A Finglas Story 2 - Growing Pains

It is difficult to know for whom the culture shock was greatest - the locals of Finglas, who saw their picturesque, little village swamped by a staggering influx of inner-city Dubs, rehoused from the tenements, or those thousands of people, for whom Finglas was a country experience that was alien to their urban experience. The second episode of A Finglas Story - Growing Pains, hears from both sides, as the population of Finglas rocketed from a few hundred to 53,000 in just two decades. The population explosion led to a number of challenges, as amenities were slow to follow the growth. Both locals and newcomers, had no choice but to pull together, and a spirit of community began to grow.

[@Rasher1974]

Played WFTA in a football match bringing a team from Coventry to play them the welcome was amazing brought me back to when we lived in Finglas in the late 1950s,

[@tvie]

It was such a huge trip down memory lane for us making the programme. And there was so much more we could have put in!

[@joeboyne277]

My grandmother and my father lived in watery lane and my two sisters, brother and I were all born and raised in Finglas. It is a wonderful place and we have many great memories of growing up there.

[@DeclanCassidy]

My own childhood was spent crossing through Watery Lane to play in the field or by the river. Then it all changed when that dual carriageway sliced through it all. Declan

[@joeboyne277]

@@DeclanCassidy my grandmother had to leave her cottage to allow the dual carriage way proceed and she moved to Plunkett Green.

[@ballockybill2277]

Lovely documentary ! My mother was one of the local Finglas women who blockaded the Toxic Waste dump at Dunsink in the '80s .

[@tvie]

She was probably shoulder to shoulder with my Dad :)

[@ballockybill2277]

@@tvie I was at school with two Brothers named Cassidy , from Deanstown . Went to St Fergals .

[@tvie]

@@ballockybill2277 I remember there was another Cassidy family and I think they had a Declan and a Jacinta too. It caused confusion once when we were at Dr Fagan’s at the same time. :)

[@arkle6109]

I remember your Dad well as I use to work in Finglas. Often saw him walking up the North Road.Never knew he was so talented. I also remember Darren Kinsella. He use to be the local photographer with a local newspaper. Might have been the Northside News? What’s Darren doing now? This documentary series is fantastic and I’m loving it. The girl who’s doing the commentary has a great voice. Well done to everyone involved.

[@DeclanCassidy]

Ah, lovely to think you remember my Dad :) Darren worked with the newspaper that I ran - The Finglas Forum, and the voice is my sister, Jacinta. Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment :) Declan

[@clioflano421]

(@1st) I thought it was Miriam o' Callaghan.

[@2065013]

great documentary. I was in a youth club with Martine Cassidy in 70's

[@tvie]

Thanks so much. I must mention you and the youth club to Martine.