Dublin Tramways
by
John Kelleher
by
John Kelleher
(c) 2016 Mount Merrion Historical Society
8.00pm, Thursday 7th May, 2026
Fitzwilliam Rooms
Mount Merrion Community Centre
Fitzwilliam Rooms
Mount Merrion Community Centre
Presented by:
Frank Tracy
Frank Tracy
Gatelodges of Rathdown
Up to the mid 19th century the Rathdown area was the location of major Anglo-Irish Estates e.g. Fitzwilliams, Herberts, Carysforts, Allens, Probys, Trimleston etc.etc. From the mid 19th century these large estates fell into decline and were replaced by the more moderate estates of a rising class of business and professional people. These smaller estates usually consisted of a reasonably substantial house set in a few acres and accessed via a gate lodge and driveway. Rathdown was a favourite area for these 'gentlemen's houses' because of the elevated location of Rathdown with panoramic views of Dublin Bay and proximity of Dublin City. Indeed, Rathdown was the location of one of the earliest commuter railway lines in Ireland i.e. Harcourt St - Bray. After WW2 these 'gentlemen's houses' were in turn sold off and replaced by modern housing estates e.g. Mount Merrion, Stillorgan, Kilmacud, Foxrock, etc. While most (but not all) of the gentlemen's houses were demolished to make way for modern housing estates, a surprising number of their gate lodges have survived as family residences. These gate lodges provide a peek into the past. This local history talk identifies a selection of the surviving gate lodges of Rathdown, the large houses they were linked to and the families who lived there.
Frank Tracy was born in the Liberties in Dublin in 1943. A graduate of UCG in Celtic Archaeology, he spent most of his working life in the Public Service. He has a keen interest in local history and, since his retirement, has developed a series of historical talks and walks. A father of five adult children, he lives with his wife, Bernie, in Stillorgan.