BUCHANAN: Dublin Time Machine
@buchanandtm.bsky.social
Drinker with a writing problem. Irish history and Irish future. Politics and poetry. Dubliner
The magnifcent glazed ceramic friezes were made in 1902 by Conrad Dressler in Buckinghamshire. Among the figures are donkeys , babies, women washing, and men farming and building an arch.
February 11, 2026 at 9:39 AM
The magnifcent glazed ceramic friezes were made in 1902 by Conrad Dressler in Buckinghamshire. Among the figures are donkeys , babies, women washing, and men farming and building an arch.
It was the Irish HQ of Lever Brothers, which made Sunlight soap. The magnifcent glazed ceramic friezes were made in 1902 by Conrad Dressler in Buckinghamshire. Among the figures are donkeys , babies, women washing, and men farming and building an arch.
February 5, 2026 at 5:54 PM
It was the Irish HQ of Lever Brothers, which made Sunlight soap. The magnifcent glazed ceramic friezes were made in 1902 by Conrad Dressler in Buckinghamshire. Among the figures are donkeys , babies, women washing, and men farming and building an arch.
SOURCES
* Gary Branigan, "Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland" (2012)
* tcd.ie/news_events
* independent.ie/irish-news/history
* Gary Branigan, "Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland" (2012)
* tcd.ie/news_events
* independent.ie/irish-news/history
February 5, 2026 at 11:10 AM
SOURCES
* Gary Branigan, "Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland" (2012)
* tcd.ie/news_events
* independent.ie/irish-news/history
* Gary Branigan, "Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland" (2012)
* tcd.ie/news_events
* independent.ie/irish-news/history
One final bizarre legend: frogs were supposedly introduced to Ireland via this well! One story says they spawned spontaneously; another claims a Protestant doctor imported spawn from Liverpool and threw it in to spite the Catholics. "That'll show that pesky pontiff!"
February 5, 2026 at 11:10 AM
One final bizarre legend: frogs were supposedly introduced to Ireland via this well! One story says they spawned spontaneously; another claims a Protestant doctor imported spawn from Liverpool and threw it in to spite the Catholics. "That'll show that pesky pontiff!"
In 1610, an English journalist sardonically noted that on St. Patrick’s Day, the water became "more holy" or the citizens "more foolish," as heaps of men, women, and children would run to the site to perform ceremonies and drink from the ancient basin.
February 5, 2026 at 11:10 AM
In 1610, an English journalist sardonically noted that on St. Patrick’s Day, the water became "more holy" or the citizens "more foolish," as heaps of men, women, and children would run to the site to perform ceremonies and drink from the ancient basin.
A 12th century text claims St. Patrick created the fountain "Moses style" by smacking a rock with his magic crozier. Later, property deeds from 1592 mention it as a boundary marker for the local monastery, proving its long standing importance to the geography of the city.
February 5, 2026 at 11:10 AM
A 12th century text claims St. Patrick created the fountain "Moses style" by smacking a rock with his magic crozier. Later, property deeds from 1592 mention it as a boundary marker for the local monastery, proving its long standing importance to the geography of the city.
Ironically, its fate was tied to the Vikings. Originally 40 feet deep, the well was partially buried in the 17th century when debris from the "Thing Mote" (the Viking Parliament mound) was spread along the lane. This pushed the well underground, reducing its accessible depth to just 4 feet.
February 5, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Ironically, its fate was tied to the Vikings. Originally 40 feet deep, the well was partially buried in the 17th century when debris from the "Thing Mote" (the Viking Parliament mound) was spread along the lane. This pushed the well underground, reducing its accessible depth to just 4 feet.
In 2009, a structural survey was performed due to worries that Luas line construction could damage the ancient site. Unfortunately, the only action taken was to lock it up permanently. Despite claims from other sites, archaeology supports this as the primary baptismal well for Dublin.
February 5, 2026 at 11:10 AM
In 2009, a structural survey was performed due to worries that Luas line construction could damage the ancient site. Unfortunately, the only action taken was to lock it up permanently. Despite claims from other sites, archaeology supports this as the primary baptismal well for Dublin.
This is the magical Saint Patrick's Holy Well. Once a famous pilgrimage site, it was even the subject of a satirical poem by Dean Jonathan Swift. When the well dried up in 1729, Swift mocked the Trinity students, jokingly implying their debauchery and alcoholism had drunk the well dry.
February 5, 2026 at 11:10 AM
This is the magical Saint Patrick's Holy Well. Once a famous pilgrimage site, it was even the subject of a satirical poem by Dean Jonathan Swift. When the well dried up in 1729, Swift mocked the Trinity students, jokingly implying their debauchery and alcoholism had drunk the well dry.
