Dublin City Cottages Project Outline – Past, present and future
This project is a study into the Dublin City Cottages – the artisan dwellings of the city.
They are a much loved face of Dublin, from Stoneybatter to Portobello and Ringsend but very little research as been done into their history and impact on the city.
The aim of the project is to produce a comprehensive report into the origins and history of the Dublin City Cottages, how they have affected the growth and identity of the city and also how they are adapting to the requriements of modern living standards without loosing their architectural integrity.
I will be focusing on the following areas:
1. The past: Gathering as much information as possible on the streets and cottages that no longer exist. There is very little existing documentation so my primary source of information will be those who lived there. I am hoping to gather a better picture of these areas through the storys and knowledge of the older generation of Dublin. With every year that passes access to that information through the people who lived there or were handed down the knowledge fades, I believe that this may be the last chance to document much of the Dublin City Cottages original history.
2. The present: I am currently documenting and surveying all of the cottages of the city center (the boundaries of the project are included below).
3. The future: I will be showcasing cottages that have been renovated and restored for 21st century living without compromising their unique aesthetic in their surrounds. Hopefully this will inspire futher restoration and protection of these cottages.
Area being surveyed:
All of Dublin 1, 2, 7 & 8, also including Ballybough, East Wall, Ringsend & Irishtown.
Can you help?
Needless to say this is a large project to undertake and I would be absolutley delighted to hear from anyone who can contribute in any form – large or small. Even if it is just to register your interest and encourage the continuation of the project – I will be extremely grateful – everyone needs a little cheering squad!
I would especially like to hear from:
- Those who lived in or near any cottages prior to the 1960′s who might be able to provide descriptions or stories about the area.
- Those who currently live in cottages or have renovated a cottage to give their experiences with the process and showcase their renovation.
You can leave a comment below, email me at orla@cottageology.com or give me a call on 087 9807024
Follow the project:
You can follow the project:
- here on Cottageology,
- Facebook at www.facebook.com/cottageology or
- Twitter at www.twitter.com/cottageology
Thank you for reading this – please forward it on to as many people as you can!
Hi Orla,
well done on researching this topic. I forgot to tell you that my great grandfather (Christopher Behan) used to own some cottages on Basin Street in the early nineteen hundreds and one of his grand nieces made references to it in her family history which was a fascinating read. They owned a shop there at 21 Basin Street and it remained in the family right up to the forties when it and all of the cottages were torn down and the flats were built in their place. One of his daughters married a man from Rathangan and they owned a pub there on James’ Street that I actually witnessed being torn down in 2004. I was glad that I had seen the building before it was torn down but I couldn’t help feeling sadened by another piece of history being lost to the city. If you ever get talking to any of the older residents around Basin Street ask them did they remember the flats and in particular 21 Basin Street as it would be very interesting to get some more history of the area:)
Cheers
Oliver Dempsey
Hi Oliver,
Thank you for that fantastic comment – I will definitely look into the cottages at Basin Street in more detail and I will be in contact with you with any extra information I unearth!
Orla
That’s brilliant Orla, thanks a million!
Cheers
Oliver Dempsey
Hi Orla,
what a fantastic idea. this type of history has been completly ignored up to now.
Iam living in the sane cottage in dublin 8 as dd my parents and grandparents before me.
i would be happy to help you in any way i can.
james