When Ringsend Was Centre of the World 1961

 

In 1961, Ringsend found itself at the heart of Catholic pageantry when the Papal Legate of Pope John 23rd, Cardinal Gregorio Pietro Agagianian arrived in the capital as part of the Patrician Year celebrations.  The Pope despatched the Armenian born cleric to Ireland, arriving at Dublin airport to be greeted by the Taoiseach Sean Lemass and the Archbishop of Dublin John Charles McQuaid. 

The celebrations were to coincide with the 1,500^th anniversary of the death of St. Patricks and as the church in Ringsend was the only Catholic church at the time dedicated to the national saint in the city, it was appropriate that this major event take place here. His itinerary outside Dublin included a visit to the Medical Missionaries of Mary in Drogheda, and to Cork, where he suggested that Irish emigration has been a providential method of spreading the Catholic Faith through the English-speaking world. The Cardinal received an honorary degree from President Eamon de Valera in his capacity as Chancellor of the National University of Ireland, then came a visit to the library of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty and celebrate mass in Croke Park but it was his visit to Ringsend that garnered much of the headlines.

He arrived at a suitably decorated Ringsend Park, in front of thousands of people, where a military guard of honour, drawn from the Irish naval service was inspected by the Cardinal. The was to bless the foundation stone for Our Lady’s Memorial to be built on the South Wall as a beacon for mariners entering and exiting the port. Thousands of pounds had been raised by the dockers and fishermen of the locality to pay for the 60ft memorial which would be illuminated at night as a beacon of hope and safety. 

But despite the best efforts of the local Raytown people and it’s newsworthy start, the planned site was withdrawn as the ESB decided to expand their Poolbeg facility, and a new search began. After numerous proposals and failed to materialise plans eventually ‘Realt na Mara’ designed by Wicklow man Cecil King and standing 60ft tall was erected in 1972 but not on the southside of the River Liffey but at Dollymount where it still stands today. It was unveiled on September 24th, 1972, by Archbishop McQuaid. 

                                    

                                                 

                                  

   

If you want to see some coverage of the visit to Ringsend watch this. 

https://ifiarchiveplayer.ie/hail-glorious-saint-patrick/

The Unveiling of the James Plunkett Kelly Plaque, Bath Street Irishtown

 

(c) RDHS 2025

The Ringsend & Districts Historical Society were delighted to unveil a plaque at 20 Bath Street, Irishtown, the birthplace of author and trade union activist James Plunkett Kelly. The ‘Strumpet City’ author was born here in 1920 and this unique piece of local history was unveiled on Saturday November 1^st 2025.

 

The organising committee of the RDHS and Paul Brannock (facilitator) would like to thank the following people for their support with this project:

Dearbhla McCormick – The current owner of 20 Bath Street, who kindly provided permission to place the plaque on her home.

Valerie and the family of James who attended on the day

Robert Ballagh – Artist

Ruth Hegarty – Actor

Vincent McCabe – Actor

Angela Harding – Actor

Gerry O’Brien – Actor

(All of whom appeared in the 1980 RTE TV adaptation of Strumpet City)

Brian Murray – Actor sent his best wishes but was unable to attend.

The Merry Cobbler Pub and The Stafford Family for their sponsorship and hosting the after event.

The Staff of the Merry Cobbler

Joe Boland – Nephew of James

Gerry Burke – Fixing the Plaque

John J. Cooke & Sons – Woodworkers

Francis Harrison – Special Decorated Cakes

The Irish Labour History Society

News Four & Editor Louise Whelan

And to ALL those who attended on that very special day.

James Plunkett Kelly's granddaughter speaking at the unveiling

Thanks to Paul Brannock, Louise Whelan and Billy Ryan for the photos and video