Harold's Cross

HELL: DUBLIN’S FORGOTTEN QUARTER by Maurice Curtis. In his latest book, HELL: Dublin’s Forgotten Quarter, Haroldonian, Historian and Novelist, Maurice Curtis, welcomes you to the dark recesses of Dublin’s long-forgotten HELL. Such was the area’s notoriety, infamy and reputation, from Pettigo to St Petersburg, that the City Fathers eventually decided to demolish the whole area, under the guise of the Wide Streets Commission.
This fascinating saga explores the area of Hell – in the immediate vicinity of
Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral. Here we will discover the origins and story
of this extraordinary, yet long-forgotten area – lying in the very heart of 18th century Dublin, and at a time that coincided with the city’s Golden Age.
The story of Hell is one full of history, mystery, mayhem, and magic: we will
hear of tales from the crypt, the Forty Steps to Hell, Rocque’s Map of Dublin,
whoredom and other vile abominations, when Handel met Swift, the Bull’s
Head, the Moll Malone, and the King of Hell. Moreover, we will meet Pimping Peg – Queen of the Brothels, as well as the legendary Darkey Kelly. We will visit the Eagle Tavern and the Hellfire Club, learn about characters such as Buck Whaley, the Sham Squire, and Copper-faced Jack. We will hear of the Black Dog, the Black Pig, snuff boxes and the Devil’s Head.

MAURICE CURTIS has written many books on Ireland and on Dublin in
particular. These include: THE HELLFIRE CLUB – Dublin’s Dance with the
Devil; THE LIBERTIES IN DUBLIN – Steps, Stones, and Stories; GLASNEVIN IN DUBLIN; TEMPLE BAR: A History; THE LITTLE BOOK OF RATHMINES; MONTO – DUBLIN’S INFAMOUS RED-LIGHT DISTRICT and PLAYING WITH SKULLS – A Dublin Childhood. For more information click here