Pounding the pavement and recording these people is all very fine but perhaps a little academic. Instead, I hope this blog will develop a life of its own – with a proper map of personalities, a series of walks and tours and ultimately an idea that can be transferred to any combination of country and city. Your contributions to achieving this are all welcome.
GOLDSMITH Oliver, poet and playwright – born Co. Longford 1730 – there is a cenotaph in his honour at Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey, SW1P. He lived at many London addresses for years avoiding debtors until he was ‘discovered’. One of his best-remembered works, She Stoops to Conquer (Mistakes of a Night) was written while lodging at a farm house in Hyde Lane – now Colindale North West London. He was buried (1774) in the burial ground of the Church of Saint Mary (Middle Temple church yard).
MACLISE Daniel, artist and painter of The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife born Cork 1806, lived Kensal Green North West London, died 1870. Thanks to the Willesden Local History Society for this entry.
Erskine Childers (Snr) CHILDERS Robert Erskine, revolutionary and author (born Mayfair 1870 – 1922) and his son, CHILDERS Erskine Hamilton, former President of Ireland, born 13 Embankment Gardens London SW3 1905 (died, Ireland 1974).
7 Buckingham Gate SW1E birth place of Constance Georgine Gore-Booth, Countess Markiewicz, nationalist and suffragette (born 1868 died Dublin 1927).
A monument to the unknown Irish immigrant, The Crown on 142-152 Cricklewood Broadway, NW2 3ED where you can view an emigrant-themed painting by Bernard Canavan and other impressions of the builders of Britain. Up the road, across Cricklewood Lane, is the site of its former neighbour the famous Galtymore. Across the road on Chichele Avenue, casual labourers still wait from early morning looking for work .
BACON Francis, artist (born Dublin 1909 died 1992)
17 Queensberry Mews West, 71 Royal Hospital Road and 7 Reece Mews – now moved to the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin.
WELLINGTON Duke of (Arthur WELLESLEY) soldier and politician,
On being asked about his Irish birth, the Duke replied that being born in a stable doesn’t make one a horse. Bet he only thought of this riposte 10 minutes too late. Maybe he was happier with where he finished up but regardless of his pride in the city, he was born in Dublin 1769 and lived here, Apsley House W1J (No.1 London, Hyde Park Corner – open to the public).
SHACKLETON Sir Ernest Henry, Antarctic explorer (born Co Kildare 1874 died 1922) lived at 12 Westwood Hill, SE26
(Crystal Palace Rail, Penge West Rail)
on pavement grey 