Storymap
Storymap was run by Tom Rowley and Andy Flaherty from 2010 to 2014. It began as a recession-era passion project that they made using their dole money. The aim was to capture the heart of Dublin through its people and their stories, so that you could click on any street and be immersed in a story about it. These stories ranged from historical and literary, to personal anecdotes and memories. We also launched an app so that users could tap into the stories around them as they walked through the city, or generate a walking tour to get them to any location.
In 2013 they were awarded funding by Dublin City UNESCO City of Literature to create a sister website and app called City of Words. Across nearly 30 filmed pieces the project brought Dublin alive through poets, famous excerpts and tales of literary life. Authors such as Dermot Healy, Roddy Doyle, Paula Meehan and Kevin Barry contributed.
In 2015, Storymap went on hiatus, after having collected over 130 stories of Dublin life. Both Andy and Tom went their separate ways, though they still have ambitions to one day return to the project.
Storymap captures Dublin in a fresh and innovative way through its characters and stories. Check out the Storymap collection below.
A short ghost story, set in the old Inchicore Library on Emmet Road. Susan ‘s short ghost story set in the library is a reminder of the excitement when a whole new world is opened to a reader, the first time you step into a library.
Kalle Ryan from the wonderful Brownbread Mixtape has a poem about the people in the pubs who are caught between their dreams and the drink.
This is a story of one of the world’s greatest philosophers Ludwig Wittgenstein and how he ended up in Dublin during the winter of 1948 sitting on the steps in the great palm house of the National Botanic Gardens.
Peadar’s wonderful poem was inspired by his grand-father and having one too many in a local establishment.
Dublin is criss-crossed by glass and metal coverings to cellars. Poet Sean Ruane recites a poem about fear he had in childhood of slipping through these coverings into another world.
Watch I’m afraid this is my stop
“I was in town getting a bit of nosh when this bird, was like, totally checking me out, like totally checking me out. she had a bit of a girl-next-door vibe, if your next door neighbour happens to be Delta Goodrem. So I went over, laid on the charm, like uber thick and I had her eating out of my hond in like, no time. I was about to seal the deal, roysh, but then I noticed, that like, something wasn't right about the bird.”
Alvy Carragher is a very talented young poet and comedy blogger based in Galway who's been making a name for herself with striking and heartfelt poetry. Here she performs a poem about early morning Dublin, seen on the way to the airport for a goodbye that somehow slips away.
A poem about the joys of a Dublin summer by poet Daniel Ryan.
Poet Eileen Casey recites her poem 'The Black Ball Gown', about moving from the midlands to Clanbrassil street, and the dress bought in a charity shop that held in it the promise of a new life. A tender poem filled with a delicate understanding of the loneliness and hopes of city life.
The 'At it Again' group perform an irreverent and sprightly rendition of the juiciest parts of Molly Bloom's monologue from the final chapter in James Joyce's Ulysses. Filmed and recreated in none other than Mattress Mick's bed shop on Pearse street.
Acclaimed poet Paula Meehan recites a poem sequence centred around the 'Lost Children of the inner city' - highlighting the unfair treatment of children throughout Dublin history. Paula was Ireland's Professor of Poetry, and her poetry is well known for depicting minority voices in the city.
Acclaimed slam poet Stephen James Smith performs Patrick Kavanagh's classic poem 'On Raglan Road'. Stephen is a Dublin born poet blazing a trail in Dublin with a fiery and moving performance style.
Poet Colm Keegan remembers a strange and frightening figure from his youth who he often saw around this spot - a figure who became part of Dublin legend and hid a tragic past.
Sheridan LeFanu is a fascinating figure in Irish Literature - an early and highly influential Gothic writer who led a life tinged with madness and solitude. Here Valeria Cavalli returns to LeFanu's dining room to tell the story of his life in this house and the impact this had on him. Valeria prepared a thesis on LeFanu's depiction of madness for her phD.
Actor Gerry Lee recounts the odd and surprising life of celebrated poet James Clarence Mangan. Mangan served as an altar boy in what is now the Smock Alley theatre, and his unusual habits and strange clothes made him a well-known Dublin figure.
For forty years from 1949, Parsons Bookshop was a Dublin literary landmark and meeting place. Situated on the crest of Baggot Street's Grand Canal bridge, it defined the Bohemian quarter of writers and artists known as Baggotonia. Owned by May O'Flaherty, who was ably assisted by Mary King and three other ladies, the shop played a major role in Ireland's literary and cultural development. Parsons was second home to Brendan Behan and Patrick Kavanagh. Other customers included Flann O'Brien, Liam O'Flaherty, Frank O'Connor, Mary Lavin, Nobel prizewinner Seamus Heaney and artists Patrick Pye, John Behan and Noel Lewis.
Critically Acclaimed author Kevin Barry tells a witty and imaginative tale of a series of apparitions across Dublin, that bring the old writers of the city crashing into the lives of modern Dubliners. Kevin, originally from Limerick, is currently based in Sligo. His first novel, City of Bohane won The Dublin Literary Award in 2013.
Renowned singer Noel O'Grady recreates a moment from 'The Dead' by James Joyce in the spot where it occurred. A beautiful and haunting short story of love, jealousy, Dublin hospitality and mortality - The Dead is considered a masterpiece of the short story. The scene Noel recreates is one of the most famous in literature - in which Gretta listens to a far off song, reminding her of a distant memory.
Mark discusses the life and writings of one of Dublin's most famous authors and satirists Jonathan Swift. Set in St Patrick's Cathedral where Swift was the Dean of the cathedral, Mark tells us more about the relationship Swift shared with Esther Johnston, his former student, life-long companion and his eternal partner as the pair are buried beside one another in the cathedral.
Zozimus, the blind bard, has gone down in Dublin folklore as a legendary figure. Here he's brought brilliantly to life by Bernard and Ben from the Liberties Heritage Project, in the area of his birth.
Acclaimed Irish author Dermot Healy talks about teenage life in Dublin - working as a barman, drinking and dances, and the whirling strange mess of the city. He reads a piece, abridged, from 'The Bend for Home', an autobiographical account based on his early diaries.
Rapping, rhyming, bodhran-beating, lilt-lulling performing artist Temper-Mental MissElayneous gives us a fantastic poem Fakes and Manners provoked from her experiences of being a teenager in the city centre.
A new piece by acclaimed Irish author Roddy Doyle about that much-maligned Dublin landmark The Spire. With a simple style, Roddy evokes a small and delicate moment at the monument. The story is a Storymap exclusive, and is read by the wonderful poet Sarah Maria Griffin. The sound design was by Ruth Farrar, and the animation by Ray Keogh.
Poet Kerrie O Brien gives us a short poem about Pearse street, revealing a small hidden part of its history. Kerrie is one of Ireland's most promising up and coming poets, having won several awards and performed her poetry around the country.
Sweny's chemist is as astonishing little time capsule of Dublin from the 1900's. Made famous in the 'Lotus Eaters' chapter of Ulysses by James Joyce, it's also an area which was very dear to the notorious author who first met his wife at the corner. PJ - a dapper gent who volunteers at the shop, tells the tales of it here.
Read, Watch, Listen
If Ever You Go: A Map of Dublin in Poetry and Song
Dublin, One City, Many Stories - Video One, Joseph O’ Connor
Dublin, One City, Many Stories - Video Two, The Writers' Roundtable
Gulliver's Travels
