Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is known for its incredible diversity in geography, socio-economic status, industries, religion and occupations. From coastal areas to modern suburbs, sparsely-populated uplands, and agricultural regions, the county showcases various ways of life. It encompasses practically every type of occupation and identity found on the island of Ireland.

Despite this diversity, the voices of ordinary people have often been overlooked in historical accounts. The narratives of the gentry and wealthy families have been prioritized and recorded, while ordinary people's stories have gone unheard. This is a common pattern worldwide, where those with bigger public profiles are more likely to be written about in the media. Wealthy individuals tend to live in architecturally important homes that become historical landmarks and attract attention, while the lives of those with modest incomes are often forgotten.

To rectify this imbalance, it is essential to talk to people and gather their memories and stories passed down in families and communities. This vital work by author and oral historian Deirdre Nuttall attempts to do just that, shedding light on the lives of the less well-connected and bringing a more comprehensive understanding of the rich history of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

About the Author

Deirdre Nuttall is an author and academic. She studied folklore and archaeology at UCD and took a master’s degree in social anthropology at the University of Durham, before returning to UCD to complete a PhD in folklore/ethnology. Her most recent publication was Different and the Same: A Folk History of the Protestants of Independent Ireland (Eastwood Books, 2020)