, just seen your comment about my granny mangan my father Mick who drove a truck for smurfits died in 2013 he was 84 , Lee did you live in kennedys villas , regards Michael Mangan
Hi Michael. did you live in your grans for a while after she passed away and then move to Islandbridge?
Hi Eileen,
Its a long time since I visited this site, but your right I did live in Kennedys villas after my granny died and then I moved to Islanbridge ,
Some great memories from kennedys villas ,I can remember lizzy Merrigan Mrs Butler .
Kindest regards
Michael
Hi everyone. I recognize some of the names here. I too lived in Kennedy’s Villas. We lived the last on the right. just after Granny Mangan. next was Granny Duggan. then us. Across from us were Kate Byrne. above her were the Walshe’s. I remember Mick Mangan very well and when I needed a bit of wool I would call into Granny Mangan and she would always have the colour I was looking for,
How are you doing Mickey Brennan? long time no see I reckon about 35 years or more.
Earno Draper how are you doing?.
Fran O Loughlin how are you doing?.
Eileen Mcmanus.
John Russell, My family was from Bow lane and High road, Can you email me if you see this, barryrussell2@hotmail.com Thanks.
Hi I’ve been on this site on x off over the years I used to live in 68 Bow lane till the late 1950s when our family went to the UK. I’ve been looking for the Dempsey family who lived in a house on the left side hand side of Bow Lane . As I’m getting older would love to be able to get in touch with them I had heard their mam went into a hospital with mental health issues x their dad Mr Dempsey took the family to Manchester UK . . If anybody has any information about what happened to them I really would appreciate your help. My family s name was Foran x my friends was Pasty x Kathleen Dempsey they had a brother called Seanny they would all be in their 70 s now . Thanks Fran
Hi Fran, my aunt Bridie Sutton lived in 68 as well,with her brother Jim. we often stayed over and I loved it because she’d always spoil us and give us a few bob to go to the shop on the corner 🙂 My mam lived in Kennedy’s villas for a while when she was very young, Marie Kenny, and her sister Alice who later became a nun. Number 38 I think. They lost both parents very young, in the 40s and went to live with their great aunt Annie (Sutton) Hutchinson in 68. I know my great granny Alice (O’Brien) Sutton lived in number 6 and my dad used to call it the house of ushers like the scary movie because even back then it was very spooky!
I remember Mrs Harmon lived downstairs and I called in for a message one day as a kid, and I was blown away by the nic nacs she had, and the fact that she had a piano in that little front room! I think I remember the name Maggie Lynam from my aunt, they were close friends and may have worked in the laundry together. Celia Travers and Rose Flynn were great pals of hers as well.There was also an elderly man my mam spoke of often, Curley Kinsella, he was very good to them after they lost their parents. Someone mentioned O’Briens earlier, they would have been Mam’s cousins as would the Thompsons, Charlie, Bernard, Brian and Grace.
I’d love to see old photo’s of the area if anyone has them to share
I’m very interested to read of the history (well the 40’s and 50s of the “Forty Steps” and Bow Lane ). I had a relative, I think her name was Duff and she and her English-born husband (we called him “Uncle Ted) had a tiny shop where they sold paraffin oil and other small sundries. They had a daughter, she may have been adopted, and her name was Daisy McBean. There was a family named McCabe a door or two past that little shop. My Aunt Barbara Feehan lived at 176 James Street, directly opposite the “Union.” My family, May (sister to Barbara) and Mick Carroll lived on the North Side of Dublin, in Eccles Street and Drumcondra, but we often visited and walked and played on the 40 Steps on our way to the Phoenix Park. That was a long, long time ago..but, I remember it very well and all the lovely people there. The “Forty Steps” and Bow Lane always have a place in my heart…good luck to all of you…Maura Carroll-Gonzalez
Cromwell’s Quarters is not named after Oliver Cromwell.It is named after Henry Cromwell, son of Oliver who was the Chief Governor of Ireland..He resided in the Phoenix House nearby.
At the top of the steps on the left hand side was a house attached to a school where St. Columba schoolteacher Ossian O Kelly was born. He was the sculptor of the Dublin James Larkin and James Connolly statues among others.
Seamus O’D
Hello Allison ahh lovely u can remember some of the people who lived at 68 Bow Lane my sister Joan Foran who was the eldest Foran was great friends with the Celia Travers ahh sadly Joan has passed away but we can remember few of the people u mentioned. We lived over the Harmons they had sons paddy I think x another son . About 47 years ago we came to visit Bow lane but sad people had all moveed out but mrs Harmon still there x brought my sister x myself in to her house I wished we had taken few photos as u can’t get those days back .,I was over 5 years ago from the uk X l always walk down Bow Lane x walk up the 40 Steps god we had some happy days there in the 1950s Allison
Hello Fran. My name is Mary, I dearly hope you still visit this site, and read this message. Do you still keep in touch with Larry Costello, I would love to get in touch with him. We are related, and sadly lost touch as children when we left Dublin. Larry would remember my dad Johnny Tobin.
