As a poster on Boards.ie stated recently – “Rathmines has always been odd like that, in that you have … urban poverty mixed in closely with affluence.”
From the early 1900s to the late 1970s, only a couple of streets separated the gorgeous Georgian houses of Mount Pleasant Square and the poverty-stricken slum of Mount Pleasant Buildings.
Mount Pleasant Square. (Credit – Archiseek poster ‘GrahamH’)
Mount Pleasant Square, described by Susan Roundtre “as one of the most beautiful early 19th-century squares in Dublin” and by GrahamH from Archiseek as “one of the most charming enclaves of Georgian houses in the city”, was built in the 1830s. Mainly occupied by doctors and solicitors, they had squash, badminton and tennis courts as well as a private garden on their doorstep.
The two areas in Rathmines, c1907
Mount Pleasant Buildings, a stones throw away, were a block of ten large flats situated in a small area on the hill between Ranelagh and Rathmines. They later became a by-word for poverty and bad planning.
Rathmines Urban District Council started building the blocks around 1901, to provide accommodation for the “working classes” of the area. They were taken over, as was the Council by Dublin Corporation in 1930, and completed in 1931. In all there were 246 flats; 60 one-roomed, 150 two-roomed and 36 three-roomed.
Mount Pleasant Buildings, date unknown. (Dublin.ie user – woodies)
Rampant unemployment and a lack of basic sporting and community facilities led to anti-social behaviour. The former caretaker of the Buildings has said that “things really started to come apart in the late ’40s”. Petty crime and anti-social behaviour increased. The area began to attract a bad name for itself. Journalist Maev Ann Wren summed up the situation by saying that “if all these inadequate or problem families are placed together it seems inevitable that a problem area will result”.
A documentary from the late 1960s on Dublin poverty focused on Mount Pleasant Buildings. It speaks for itself:
Former resident and author Lee Dunne published his best-selling Goodbye to the Hill in 1965. It was a fictionalised account of growing up in the area. Banned due to some sexual content, it went onto sell over a million copies.
(Another famous resident was the film star Constance Smith who lived there with her family in the 1940s)
In April 1966, Michael Vinny in The Irish Times described Keogh Square, Corporation Place and Mount Pleasant Buildings as “the three Dublin ghettos … used by the Corporation as dumping grounds for problem families.”
In January 1970, the Trinity News paper reported on its front page about a group of students in Ranelagh who were “attacked, terrorised and beaten up by hooligans” who tried to gate crash a party they were having. The students were attacked by bottles, frying pans, belts and metal bars. Two of their windows were put in. It was noted that the “attackers disappeared into the nearby Mount Pleasant Buildings, a Corporation house area popularly known as ‘The Hill’ (which) is notorious for gang violence”.
Eileen O’Brien column in The Irish Times in December 1970 was particularly harrowing. Titled ‘Living in fear in Ranelagh’, she talked to a number of frightened residents including an old woman who after coming home from a short stay in hospital found her flat wrecked and her clothes, coal and a statue of the Sacred Heart, that had belonged to her father, robbed.
Mountpleasant Buldings 1973. (Credit – dublin.ie user Mountpleasant damntheweatherman)
In June 1973, a former resident who had recently moved into new corporation flats in Fenian Street had this to say about Mount Pleasant Buildings:
(It) was an awful place. We had only a communal toilet and wash-house. You had to go down a passage for water and the windows were getting broke all the time. It was a woeful place to live in, woeful … (It) was not too bad at first. I was there 17 years, and at first they you alone. Lately there are gangs there … You could not go out.
In the 1970s, the buildings were “deemed unfit for human habitation” and the first block was demolished in October 1972. By July 1977, only ten families remained. Six were squatting.
Author Lee Dunne. The Sunday Independent, 17 July 1977.
By March 1979, only one block out of ten was still standing. Maev Ann Wren in The Irish Times wrote:
…the community is now scattered. Tenants in condemned blocks receive priority on the corporation waiting list. They are all over the city; in York Street, Holylands, Ballymun, Clondalkin. Many would prefer to be rehoused locally but there is very little corporation housing in the area. Rathmines is one of the few mixed areas in the city, but to a decreasing extent. Property values rise as the more affluent move back into the city and the poorer must move out to new corporation estates and less mixed areas.
