Author Archives: stevedineen

Cable guy

Posted on May 27, 2016 by stevedineen

First, the declaration of self-interest: the author is a friend, a fellow writers’ group member, a personal inspiration in how to persist with the pen. ‘Tony’ – Michael Thurlow to me – was a cable guy and this chronicle offers … Continue reading →

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Six senses of Dublin

Posted on November 12, 2015 by stevedineen

It’s famed for being boozy, good craic, expensive, but beyond the stereotypes what is the real Dublin like? Over the past 18 months this blog has visited many tourist destinations in Dublin and its surrounds. I’ve visited many with tourists, … Continue reading →

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New story published

Posted on September 10, 2015 by stevedineen

‘The Driver’ has been published in The Galway Review: http://thegalwayreview.com/2015/09/04/stephen-dineen-the-driver/

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Open season soon

Posted on August 27, 2015 by stevedineen

If you’re finalising your plans for a weekend in Dublin, try and centre it on mid-October. For one weekend every year, some of the capital’s finest buildings, old and new, open their doors to the public for free, to provide … Continue reading →

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The royal treatment

Posted on August 13, 2015 by stevedineen

If having a gallery of modern art is a pre-requisite for a modern city, James Butler will be resting easily in his grave. In 2012, 63,642 people graced the doors of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). Butler, 1st … Continue reading →

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Famine

Posted on July 30, 2015 by stevedineen

Their backs are turned to you as you walk up river towards Custom House Quay, seven people, their clothes the same lime-brown colour as the trees to their left and right. The quay is always busy – traffic, pedestrians, river … Continue reading →

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‘Papal Games’ – an article published in ‘Lakelands – Past and Present’ (December 2014)

Posted on July 16, 2015 by stevedineen

In time, references to ‘the Pope’s Children’ in the annals of Lakelands Close might refer to those of us born in the early ’80s, conceived amidst the euphoria that gripped the parents of the Close and beyond resulting from John … Continue reading →

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Finding the right pitch

Posted on July 2, 2015 by stevedineen

For visitors to Ireland, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is an intriguing phenomenon. The tourist brought to a Sunday morning game of hurling or gaelic football at a small club’s grounds or in a public park sees passion and pride among … Continue reading →

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High society on Kildare Street

Posted on June 18, 2015 by stevedineen

This year marks the two hundredth anniversary of the purchase by the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) of a large, palatial building in the centre of Dublin. The society’s mission was to improve the wretched conditions of the people. It used … Continue reading →

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The green fields of orange

Posted on June 4, 2015 by stevedineen

History leaves confusing signals in its trail, even for its earnest pupils. Visitors who arrive on this island at this time of year will hear a lot about Northern Ireland’s marching season, but perhaps wonder why the Orange Order commemorates … Continue reading →

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