Hope to hear from you Fran.
Mary.
Hi Mary no only on this site as my brother could remember his family when they lived in Bow Lane he did say he lived abroad not in the U.K. But I kinda thought he d moved back to Dublin. Did ur Da live in Bow Lane as we left Dublin xx moved to the Uk X for years I’ve been searching for my friends the Dempsey family with no success I’ve been told they left Bow Lane x went to the USA it’s just as I’m getting older the Dempsey girls wud b in their 70 s too so if anyone cud give me any info I’d be delighted to hear from them . Mary there is some Dublin Forum sites they might help to find Larry as I’ve been on other sites over the years looking for family when I was doing our family tree . Good luck Mary
Hi Fran This site brings a warm smile to my face whenever I come across it
the name of old neighbors and friends
I remember racing up to mass on James street to hear Nellie Harmon sing
Mary did her research and found me on Facebook I remember her family very well I was delighted to hear from her.
For all it’s quirks in this case Facebook served a good purpose
I think about living ion the forty steps and the fun times I had playing in bow lane and bore the hell out of my kids telling them about it
When we went to Dublin in 2016 and 2018 bow lane and the forty steps are places they love to see
Ahh Larry I’m glad Mary was able to to contact u through Facebook As u know I’ve been on x off this site for good few years now looking for my childhood friends the Dempsey girls sadly I’ve no information if they had marriage name I’ve hit a brick wall with my search I’m afraid. Like u my young days on Bow Lane were my happiest cant believe how we would play out on that road hardly any traffic x yet the last time I was down that way 2o15 it was so busy on the road hopefully 2020 I’ll get there x do my usual route walk down Bow Lane up the forty steps have a walk near mount brown back round to Kilmanham my family smile when I talk about it they ll say let’s go by car I insist I want to walk happy days Larry.
Nice u go back to Bow Lane now x again I still visit x llove to walk up the forty steps my kids laugh as well x say why to u have to do ur tour around that area well it’s a place I can say was big party of my childhood x they friends I made I’m still trying to search for Demoseys girls no look Larry I keep trying
Larry glad Mary was able to get in touch through Facebook it s a handy site at times for getting in touch with people. Yes I still walk about Bow Lane when I’m over in Dublin for a .few days happy memories from that area Larry
Hi Larry glad Mary found you Facebook handy at times. I’m hoping to go to Dublin in the new year x have my trip around Bow Lane although some of my family keep saying be careful as area is not what it use to b well Larry is nt that the same U.K. where l live i has changed terribly sad in a way but I’ll still have my walkabout around Bow Lane all being well.
What a wonderful site, and trip down memory lane aka Bow Lane!! My mother’s family the Miley family were born in Kennedys Villas, number 14 if I recall correctly. My grandad was Miles Miley, as a child we use to visit, ahh such warm memories, the Flynn family lived opposite, my aunties, Rose, Annie, Sally, Mary Flynn. The Byrne family lived at end of the cul d sack, also related by marriage.Rose and Mary relocated to Nash street, Inchicore, as did my aunt Annie Flynn, whom married my mother’s brother Larry Miley. I’m in my 60’s now, living in Australia, but I have treasured memories of these great families of Kennedys Villas, the forty steps, please email me if you remember my family, bless you all. My names Maria, my email is pmoo97034@gmail.com
Hi. Great to read all the stories as I have been helping my wife explore her family history which has many connections to Bow Lane West and the surrounding streets. Her grandmother Anne Mulhall (who married a Patrick Maher) was born at No 11 Bow Lane West which was run by her great-grandparents as a lodging house back at the turn of the 20th century – with several army pensioners as lodgers in 1901 census. The family name was Mulhall and an Aunt Mary Coffey lived with her family first in Kennedy Villas and then at 11 Bow Lane – until she died there in 1959. Do the names Coffey or Mulhall ring a bell in anyone’s memories! Might be a bit too long ago. My wife remembers stories that her grand aunt Mary Coffey hid guns for the IRA in the piggery at the back of her house and that two of her sons (one probably called Henry Coffey) took opposite sides in the civil war but once under her roof they were forbidden to talk politics! We have no photographs from the time and would love to see any which anyone has of Bow Lane in the early twentieth century but mostly we would love to know if anyone recalls the Coffey family of 11 Bow Lane!
I lived at 19 bow bridge. My gran owned the two houses on either side of the house. There used to be a cosmetic warehouse and a furniture maker at the bottom of the steps. A garage for fixing cars was opposite them. A fur factory was at the top of the steps, or handbag factory where I found some offcuts of lovely smelling fur which I took home as a kid and kept in my wardrobe for years while we lit at bow bridge, Margaret
Does anyone remember the McEvoy family who lived in Kennedy Villas?
Hello Audrey, l lived in Cameron Square and Philip Rainer was one of my best pals as a boy, got into a lot of scrapes with him, l hope this is of some interest to you.