Soon to be demolished Mount Pleasant Buildings. The Sunday Independent, 17 July 1977.
The flats were replaced with low density, corporation houses based around the new streets of Swan Grove and Rugby Villas.
The view then:
Mount Pleasant Buildings, date unknown. (Credit – Dublin.ie user DAMNTHEWEATHER)
The view now:
Today’s view, Oxford Road. (Credit- thedublinforums.com user ‘guevara’)
Here’s what it looks like on the map:
Mount Pleasant Buildings and surrounding area. c1907
Swan Grove and surrounding area. c2012
The area’s problems did not vanish overnight. Anti-social behaviour still plagued the area and Martin Cahill (The General) was one if its more infamous residents in the 1990s. He and his family had lived in the equally run-down, nearby Hollyfield Buildings in the 1970s. He was shot dead by the PIRA in August 1994 just around the corner, at the road junction where Oxford Road meets Charleston Road.
Today, The Hill pub (formerly Kennedys) still acts as a reminder for the area’s chequered past:
The Hill pub. (Credit – Lisa, http://builtdublin.com)
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
Very interesting and informative piece, especially with the maps and images. Many thanks.
Thanks very much; succinct yet thorough. Very useful for Geography in schools.
I agree. Fascinating read. Fair play for bringing it to us!
Jaycarax, Off topic, but about a similar issue in a different setting: You might be interested in a new history of St Joseph’s BNS in Clondalkin. It includes an inspectors’ report from 1876 of the precursor school, in which he found that the Carmelites were improperly running two schools under the guise of a single school: one for the boys of better-off families, one for the boys from poorer families.
Thanks!
[…] and 1911, unusual religions in the 1911 census, daylight robbery – Hugh Lane paintings and The Hill – Rathmine’s working class […]
many families moved from Mount Pleasent Buildings to Holylands, Churchtown (just east of The Nutgrove SC). Crime soared and the estate had to be re-named in an effort to ‘start afresh’ becoming Carrickmount and MountainView.
One of the most notorious families from there were The Dunnes who were the heroin king pins of the early 80s. Another unnamed family, who would have been the lowly, foot soldiers of heroin dealing and then drug abuse, still have some offspring who can be found begging at the Good Shepherd church or the local supermarket.
After The Free State was formed, Rathmines was the only area in Dublin which elected Unionist candidates. I always felt it was because of this, in the early decades of Independance, that the Corpo included a lot of ‘social housing’ in the area. Or maybe they just didn’t maintain the ‘social housing’ in this area allowing it to fall into disrepair.
It seemed as if there was a need to punish the genteel residents or to try and create a demographic more representative of the city/nation. I think this didn’t happen in the areas now inhabited by Ross O’Carroll Kelly-types as they were less populated and hadn’t previously maintained their own urban council like Rathmines Borough Council (Maurice Dockrell, Fine Gael).
Great article, very helpful in researching some old family ties! I know it’s a long shot but the Devlin family were in this area in the 1920s and onwards, a family of 14 children. If anyone researching has any info feel free to reply!
Hi Chloe, see my reply below re the Devlin family. I might be able to help you.
I know this is an old post, but my grandmother was Susan Devlin, and her mother was also called Susan. They lived in mount pleasant buildings. Is this the family you’re researching?
Hi Deanne
I know this is old post but If you’d like to message me, I think my great grandmother and your grandmother were sisters.
I know some of the children were called Matthew, Charlie, Paddy, John, Michael, Tommy, Larry, Josie, Theresa, Mary and Chris. The parents were Patrick Devlin and Bridget Devlin (formerly Murphy)
Thanks for the reply. Do you know a dob for Patrick Devlin? My grandmother was Susan Devlin born 1908. I’m wondering if they were siblings. Susan’s parents were Susan and Andrew. Susan senior died in the 1940s, still living at Mount Pleasant buildings. I’m very interested in finding out more.
i lived there good memerys there
I lived in Mt Plesant Bldgs for a number of yrs as a child, there were the happyest yrs of my life, we just got on with life unaware that we had such a bad reputation, I did find it strange when I would go on my walks up to Palmerstown Park that we were liveing in close proximity to some of the wealthest people in Dublin, I think pehaps this made some in Mt P a little confused.
