BUCHANAN: Dublin Time Machine
@buchanandtm.bsky.social
Drinker with a writing problem. Irish history and Irish future. Politics and poetry. Dubliner
Finally, this exquisite sanctuary contains stained glass windows by genius Irish artist Harry Clarke. The magnificent shrine is criminally underrated and unknown to most Dubliners, and Sister Concepta Lynch's talent should be more widely celebrated.
January 31, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Finally, this exquisite sanctuary contains stained glass windows by genius Irish artist Harry Clarke. The magnificent shrine is criminally underrated and unknown to most Dubliners, and Sister Concepta Lynch's talent should be more widely celebrated.
She toiled for 16 years, decorating the little cell. Her labour of love started with a mural on the back wall, then incorporated the whole chapel in a complex piece of Celtic devotional art that would not look out of place in the Book of Kells.
January 31, 2026 at 11:25 AM
She toiled for 16 years, decorating the little cell. Her labour of love started with a mural on the back wall, then incorporated the whole chapel in a complex piece of Celtic devotional art that would not look out of place in the Book of Kells.
The story began in 1919 when a town in France donated a statue of Jesus to Ireland in gratitude for the Irish soldiers' sacrifice.
Local Dublin nun Sister Concepta Lynch (1874 – 1939) decided to decorate a shrine for it. She only considered herself an amateur artist, despite incredible talent.
Local Dublin nun Sister Concepta Lynch (1874 – 1939) decided to decorate a shrine for it. She only considered herself an amateur artist, despite incredible talent.
January 31, 2026 at 11:25 AM
The story began in 1919 when a town in France donated a statue of Jesus to Ireland in gratitude for the Irish soldiers' sacrifice.
Local Dublin nun Sister Concepta Lynch (1874 – 1939) decided to decorate a shrine for it. She only considered herself an amateur artist, despite incredible talent.
Local Dublin nun Sister Concepta Lynch (1874 – 1939) decided to decorate a shrine for it. She only considered herself an amateur artist, despite incredible talent.
A hidden gem of Celtic mysticism looks more like a public toilet on the outside than a miniature Sistine chaple in Dún Laoghaire.
It was created as a modest memorial to Irish soldiers who perished in the Great War. And the Oratory is all the more miraculous considering how it was decorated.
It was created as a modest memorial to Irish soldiers who perished in the Great War. And the Oratory is all the more miraculous considering how it was decorated.
January 31, 2026 at 11:25 AM
A hidden gem of Celtic mysticism looks more like a public toilet on the outside than a miniature Sistine chaple in Dún Laoghaire.
It was created as a modest memorial to Irish soldiers who perished in the Great War. And the Oratory is all the more miraculous considering how it was decorated.
It was created as a modest memorial to Irish soldiers who perished in the Great War. And the Oratory is all the more miraculous considering how it was decorated.
The closest Irish society came to openly dissecting the issue was on The Gay Byrne Hour radio show. Hundreds of people, mostly women, wrote in to talk about their experiences and their hopes for change.
January 31, 2026 at 8:39 AM
The closest Irish society came to openly dissecting the issue was on The Gay Byrne Hour radio show. Hundreds of people, mostly women, wrote in to talk about their experiences and their hopes for change.
Despite Minister of State for Women's Affairs and Family Law Nuala Fennell making a passionate plea in the Dáil for an inquiry, none materialised. However, amid the sanctimonious accusations and assignations of blame real social progress took root.
January 31, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Despite Minister of State for Women's Affairs and Family Law Nuala Fennell making a passionate plea in the Dáil for an inquiry, none materialised. However, amid the sanctimonious accusations and assignations of blame real social progress took root.
The tragedy became a religious and political football for parties on both sides who didn't give a damn about women or babies. But when the handful of female TDs and activists spoke out for victims, they were roundly ignored in favour of a soundbite from a bishop, or a geriatric male politician.
January 31, 2026 at 8:39 AM
The tragedy became a religious and political football for parties on both sides who didn't give a damn about women or babies. But when the handful of female TDs and activists spoke out for victims, they were roundly ignored in favour of a soundbite from a bishop, or a geriatric male politician.
4 that fateful night, ⅔ of the country had voted in an abortion referendum to enshrine the "right to life" of the unborn in the constitution, without clarifying "right to life" of the mother. Ann's deceased infant boy was posthumously baptised Pat. They were buried together in the same coffin.
January 31, 2026 at 8:39 AM
4 that fateful night, ⅔ of the country had voted in an abortion referendum to enshrine the "right to life" of the unborn in the constitution, without clarifying "right to life" of the mother. Ann's deceased infant boy was posthumously baptised Pat. They were buried together in the same coffin.
Some locals were aware of Ann's pregnancy. Gardaí have never revealed how a visibly pregnant schoolgirl could leave a classroom on a freezing rainy winter's day. Everyone had failed this girl and baby boy, from the nuclear family unit all the way up to Leinster House.
January 31, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Some locals were aware of Ann's pregnancy. Gardaí have never revealed how a visibly pregnant schoolgirl could leave a classroom on a freezing rainy winter's day. Everyone had failed this girl and baby boy, from the nuclear family unit all the way up to Leinster House.
The town of Granard, then only a rural village of 1,285 souls reacted in a variety of ways to these horrific events.
Ireland was a religious theocracy. The Catholic Church, conservativism and poverty strangled the lives of people in general but women and girls in particular.
Ireland was a religious theocracy. The Catholic Church, conservativism and poverty strangled the lives of people in general but women and girls in particular.
January 31, 2026 at 8:39 AM
The town of Granard, then only a rural village of 1,285 souls reacted in a variety of ways to these horrific events.
Ireland was a religious theocracy. The Catholic Church, conservativism and poverty strangled the lives of people in general but women and girls in particular.
