Dublin Festival of History to bring city's past to life
What happened to the so-called Floozie in the Jacuzzi after the infamous statue was decommissioned from O'Connell Street, is just one of the stories being told as part of the Dublin Festival of History that got under way over the weekend.
The Dublin Festival of History, the world's largest free history event, kicked off with over 300 events exploring the city's past. The festival, running for two weeks, features a diverse range of talks and activities, from the story of the controversial Anna Livia monument to rare access to a preserved flat in the Iveagh Trust. The Anna Livia statue, originally erected in 1988 for the city's millennium celebrations, became a subject of public scrutiny due to its unorthodox design and subsequent misuse.
After 13 years, the council removed the statue in 2001 to make way for the Spire. Despite being moved to a new location, the monument continues to generate discussion about the afterlife of public art. Meanwhile, the Iveagh Trust's preserved flat, once home to three generations of the Molloy family, offers a unique glimpse into life in Dublin from 1915 to 2002.
Donal Fallon, a Social Historian and Programmer, highlights the festival's aim to foster a renewed appreciation for Dublin's rich history.
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