Hi Noel, Did your family happen to live in Charlemont Place before Mount Pleasant , I know of a John Cahill (he could be a relative) from charlemont originally, he died very young in 1939 after he married and was living in rathmines, he previously had an address at mount pleasant terrace?
kind regards
catherine
Catherine, Did you know of a Bridie Fallon in 16 Charlemont Place – she was definitely there in 1939
Hi sorry no I am researching the Cahill family so sorry I’m no help, are you just starting research do you need help ?
Kind regards
Catherine
[…] has featured on CHTM before, with this article from Sam looking at working class housing in the area. Dublin Fire Brigade and the Irish […]
I have just read the above article ,i remember visiting here in the 60’s as my mum was brought up by an aunt in the cottages across the road ,but i cannot remember what they were called ? if anybody has any information regarding these cottages please reply .
I have just started to research my mum’s family (Burke’s) she lived there from when she was 2 yrs ,after the death of her mother ,until the 1950’s .I would be very grateful for any help .
Thanks.
Hi Sue,
I grew up in this area, in Charleston Avenue. I remember Gullistan Cottages well. I would walk through this way (which was a shortcut) on my way to primary school, at St. Louis National School.in the 1960’s. There was a small shop in between the houses in Gullistan, I think it was called Turleys. .
We had a great childhood growing up in the area, with hardly a car in our neighbourhood, we entertained ourselves playing street games. There were enough kids on our street to have a lot of fun. Good Memories.
We came to Chester road to live
With my aunts in 1957 my brother Paul and I went to Richmond hill school ok the buildings were shit but so many nice people lived there loved the handball alley u learnt everything fast u had to
Loved it ranelagh rathmines knew the whole area Moved away in 70 to jersey happy days
hi sue, there were cottages right beside mountpleasent buildings in 60s and 70s called walkers cottages.
I think they were called Gulistan Cottages or some Name like that
Catherine, thanks for that. I am specifically looking for Bridie Fallon. If I even knew her age in 1939 it would be a great help, or where she worked. She would have been very close to St Ultan’s and might have worked there. Coincidentally although I was born in Derry in November 1942, I lived for a time (from about 1944 – 1950) in Belgrave Terrace and was very familiar with the whole area. It was a most wonderful pace to live.
Hi all. I bought a house in Old Mt Pleasant (no.4) in 2009 and spent a long hard year restoring it to its former glory. It’s a beautiful house (as are the others on the terrace). The house dates to the 1770s!! Certainly the neighbourhood has a chequered history but I can gladly say that it has improved significantly now and is a normal peaceful area to live (except for when the kids are having playtime in the new primary school!!). Oh,….when my daughter was c.2 years old, she had an “imaginary” friend called Babas (?) who was a small child in the house and wouldn’t leave because he didn’t want to ‘get on the boat’. Any one know of any young child who lived on the terrace and drowned on a boat (maybe while travelling to US, UK etc in search of a better life)..Thanks
Hi Terry,
I grew up in that house! We moved there in 1978 and I believe my folks bought it off an old couple. There were very few kids on that stretch of road at the time, just us (Kellys), the Hunts down the road and for a while in the 80s the Menage’s were in No. 3.
My mother, Deirdre Kelly, wrote a lovely history of the area – Four Roads to Dublin – it’s well worth a read
I have just read the above article and viewed the documentary. I found the documentary most interesting as it shed a new light and gave me a new perspective on things. I grew up near Mount Pleasant Buildings in the 1960’s and there were kids in my class who lived there. I went to school in St. Louis National School, and the Louis Nuns were on the whole kind. We learned Home Economics, cooking part in 6th class, which was unusual for those times. The nuns would bring the kids from Mount Pleasant Buildings for a cookery class on Saturday mornings.
Some of the kids were quite rough and were bullies. They would gang up on us on our way home from school and try to take our schoolbags. After watching the documentary, I now realise how lucky I was, even though we didn’t have much and were not well off by any means, it makes me angry to know that these people were treated in this way, a lot of them living in one roomed flats in the 1960’s, with no toilet facilities etc. It is no wonder that so many of the kids at school were out regularly, either sick or playing truant. They had nowhere to do homework etc. I remember Rafters and Shevlins shops on Oxford Road, just opposite Mountpleasant Buildings. It was very near to go to get milk or bread, if we ran out, but you couldn’t be sure if your money would be taken from you. These people had nothing..
