Recently, I took a detour to explore an intriguing garden area in Dublin after attending a historical presentation at the Clonliffe House pub, located in Ballybough. Although one may argue the term “garden” is something of an exaggeration – it is essentially a beautifully decorated street corner blessed with a variety of flowers, shrubs and a couple of benches.
However, it is indeed surprising that this corner offers a delightful spot to relax at any time nowadays given its past reputation as a place most would avoid or quickly pass through. Drawing from Weston St John Joyce’s 1913 book, ‘The Neighbourhoods of Dublin’, he mentions people choosing to take longer, roundabout paths, instead of braving this ominous location after dusk.
Remarkably, even as late as 1990, a member of the Irish Parliament, TD John Stafford, confirmed during an assembly debate that local legends surrounding the neighbouring green space next to Luke Kelly Bridge, supposedly frequented by ghostly apparitions, remained strong.
A Dublin City Council sign stands at this corner providing an explanation for its historical notoriety. It is believed to have been an old Felo de Se burial site, a practice in England and Ireland from the 16th century until its abolishment in 1823, where those who committed suicide were buried at crossroads at midnight with a stake driven through their hearts, supposedly to prevent them from haunting the living.
Despite the local avoidance due to superstitious beliefs, this place strangely attracted writers, particularly those who penned Gothic literature. The sign credits it for inspiring poets like James Clarence Mangan, Thomas Caulfield Irwin, and Thomas McDonagh to name a few. Moreover, it is strongly suggested that Bram Stoker, the renowned writer and native of Clontarf, visited this location during his childhood and found his inspiration here for his iconic novel, ‘Dracula’.
In the present day, the eerie ambience associated with this corner appears to have faded considerably, converting it into a charming public spot.
Upon my recent visit near midnight, I can truthfully assert that the lone spirit present was the one I had partaken in at the pub – a fallout from participating in a whiskey tasting event combined with Sean Deegan’s enlightening discourse about the history of Jones’s Road Distillery.
Still, on the topic of corners, I was also guided around an exhibit dedicated to Ballybough, situated within the walls of the pub. The displays, prepared by curator Laura Williams, introduced me to the “Frank McNally Corner” – a space featuring a couple of frame-shrouded Irishman’s Diaries recounting local tales. Achieving such distinction, if not previously done elsewhere, solidifies me as a certified corner lad.
The noted Mangan (1803-1849) was already dabbled in vampirology long before Stoker (1847-1912) experienced his first slice of the night. Among the former’s poetic creations was “Enigma – a Vampire”. Mangan’s birth and demise occurred around southside Liberties, however, he had a considerable affiliation with northside Ballybough which he often referred to in cryptic pseudonyms. His connection was through a pub where literary minds congregated in the early 19th century, sufficiently influencing him to dub himself “Peter Puff Secundus, of Mud Island, near the bog”.
The infamous Mud Island, part of northeast Dublin was well reported to be home to all sort of dubious individuals including smugglers, robbers, thieves, amongst many others. They had even chosen a “king” amongst them. The city’s authorised representatives were usually hesitant to step on this island. Today the Mud Island might have vanished physically, its echo may exist in the current locality’s name, Ballybough. Commonly said to be derived from “Baile Bocht”, translating to a “poor town”. Instead, former city mayor and present Dublin City Councillor Nial Ring suggested during an exchange that evening at Clonliffe House, the likelihood of it being a soft town or “Baile Bog”.
Returning to the local authors of the area, the most celebrated one is being honoured at the imminent Féile Bram Stoker, scheduled from the 25th to 28th of October and celebrating “four days of thrilling happenings”. Not just thrilling, per the itinerary, but enlightening ones as well.
The Rotunda Hospital in Dublin is widely recognised for newborn arrivals. However, next Saturday (October 26th), in the Pillar Room, it is set to offer a considerable literary revelation: “An exceptional Bram Stoker Discovery (World Exclusive)”.
Brian Cleary, a committed Stoker aficionado, will play the role of the obstetrician who has stumbled upon “a find of great literary and historical importance”.
Miriam O’Callaghan will perform the role of the midwife, entrusted with questioning Cleary about a disclosure labelled as “heartwarming”, “captivating”, and “astonishing”, that has left those aware of the revelation “stunned and exhilarated” on the festival’s site.
To top it all, the event coordinators promise a “highly remarkable revelation”.
A word springs to mind, signalling being “extremely excited or overjoyed”. It’s a casual term, primarily utilised in the US and Australia. But I believe we can use it zealously in this context too, announcing that everyone involved in the expected literary disclosure is absolutely thrilled.