Ireland was a religious theocracy. The Catholic Church, conservativism and poverty strangled the lives of people in general but women and girls in particular.
Although barbaric scenes like this have played out countless times in "modern" Ireland, this instance captured the country's imagination. The 80s were a more media-savvy age than ever and with the added symbolic poignancy of the grotto was impossible to ignore.
January 31, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Although barbaric scenes like this have played out countless times in "modern" Ireland, this instance captured the country's imagination. The 80s were a more media-savvy age than ever and with the added symbolic poignancy of the grotto was impossible to ignore.
Amid the darkness and cold, Ann will give birth to a stillborn baby. Compounding that unimaginable tragedy which occurred in this dreary garden of Gethsemane, just hours later the teenage mother will also perish in Mullingar hospital.
January 31, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Amid the darkness and cold, Ann will give birth to a stillborn baby. Compounding that unimaginable tragedy which occurred in this dreary garden of Gethsemane, just hours later the teenage mother will also perish in Mullingar hospital.
But whilst this child is certainly innocent and worthy of help, and this is a place where pious people come to seek assistance from Our Lady, her desperate prayers will not be answered that lonely night.
January 31, 2026 at 8:39 AM
But whilst this child is certainly innocent and worthy of help, and this is a place where pious people come to seek assistance from Our Lady, her desperate prayers will not be answered that lonely night.
SOURCES: Gary Branigan's "Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland" (2012), The History Press; tcd.ie/news_events/articles; m.independent.ie/irish-news/history.
m.independent.ie
January 30, 2026 at 10:07 AM
SOURCES: Gary Branigan's "Ancient and Holy Wells of Ireland" (2012), The History Press; tcd.ie/news_events/articles; m.independent.ie/irish-news/history.
One final legend is that frogs were introduced to Ireland when they spawned spontaneously from the well. Another tale says an English doctor imported frog spawn from Liverpool and threw it in to show his zeal against popery. That would certainly show that pesky pontiff!
January 30, 2026 at 10:07 AM
One final legend is that frogs were introduced to Ireland when they spawned spontaneously from the well. Another tale says an English doctor imported frog spawn from Liverpool and threw it in to show his zeal against popery. That would certainly show that pesky pontiff!
Property deeds from 1592 mention it as a feature of the southern border. In 1610, an English journalist noted that on St. Patrick’s Day, people ran there in heaps to perform ceremonies and drink the water. He sardonically remarked that the water was either holier then or the people more foolish.
January 30, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Property deeds from 1592 mention it as a feature of the southern border. In 1610, an English journalist noted that on St. Patrick’s Day, people ran there in heaps to perform ceremonies and drink the water. He sardonically remarked that the water was either holier then or the people more foolish.
The debris was spread along Patrick’s Well Lane (now Nassau Street). This resulted in the well going partially underground and being reduced to 4 feet deep. A 12th-century tract claims the fountain was created by Patrick himself, Moses style, by smacking a rock with his magic crozier.
January 30, 2026 at 10:07 AM
The debris was spread along Patrick’s Well Lane (now Nassau Street). This resulted in the well going partially underground and being reduced to 4 feet deep. A 12th-century tract claims the fountain was created by Patrick himself, Moses style, by smacking a rock with his magic crozier.
This was likely the primary baptismal well where the first converts in Dublin were bathed. Ironically, its fate was tied to the pagan Vikings. The well was originally 40 feet deep with a ground-level opening. However, debris from the 17th-century demolition of a Viking mound changed everything.
January 30, 2026 at 10:07 AM
This was likely the primary baptismal well where the first converts in Dublin were bathed. Ironically, its fate was tied to the pagan Vikings. The well was originally 40 feet deep with a ground-level opening. However, debris from the 17th-century demolition of a Viking mound changed everything.
In 2009, a structural survey was performed due to worries that construction of the Luas line could damage the ancient structure. It seems the only action taken was to lock up the well permanently. Despite claims that other sites are the "real" location, archaeology supports the Nassau Street site.
January 30, 2026 at 10:07 AM
In 2009, a structural survey was performed due to worries that construction of the Luas line could damage the ancient structure. It seems the only action taken was to lock up the well permanently. Despite claims that other sites are the "real" location, archaeology supports the Nassau Street site.
This is the magical Saint Patrick's Holy Well! It was once a famous landmark and pilgrimage site. The well was even the subject of a satirical poem by Jonathan Swift. Legend says when the well dried up in 1729, Swift mocked the Trinity students, implying they had drunk the entire well dry.
January 30, 2026 at 10:07 AM
This is the magical Saint Patrick's Holy Well! It was once a famous landmark and pilgrimage site. The well was even the subject of a satirical poem by Jonathan Swift. Legend says when the well dried up in 1729, Swift mocked the Trinity students, implying they had drunk the entire well dry.
Look near the garden of the Provost's House at the Trinity Arts building. From the road, you will see a crumbling 1950s concrete pillar. From the Trinity side, you will see a locked gate. Beneath that are Georgian red bricks and steps leading to an ancient stone basin beneath Nassau Street itself.
January 30, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Look near the garden of the Provost's House at the Trinity Arts building. From the road, you will see a crumbling 1950s concrete pillar. From the Trinity side, you will see a locked gate. Beneath that are Georgian red bricks and steps leading to an ancient stone basin beneath Nassau Street itself.
Bernard "Barney" McGuigan (41) was waving a white handkerchief as he attempted to help his wounded friend Patrick Doherty when he was shot in the back of the head.
January 30, 2026 at 6:36 AM
Bernard "Barney" McGuigan (41) was waving a white handkerchief as he attempted to help his wounded friend Patrick Doherty when he was shot in the back of the head.