Thanks for putting up the documentary. I never knew what the flats were like or how small they were.
I lived there in the early 70s and had a great time
was bimbo cooney related to you
Sorry for not getting back to Margaret yes bimbo is my brother
Hi Martin your dad a painter and did you live by the Iona shop think I was in school with you younger brother Christy Thomas Little.
Hi Chloe, I replied to your post re the Devlins but not sure you got it ? Let me know here, as I will retry.
Hello I can’t find a reply! Thank you for getting back to me.
Hi Twynk, my grandmother was Susan Devlin, and her mother was also called Susan. They lived in mount pleasant buildings. Do you have further information on the family?
Anyone, besides me, notice the contempt on the interviewer’s face as he spoke to the people. We, as a nation, are still as corrupt as those days. Too much of a gap between the haves and have nots. Shameful episode of our history. Any wonder our crime rates are the highest in Europe? Social malaise.
Fully agree with you man. The reporter stunk of snobbery, and lacked empathy/understanding of those people’s plights, and just because his life was going well for him that was all that mattered. Attitudes are changing in this century, albeit slowly.
Anyone have info or pics of Brennan barbershop 13 upper rathmines Rd. Michael Brennan was my grandfather….
Barber shop was michael j brennan and when my grandfather died by uncles, Mikey and John brennan ran it….anyone know them?
hi pat my mother lived in rathmines and my father lived in richmond hill all there life i can ask my mother she might know shes 87 and my fathers family still live there
I lived in mountpleasantbuildingsdublin with my Aunty Annie she was a good woman she had 10 Children of her Own and me and my sister Bernadette my best friend was DEIRDRE CRAIG .We lived on OXFORD ROAD it was A 3 ROOMED FLAT and it was kept very clean we had a toilet but no bath .But we had a big tin bath we were kept clean our aunty ANNIE did the best job she could .It was not as bad as you make it out to be I got married in1974 .I went to st. Louis national school in Rathmines we were not backers .we were not well off but we were loved and cared for My Name Was June ConWay I LOVED MY AUNTY ANNIE Very much
there was good memerys there michael my family lived there for a time then we got a house in milltown not far from churchtown road, we moved out in 1955,then i went back a few years later and stead there for a few years, it was to me a grand place to live, im sure others would disigree.
Hey my name is Audrey Dempsey Annie was my grandmother my dad name was aiden Dempsey the son off Annie and aiden Dempsey Nick name jockser.
Hi Audrey, are you any relation to James Joseph Dempsey b1903, mother Elizabeth? He was my grandad. He lived in Rathmines and married Susan Devlin in 1931. Would love any contact or info on them.
Hi I will ask my mam what my grandad dad name was then I will be able to tell u if there were related
i knew aiden dempsy well, havent seen him and many more since i left the buildings back in 73
Dear Audrey , my dad Eddie Dunne was born & reared together in mount pleasant buildings , we knew the Dempsey well ; great family , I do pass and lement at joxer and Annie grave when iam visiting dads grave , up the billos , we were born & reared in number 31 mount pleasant buildings ; 👍
Hi annie is my grandmother I’m the daughter off her son aiden Dempsey
Hi my name is Audrey dempsey .Annie was my nanny my granddads name was aiden dempsey .my dad’s name was aiden dempsey son off Annie I would love to hear back from u I always wonted to no my nanny’s side off the family the conways .
Knew your da well you might have known my brother bimbo cooney
Hi Audrey, my grandmother was Susan Devlin, she lived at 49 Mount Pleasant buildings and married my grandad James Dempsey in 1931. Her mother, also named Susan, lived there until she died in 1947. Do you think we have any connection?
Hi june I am the grandchild of annie would lobe to her back from you
My mother was brought up in Mountpleasantbuildingsdublin my granny was called ANNIE CONWAY she had a big families her husband was JOHH CONWAY my cousins were the DEMPSEY,June
Hi June, my grandmother was Susan Devlin from mount pleasant buildings and she married James Dempsey in 1931. Is there any connection to your family?
[…] “A divided Rathmines”, “Come here to me!” online magazine https://comeheretome.com/2012/11/10/a-divided-rathmines/ […]
Just a big hello to all the former residents of Mountpleasent buildings hope yous keeping well and safe
Hi Martin,
… my family lived in a tenement called Belfield house, we left there when I was two. My sisters,Connie and Phyllis, remember the area well, barber shop and attending a school called Tranquilla. Larry Burke.
