Yet another full house attended the talk at the society's last monthly meeting on Monday 14th May and heard a fascinating account of Clontarf as it was in the mid-18th century, and how it evolved over the next two hundred and fifty years.

Professor Colm Lennon used, as his reference, John Rocque's 1756 map of Dublin and its environs to recreate a mental picture of Clontarf as it was at that time. This map was the first detailed survey of the county, and its quality and accuracy are so good that places, roads, coastline, and houses are easily recognisable despite the enormous change that has occurred since.

Professor Lennon is an acknowledged expert on Rocque's map and his skill in describing not just how the changes came about but also why they happened made his presentation so enthralling.

The Royal Irish Academy is continuing its publications in its Irish Historical…

The first historical talk of the new yeat takes place on Monday night in the Parish Resource Centre, St John the Baptist church on Clontarf Road.

Castilla, Merchamp, Hollybrook, Furry Park, Seafield and Kincora: did you know these were all originally big houses in Clontarf?  Come and hear more tit-bits about these houses (including the one that’s still standing!) and other houses you may not have heard of.

Claire Gogarty has a Master’s in Irish heritage and has always been interested in architecture, so now she’s combining the two of these by writing a book about how Clontarf developed into the suburb it now is over the last 200-plus years. The talk starts at8.15pm

New members always welcome, for all enquiries please call (01) 8338711.  Annual Membership €20, Individual talks €4.