It’s October, It’s Halloween, and It Is SPOOKY! This time of year has a tonne of fun events as we see Halloween, Dark Nights, Festive and Christmas Time! I love it! The Dublin Festival of History takes place this week, and I have hand picked 5 FREE events as part of the DFOH for you.

1. Stanford 100: Pipeworks Organ Recitals

2. Surprising Survivals: The Fire of 1922

3. Reeling in the Queers: Tales of Ireland’s LGBTQ Past

4. Richmond Barracks: Creating a Timeline

5. Children’s Workshop: Create your own history trail

Of course, there is an incredible event happening in Gormley’s this week too, with a selection of works from Warhol, Banksy, Hirst & Dali all on display. This is a free ticketless event too!

Stanford 100: Pipeworks Organ Recitals

Sunday 6th | 19:00 | Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

2024 marks the centenary of the death of Dublin born composer, Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. With a strong association with Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Stanford was one of the most significant composers of his day and left a large body of work in many genres, including orchestra music and opera.

It is however, for his organ and choral music he is principally remembered today. This series presents concerts of Stanford’s organ music, each featuring one of his organ Sonatas and other works.

The series is given by a five of Ireland’s leading organists.

Get Tickets Now

Surprising Survivals: The Fire of 1922

Saturday 5th | 11.00 | Irish Manuscript Commision

The Irish Manuscripts Commission (IMC) was founded in 1928 after the catastrophic fire at the Four Courts in 1922 which destroyed 700 years of Ireland’s documentary heritage.

IMC marked the 100th anniversary of that event with a special issue of its journal Analecta Hibernica — ‘The Fire of 1922’.

It includes the first published listing of records retrieved from the rubble, alongside other surprising survivals from archives in Ireland, Britain, and the United States.

Listen as contributors discuss some of their most intriguing discoveries, including letters that reveal the last days at the Public Record Office of Ireland.

No booking required.

Reeling in the Queers: Tales of Ireland’s LGBTQ Past

Saturday 5th | 13:00 | Richmond Barracks

Marking fifty years of the founding of an LGBTQ rights movement in Ireland, Reeling in the Queers explores the lesser-known stories of the fight for LGBTQ rights since 1974, beyond decriminalisation and Marriage Equality. These stories celebrate a strong community and its allies, and speak across the generations. Together, they tell a new story of the gains, losses, devastation and community rising from the ashes of defeat.

Former President Mary McAleese has described Reeling in the Queers as ‘a fascinating read.’ Author Páraic Kerrigan will discuss his research, drawing from oral history as well as archives.

Note: Limited spaces, booking essential.

Richmond Barracks: Creating a Timeline

Sunday 5th | 11:00 | Richmond Barracks

Justine Murphy created a physical and digital timeline of Dublin’s Richmond Barracks and this has offered an opportunity to illustrate it’s long footprint using drawings, newspapers, prints, photographs, audio and maps.

This talk explores the challenge of telling that story in visual form while at the same time bringing you through the history of the barracks, including: the poet Francis Ledwidge, the 1916 Rising, social housing and education. It is now home to creative workshops, talks, a garden and Inchicore public library.

Note: Limited spaces, booking essential.

Children’s Workshop: Create your own history trail

Saturday 5th | 11:00 | Charleville Mall Library

Join Dublin’s Historian in Residence for Children, Dervilia Roche for a free, interactive workshop for children aged 9 – 12.

Discover the history of Charleville Mall and the surrounding area, and explore some historical maps that tell us the story of the city. Design your own map and history trail to take home.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the workshop.

Note: Limited spaces, booking essential.

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