Hi June it’s your cousin ann dempsey now osullivan and your cousin John jo dempsey how are you keeping pls reply god bless☺☺
I’m researching my grandfather William Joseph Byrne from Mount Pleasant. He married Marion Leonard in 1923 and had 6 children. I’m interested to find information William’s first marriage. He had a daughter Nellie who was looked after by Ma Cullen in the buildings. I don’t know why Nellie was brought up with William’s second wife Marion. Also Marion had 5 children by her first marriage, it is believed, but I don’t know what happened to them as they weren’t brought up by William and Marion. I’d love to know what happened to William’s first wife and his daughter Nellie.
Carmel Living in Gulistan Place since1986. Connie Doyle had a shop around the corner from me where I got to know my neigbours. Couldn’t be happier living anywhere else – great place!
My name is Michael Brennan (Mikey) and my father and my uncle john ran Brennan’s Barbour’s,I know my cousin Pat has asked for old photos or information regarding the shop or the Brennan family,
I would love to hear from anyone who knew them.
Hi Carmel, I just found this site today, I lived in 4 Gulistan Place, and Connie Doyle was a good friend of my mother, my last name is Woods.
Many wonderful times we had in the buildings great memories
R u Ann Cooney Brother we lived there too Fogarty’s
Yes she recently buried her husband victor also my other 2sisters Kathleen & Karen & brother bimbo have since passed on
Is that Martin who worked in Lenihans of Rathmines, the Hardware store?Helen Guinan Rathmines
Good evening Helen knew you well had many a pint with John & your younger brother in the hideaway on upper rathmines road and in madigans some 35 plus years ago hope you and all you family are keeping well all the best martin
My grandmother grew up here. She was Susan Devlin, born 1908, parents Andrew and Susan. She married James Joseph Dempsey in 1931, and my mum Philomena was born in Holyfield buildings in 1934. Susan Devlin senior lived at Mount Pleasant buildings until her death in 1947.
I’m hoping to find out more about my family and their lives here, would love to hear from anyone who has info.
Hi, Susan’s sister Elizabeth was my great grandmother.
My Great Grandmother Mary Ellen was sister to Susan and Elizabeth (I think there were 11 children born to Andrew & Susan Devlin)
She lived there with her family after she married and had 7 children born there before moving the family to London after her husband died.
MY HUSBAND LIVED IN MOUNT PLEASANT BUILDINGS IN 1947 HIS FATHER’S NAME WAS BILL WILLIAM MURPHY HIS MOTHER’S NAME WAS JULIA MURPHY FORMILY SMYTH WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ONE WHO KNEW THEM
My name I mick o reilly my father was B.B. reilly. I was born and raised in m p b and loved it, any body who was born there seem to love and respect the place, Family’s were honest and worked hard, they looked for each other, and the games of football against the toss wall were great, loved it
Good evening mick martin cooney here some Google times spent in the buildings I remember your da used to sell the papers in ranelagh how the time passed nearly 50 years would like to wish you and all your family a happy Xmas and a peaceful new year
Hope your well Martin 50 years flew by. What part of the buildings did you live in what number flat . Iam trying to Remember you. Keep well
Good evening my brother was bimbo cooney and sister Kathleen sadly both have passed away I think I did some roofing work for you some time back with my brother pat I think Kathleen lived in the top landing above your mothers flat also I played for the Rangers under 13s with Nick the cork lad was the manager in bushy park really have great memories of the buildings what I would give just to go back for a day to meet all the gang what a day that would be all the best martin
Hi Martin, often thought of you over the years, great to hear from you. All well, I will let John & Jim know, Dino in Birmingham all these years, I am going to visit him & Maria Behan at end of this month. Kindest regards Martin. My Mum loved you. Helen Guinan
Good afternoon Helen good to hear all is well great times had around ratomises in the pubs hope you and all the family are keeping well all the best martin
Mick I lived in the block to the right as you come up the hill facing the Ryan’s and the little shop mick roach & frank roach who I played with for rangers lived down the lane facing the block
Martin hope you going well I was talking to mick Simpson do you remember him. He lived on rugby road a great footballer. He played with Madonna youth club.
yep remember him well also mick twamley super footballer think he lived in the block facing you mother then moved up to gulistan cottages i think mick has passed on some years ago there was another great family on oxford rd mick &david rodgers very good allround sportsmen
I met Angela Hennessy from Rathmines Avenue, she told me sad news about Nick Twamley 😦 such a great guy, was so sorry to hear.
