A Christmas Carol and Fenian Fears: Charles Dickens in Dublin

On three occasions, Charles Dickens would speak in Dublin. Each time huge crowds came to hear him speak in the Rotunda, with the crowds spilling out into Sackville Street and well beyond. A Christmas Carol was the highlight of all three tours. Beyond his readings, Dickens also wrote interesting letters from the city, comparing it favourably to London and Edinburgh. There was once a time when Dublin even had street names taken from the world of Dickens.

Cormac Murray is the author of a new study of the US Embassy in Ballsbridge. A visual feast, it explores one of Dublin's most unusual buildings in its architectural, social, cultural and political contexts. The work of John M. Johansen,described as "a Neoclassical Modernist", the building was something of a never-ending saga. In an edition of just 400, the study is available from Phibsboro Press You can support Three Castles Burning at Patreon.

The story of Guinness is one of great success, yes, but also turbulence. Together with historian Antonia Hart, Ned Guinness has produced a family history that doesn't shy away from the challenges faced, while shining a spotlight on some of the key figures in the ultimate success of the brand. Our story passes through events like 1798 and 1916, but there is also talk of the future. Please vote for The Dublin Pub: https://www.irishbookawards.ie/

Lord Leitrim, John Twiss and the songs of our year (with Michael Steen) This edition of the podcast is dedicated to the memory of Manchán Magan. Singer Michael Steen (a member of  the An Góilín Traditional Singers Club) has developed an intriguing calendar of the year, which creates a journey of song through the seasons. Some of these songs are tied to folklore traditions, others mark key anniversaries. In this discussion, we touch on all from the story of a detested landlord buried in St Michan's Church to the recently pardoned John Twiss. The calendar is available to view at www.songcalendar.ie. Please vote For The Dublin Pub at https://www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/  Follow the Irish Traditional Song Calendar on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/irishsongcalendar/ 

At a packed Oak Room in the Mansion House, a celebration of the life of the journalist Con Houlihan last Saturday brought the audience on a journey into the work and passions of one of Ireland's most beloved scribes. Born in Castle Island (two words, he insisted) in 1925, Con became the heart of the Evening Press newspaper on Dublin's Burgh Quay. His love for his native Kerry, sport, literature, the theatre, St Patrick's Athletic, the public houses of Dublin and more besides are all explored here. One of Ireland's great actors of the stage, Brendan Conroy reads march reports and other pieces from Con, while the journalist, writer and friend of Con, Roy Curtis, held the attention of the room throughout with his beautiful memories of a man who influenced him greatly. Recorded at the Dublin Festival of History.   Thanks to all Patreons of the podcast (www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning) The Dublin Pub is available (with free post and packaging) from independent bookshop TheBookshop.ie.

Shaffrey Architects was established in 1967 by Patrick and Maura Shaffrey. Based on Ormond Quay,the practice has made a real and meaningful contribution to Dublin and beyond, with projects including 14 Henrietta Street and Wicklow Head Lighthouse. Fifty years on from Patrick Shaffrey producing The Irish Town: An Approach to Survival, Grainne Shaffrey joins me to talk about the journey since. This event was part of the brilliant Seán Corcoran Series in Drogheda's Highlanes Gallery, an annual event dedicated to the life, work and memory of one of Ireland's great collectors and local champions: www.seancorcoranseries.com/ (Image: William Murphy shot of 14 Henrietta Street. Creative Commons. With thanks to William for his on-going photography capturing Dublin.)

Brian Kerr's voice is instantly familiar as a broadcaster, and his contribution to Irish football is extraordinary. Born in 1953, his first coaching role came while barely a teenager. In the 1980s he would come to manage the team he had supported since his childhood, St Patrick's Athletic, before going on to historic victories with Ireland's youth teams in the 1990s. In this discussion, we touch on everything from the 1966 World Cup Final to the visit of the Al-Helal Football Academy in Gaza to Dublin. A little language in this one.  With thanks to Naoise Nunn and all at Mindfield/Electric Picnic. For more on Kerr's story, see Joe O'Rourke's 'The People's Champions' exploring his 1989/1990 league winning side. Support Three Castles Burning, an independent ad-free podcast, at www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning Or at www.ko-fi.com/threecastlesburning

Padraic X. Scanlan is the author of Rot: A History of the Irish Famine. Framing the crisis in Ireland within the broader picture of Empire, this book brings much to how we understood the events that reshaped Ireland. While the crisis recalls rural Ireland, Dublin was central to the story, as the location of the Castle Administration and a bustling port. In this episode we touch on the peculiar story of Alexis Soyer, chef to London's Reform Club, who would arrive in the city in 1847. Establishing a soup kitchen in front of the Royal Barracks, Soyer's intervention was widely condemned in the contemporary press. Rot is available now in all good bookshops.

In 1860, a blaze in the Kildare Street Club led to the death of three workers and the destruction of an institution. Together with other fires of the era, this provided the imperative for a municipal fire service. While Captain James Robert Ingram's name is associated with the 'Whiskey Fire' of 1875, there were many other significant fires, including the destruction of Dublin's Theatre Royal. This all occurred in a time when a new scientific approach to firefighting was taking shape, thanks to the pioneering writing of James Braidwood, influenced by the Great Fire of Edinburgh. This episode explores the emergence of modern firefighting, and how Edinburgh and London paved the way for what followed in Dublin. Las Fallon is the author of The Great Liberties Whiskey Fire (2025) available from Chapters Bookshop and online from Kenny's at: https://www.kennys.ie/shop/the-great-liberties-whiskey-fire-fallon-las-9781916742673-1  

Niamh Hassett and Sean Nugent join me in this special edition of the podcast, exploring a wonderful Tipperary tradition on Dublin's Talbot Street. When the Premier County reach an All Ireland Final, hundreds gather to remember Seán Treacy on the morning of the game. What began this tradition, and why is it growing in popularity?