Saturday 29th May (Dublin):

Photos of Ballymun (see postings about Dermot Bolger / 'The Parting Glass' / Ballymun):

It is my understanding that until the mid 1960s, the area which became the 'Ballymun' in these photographs was largely rural and made up of small communities. Although Dublin city centre is about five miles away, the difference between 'urban' and 'rural' was distinct. During the 1960s, this area was developed to provide housing / accommodation for thousands of people and despite its relatively close proximity to the nearby northern suburbs, the area became known as a ghetto and a 'no-go' area. In recent times, particularly during the 'Celtic Tiger' period (and presumably as a result of infrastructural monies from the EU), the area has undergone significant regeneration and investment, although this would now appear to have stagnated again due to the economic crisis. In these photographs, it is possible to see some of the original blocks as they are now, alongside more recent regeneration. The area contains new hotels (TraveLodge, Days Inn etc) and retail space, (however the Tesco appears to be in one of the older buildings), plus new accommodation and housing, particularly to the northern edge near Santry. Therefore, within a relatively small area, students, migrant workers, first-time buyers and aspirational families live alongside or in close proximity to what remains of the original estates and those still in them. I am unaware of how many families still remain in the remnants of the original blocks. As mentioned previously, the area also contains the now famous axis arts centre which is located in one of the newer buildings alongside the health centre, social security office and Garda station.