@Martin Cooney: Are you referring to Michael Twamley, I’m working on my history and Michael Twamely was my grandfathers brother.
Anyone remember Mahon’s Bed and Breakfast in Lower Rathmines? They were a lovely family and provided much needed accommodation for people like myself. I was employed by a company called Slot Television based in Rathmines. In the sixties, we had an amazing cross section of customers,including the newsreader Charles Mitchell. But back to the Mahlon’s, they also kept a shop that was open until all hours. Some of my fellow lodgers were most interesting characters, one I recall was a Doctor who had served in World War Two. This was a surreal episode in my young life and one that remains indelible imprinted in my mind. I just recall that one of the Mahon family, a young lady, had aspirations to becoming an actress. Does anyone remember this family? I would dearly love to be brought up to date on this period of my life in Dublin.
Hi Joe,
I searched “Mahon” + “Bed and Breakfast” + “Rathmines” into the online Irish Times archive. Unfortunately, the only hit was about an arson attack on the business in 1986.
It mentions a Mr and Mrs Mahon who ran a B&B at 30/32 Upper Rathmines Road and that their son ran a newsagent called “Open All Hours” in front of the B&B. So I’m guessing it’s the same people?
I’ve uploaded the full article here – https://ibb.co/fFvQzG
Hope it’s a lead anyway.
Thanks Sam for the speedy response. I remember David. In the sixties he pretty much managed the shop on his own. Another son John founded the successful hairdressing establishment named ‘John Adam’. I wonder if the daughter realised her aspiration to becoming an Actress. It is a tough business to become successful in. Thanks again. Joe
Hi Joe,
My names Edmund Mahon, David is my father, we are as others have mentioned still going strong in the area, the BnB has grown over the years and has expanded into the Uppercross House Hotel, we also have a bar and restaurant called Mother Riellys in honour of my Grandmother Eileen who I’m sure you would have met all those years ago. The entrance to the bar is the same entrance that the old open all hours newsagents would have had. I believe the sister your talking about would be my aunty Niamh she emigrated to England and became a school head mistress but remained and still remains passionate about acting. My uncle John did indeed open a number of salons called John Adam’s but has since retired. Sadly Paul passed away quite a few years ago now, he has children that live in the UK but still come back to visit regularly. If you still live in the city or are visiting in the future feel free to stop in, alot has changed but I think you will also be suprised by how much is still similar.
The power of the internet is quite amazing. I was delighted to read your contribution which enlightened me about an extraordinary period of my life. I remember your late Uncle Paul and another brother who were younger members of the family. I recall that at the time they nurtured a keen interest in computer technology. This would have been a rare event back in the sixties. I remember on one occasion your grandmother asking how this interest could be pursued further.
Your aunt did well to achieve such a distinction in the teaching profession. It’s interesting that she continues to keep in touch with the acting discipline also. I live in the West of Ireland and because of the epidemic obviously my activities are curtailed. At the first opportunity I would love to visit your establishment in Rathmines for old times sake. I have written a book entitled ‘The Slopes of Mullaghatee’. It’s set in my native Sligo and is a collection of autobiographical memories. One article is called ‘I remember that Summer in Dublin’. It contains a reference to Mahons B and B. I would like to forward you a copy. If I send it under your name to the Hotel, will that ensure that you will receive it ? Thanks again for responding.
Joe
Joe mick o reilly here a little up date for you the mahons are still going strong
my son served his time with paul mahon a plummer, he passed away a couple of years ago, i think the other brothers are still ok, dont know about the sister
Thanks Mick, that brings me up to date. Sad to learn that one of the sons passed away. They were younger than me and one was interested in computers even back then. It was an interesting place back then, you never knew who might drop in. Thanks again, Joe
I lived in hollyfield bldgs rathminrs I was born there in 1949 great neighbours great memories I married a lovely chap from Oxford Rd mountplesant does anyone know the family seamus butler nickname horris love reading all these comments patty
Hi Patty, I grew up in Gulistan Place. I’m trying to find out about a lady who lived in Hollyfield buildings for my cousin. Her name is Monica Reid and he thinks she may have moved to Chicago. I’m guessing she was born around 1948-50. I can’t find anything online about Hollyfield Buildings. Thanks!
