Liberties Social History Uncovered

Two short films from The Liberties Cultural Association released to coincide with Dublin Festival of History 2020

29.09.20

Life, Love The Liberties

The Liberties Cultural Association have launched two new video pieces as part of their ongoing exploration of social history and folklore in The Liberties. The films are being made public to coincide with this year’s Dublin Festival of History.

The first film produced under the project looks at Quaker history in The Liberties and features Christopher Moriarty, curator of Friends Historical Library at Stocking Lane.  The Quakers – or Religious Society of Friends to give them their proper name – have a centuries-long connection to The Liberties, including the city’s earliest Friends’ meetinghouse at Meath Street and the little-known Quaker burial grounds at Cork Street.

Christopher Moriarity talks about the charitable ethos of The Quaker Community and its work in the area in this short introductory film (6 mins). The clip forms part of a larger ongoing collaboration between the Quaker Community and the Liberties Cultural Association, celebrating the links between the Quakers and The Liberties. More on that in 2021!

 

The second film is an interview with local Noel Fleming of Meath Street. Noel talks about starting work in The Liberties in 1963 at the age of 13 in what was then Arthur’s Shop at 56 Thomas Street. More recently, Noel is well known for his deli at 3 Meath Mart and for his work with Penny Dinners and other organisations in the area.  Noel brings to life the social history of The Liberties, the people, the shops and daily life (51 mins).

Noel and Christopher share their knowledge of different aspects of the area with genuine warmth, wit and affection.

The Liberties Folklore Project began in 2019 as an initiative of Liberties Cultural Association working with the Folklore Department of UCD and Dublin City Council Libraries through the Historians in Residence programme. The Liberties Cultural Association can be contacted at libertiesculturalassociation@gmail.com and you can follow them on Facebook. A new website is planned for early next year.

The Dublin Festival of History 2020 runs until 4th October. More at www.dublinfestivalofhistory.ie

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