Look near the garden of the Provost's House at the Trinity Arts building entrance. From the roadside, you'll see a 1950’s crumbling concrete pillar. But from the Trinity side, there is a locked gate, Georgian red bricks, and steps leading down to an ancient stone basin beneath the street!
February 5, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Look near the garden of the Provost's House at the Trinity Arts building entrance. From the roadside, you'll see a 1950’s crumbling concrete pillar. But from the Trinity side, there is a locked gate, Georgian red bricks, and steps leading down to an ancient stone basin beneath the street!
That being said, it is wrong that we should romanticise the idea of Irish people slipping through the cracks towards homelessness and solitude, without the option for help.
February 4, 2026 at 11:08 AM
That being said, it is wrong that we should romanticise the idea of Irish people slipping through the cracks towards homelessness and solitude, without the option for help.
His quiet individualism and stoic nobility impressed and inspired thousands of strangers and secured him a place in Dublin history.
February 4, 2026 at 11:08 AM
His quiet individualism and stoic nobility impressed and inspired thousands of strangers and secured him a place in Dublin history.
The gentleman known as Moses passed away in 1986. He was buried in Dean’s Grange Cemetery, with assistance from local charities and the hospital that had stood as his nearest neighbour for so long.
February 4, 2026 at 11:08 AM
The gentleman known as Moses passed away in 1986. He was buried in Dean’s Grange Cemetery, with assistance from local charities and the hospital that had stood as his nearest neighbour for so long.
Yet when the snow finally melted, there he was again. Beard rimed with frost, staff in hand, seemingly indestructible.
February 4, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Yet when the snow finally melted, there he was again. Beard rimed with frost, staff in hand, seemingly indestructible.
He followed his daily route from Merrion Road, down to the strand, sometimes as far as Blackrock. During the Great Snow of 1982 even in this tempest where cars were abandoned and pipes burst, the city froze locals were sure Moses couldn't survive it.
February 4, 2026 at 11:08 AM
He followed his daily route from Merrion Road, down to the strand, sometimes as far as Blackrock. During the Great Snow of 1982 even in this tempest where cars were abandoned and pipes burst, the city froze locals were sure Moses couldn't survive it.
Aparently he lived on the stretch of green and marshy land near Elm Park and St Vincent’s Hospital, the so-called Green Fields, before development swallowed much of them. Locals remember him living in a type of dugout, a hollowed shelter hidden in reeds and scrub near the Merrion Gate
February 4, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Aparently he lived on the stretch of green and marshy land near Elm Park and St Vincent’s Hospital, the so-called Green Fields, before development swallowed much of them. Locals remember him living in a type of dugout, a hollowed shelter hidden in reeds and scrub near the Merrion Gate
He sported a long grey beard blown wild by the sea air. Overall his epic appearance was weather beaten and like Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings he always weilded a staff as a walking stick. He rarely spoke.
February 4, 2026 at 11:08 AM
He sported a long grey beard blown wild by the sea air. Overall his epic appearance was weather beaten and like Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings he always weilded a staff as a walking stick. He rarely spoke.
The gentlemans real name was Tom, or Thomas. His surname may have been O’Malley or something similar. However local reverently knew him as Moses because he had the look of an Old Testament prophet. And the aura. I will refer to him thus, and with the same great respect.
February 4, 2026 at 11:08 AM
The gentlemans real name was Tom, or Thomas. His surname may have been O’Malley or something similar. However local reverently knew him as Moses because he had the look of an Old Testament prophet. And the aura. I will refer to him thus, and with the same great respect.
Stephens continued training and performing with lions elsewhere until his tragic death in 1953, when he was mauled by another lion named Pasha during a circus act.
February 3, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Stephens continued training and performing with lions elsewhere until his tragic death in 1953, when he was mauled by another lion named Pasha during a circus act.
Stephens himself urged guards to shoot once she tasted blood and became more aggressive. Garda marksmen shot the poor lioness dead in the street.
February 3, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Stephens himself urged guards to shoot once she tasted blood and became more aggressive. Garda marksmen shot the poor lioness dead in the street.
Gardaí quickly arrived to the scene, with armed officers crouching behind walls and lampposts, trying to track this alien big cat. Tragically, there were no tranquiliser darts to hand or protocol for dealing with wildlife.
February 3, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Gardaí quickly arrived to the scene, with armed officers crouching behind walls and lampposts, trying to track this alien big cat. Tragically, there were no tranquiliser darts to hand or protocol for dealing with wildlife.