Yeah knew them well horris Ronnie & basil the best pint of Guinness drinkers I seen in my like my fond memory of them when I was young that they were always well liked by everyone in mount pleasant and hard workers all the best Martin cooney
This very well compiled article brings back many memories. I am from the west of Ireland, but in the sixties I was employed as a collector by a company called Slot Television based in Rathmines. We had a wide diversity of customers. I remember calling to Charles Mitchell( news reader) and opening the slot at the back of the set. If it was over subscribed, I gave the customer the balance. Our company was managed by a man known as Major Legett, an ex British Officer. Pauline who worked in the office, very obligingly handed out televisions to new customers, without checking credit references. Of course in many cases the slot was removed, and I got no money when I called. Soon we had massive debts, and guess who got the blame? Yours Truly of course. I met a host of celebrities of the period, and found the experience extremely interesting. I called to Cahill’s and Lawless’s and all the others in Hollyfield and Mount Pleasant. I even played handball on that ball alley in the picture. I recall walking round south Dublin with a large money bag in the evenings without incident. Another employee we had was Jim Gibbons and a nice chap called Denis. I wonder does any viewer have a memory of this.
In a different context entirely. I was a patient in Harcourt St. children’s hospital back in the 1950’s. If by chance there is anyone who has a memory of this, I would love to make contact. Best regards, Joe
I enjoy reading all those posts from an era long gone. The black and white images seem so alluring in the twilight world of the fifties and sixties. What a pity that some of our values back then were different to the present. Has anyone a memory of Slot Television in Rathmines which I dealt with in some detail above? The Manager was Mrs Pembroke. Pauline Walsh was the pretty receptionist and Denis McCullogh was one of the service engineers.
I lodged in Mahons B & B and remember some colourful tenants. Jack Balfe was a retired Guinness clerk and another one was a retired Doctor, who held the rank of Major with the British forces during World War Two. He supervised the exchange of prisoners, probably at the close of the war. He suffered from shell shock and had become quite eccentric. I recall Jack and he did not agree and there were a number of outbreaks of war whenever they clashed.
There was a daughter in the Mahon household, who was seriously interested in an acting career. I would love to know if she made a success of this profession. Finally, is there a possibility that someone remembers Harcourt Children’s Hospital in the fifties and sixties? Professor Steen was a surgeon there in those days.
Best regards to all, Joe Keane
I added to the above post yesterday. My reply seems to have disappeared. I know some of it was a replication of the above, but it also contained additional information?
Sorry! I am relatively new to this
Hello, my mum was born in mount pleasant buildings in1939. Does anyone know the Montfords from that area? And also when did the buildings start getting into the state of disrepair that we see in the 1960’s video?
Just saw this link.The mahons went to school in Marian College in the 70’s and 80’s and were big into sound hire for bands.They run the successful Uppercross hotel and I think own Mother redcaps pub next door but not 100pc sure of that.I used to deliver bread to a shop on the corner on Oxford Road with a great gent called Vincent Shevlin who was a breadman with Bolands.i remember being chased by skinheads in 70/71 when they saw me hitting a ball off the front of the buildings but all in all the folks there were tough but sound.There was a school called Richmond Hill in Lower Rathmines which a lot of them went to.
are there any lads out there who went to richmond hill b.n.s in the 50s our school master was called chinny boden.
does anyone remember my nanny mary cleary and me ma lillo kiernan
My grandparents lived in Mount Pleasant Buildings Mr/Mrs Harcourt, my father Sean Harcourt was one of five children. I think they lived at No 11. There was a shop opposite the entrance.
Chris Cowley
My grandfather James Gillan lived in 3 Old Mt. Pleasant with his wife Mary Ellen Nolan in 1902. Their son, William James, was born there in 1903.
It would be wonderful to hear from anybody with memories of the Gillan family.
Chris (Living in Kilkenny)
Just wondering hope all the former residents of mount pleasant buildings are all keeping well in these tough times God bless and keep safe martin cooney x family
i think so many have passwd on since they left the buildings my family moved in there in the 40s i was born there in 1945 then in 1950 my family moved out into a house in milltown, when i got to 15 i started to go back and hang around with some of the lads who i knew when i was younger and living there, ill always remember the times living there and the people it was good.
Hi all, my sister remembers Brennans barbers, she recalls living in belfield house, flat no., 11. either mountplesant or Upper Rathmines. I cannot find any reference to this address. Can anyone help. Family name Burke. Larry
I am researching the Dunne family in Mountpleasant Buildings in the 1920’s and 1930’s Katie Kathleen Dunne was my grandmother. I think she had 6 children many of whom emigrated to England I think my grand father may have been called Micheal.It is along time ago but perhaps somebody may have heard of the from their parents
Hi Gillian , my Dad was one of six born and reared in number 31 mount pleasant buildings ; he was born in 1930 and was the youngest of 6 his name was Edward Dunne , his brother emigrated to England his name was Johnny , his dad name was Michael & his mother Sarah , we were born also in number 31 mount pleasant, 👍
Our ancestors lived in 72 Mount Pleasant Buildings in 1911 Great Grandmother Mary Maguire, with sons Owen, Margaret and James. Love to know if anyone remembered them,
Hi all, my aunt Connie Donnelly lived in Mount Pleasant buildings in 1930s – 1950s. My older sisters remember many small business people around the area.
Hi Larry.
Would your aunt remember Brennan’s Barbour shop in Rathmines, my father and uncle use to run it.
Regards Michael Brennan
Hi Michael, thanks for the reply. My Aunt passed away many years ago. My sisters (who live in England) tell me the remember your family’s Barbour shop. My family left the area in 1948 when I was two years old. I have been told we lived in a tenement called Belfield house. I can’t find any reference to this name anywhere. My family name Burke, I remember as a young child being brought to see my Aunt in Mount pleasant.
Hi Michael, I don’t know if you received my reply. I’m not very good at this, my Sisters Phyllis and Connie remember your fathers Barbour’s shop. They knew one of the sons there, but can’t remember his name. (They say he was a nice well mannered boy, was that you.) LOL
Larry,
I didn’t live in Rathmines, my father did and his family,the shop closed in the sixties, we use to visit my granny Brennan back then,
My father passed away in 1987, there is only one sibling
I’m just looking for any information people may have, thanks for your reply
Regards Michael.
How fondly we all remember Brennan Barbour’s. My dad was a frequent visitor there, we lived on Leinster Road, Paddy Guinan. I am nearly sure they went to school together, as my dad was from Rathmines also. Kind regards
Hi Helen
Thank you for coming back to me regarding my fathers barbers shop,
I was looking to see if anyone had any old photos.
Thank you in advance.
Regards Michael Brennan.
Hi Michael. I have two old photos of the front of our grandfathers barbershop. One was taken around 1918 and another later one. I can’t seem to upload them here. The strange thing is that in the earlier photo the address was 149 Upper Rathmines Rd and the later one is number 13. Regarding Belfield House. This was accessed through the lane at the side of the barbershop. I have a vague recollection of seeing Belfield House in the late 1950’s. It could have been in a photo. Not sure when it was knocked. I went to St. Louis school and went up to Granny Brennan every day for lunch. I’d go in through the shop where uncle Mikey (your Dad) and uncle John were cutting hair. Great memories.
Hi Michael, unfortunately not., though etched in our memories. We still speak of Mr. Brennan, hopefully someone will have photos for you. Be really great to have.
Kind regards
Hello all, I’ve stumbled across this whilst looking into some family history.
I was trying to find out some information regarding “Belfield House” Rathmines which I have seen referenced in the comments section here. We had some relatives who lived here we think, Henry Herbage and his wife Bridget. Henry died in 1965 aged 87. He was English but had lived in Dublin most of his life after meetings and marrying Bridget.
Bit of a long shot but wondered if Belfield House was indeed in the Rathmines area or whether Coffeys Cottages (also an address we have) is in the area.
Thanks
Jordan
My father, Michael Morgan and his family lived in Mount Pleasant buildings from 1903. His dad was William Morgan and his mum was Lizzie nee Doyle
Yep that’s us hope you’d are all keeping well