What it used to be like to drive in Dublin...

SmartinMartin

Remember traffic Guards, bus conductors, phone boxes? Empty streets? Here's a lovely old video of a spin on a bus through mostly south city streets, ending up with a rare glimpse of Nelson's pillar, and not a japanese car in sight(or is there?). Enjoy :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC0xpgmKOT8

Smiles35

Thanks. Was trying to think of were my father would have been. He would have been about 15 so I believe on a bread van run.

I record videos like that for Youtube. Hope they get watched as eagerly in 60 years as this was by me.

Muahahaha

Theres a great video on Youtube somewhere of someone driving from the city out to Howth in the 1950's

Tristram

So few people.

SmartinMartin

Here's a lovely one from the 40s, couldn't find the Howth one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uX1Ji8ToXw

SmartinMartin

And even earlier. Fascinating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsp72dqt4uU

Cienciano

Looks like a pub called Gerard Cook where The Auld Dubliner is now. All the pubs look great back then

jon1981

Loving the amount of cyclists. See how everyone just shared the road and respected each other back then?

368100

SmartinMartin wrote: »

Here's a lovely one from the 40s, couldn't find the Howth one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uX1Ji8ToXw

Why did they get rid of trams altogether?

is_that_so

368100 wrote: »

Why did they get rid of trams altogether?

I believe it was at the behest of motor companies. All happened about the end of the fifties in most of Western Europe.

jon1981

Shame alright, we had quite a network of tramlines...ahead of our time

L1011

is_that_so wrote: »

I believe it was at the behest of motor companies. All happened about the end of the fifties in most of Western Europe.

It was because buses were working out cheaper in the short term. Car manufacturers had nothing to do with it

gaiscioch

Very interesting thread. When did traffic lights replace traffic wardens?

L1011

From the late 1930s but mainly the late 50s on. They were primarily claimed to be a pedestrian safety system; as the majority of people used public transport or bicycles back then

https://comeheretome.com/2012/07/16/the-first-traffic-lights-in-dublin-city-centre/

theteal

SmartinMartin wrote: »

Remember traffic Guards, bus conductors, phone boxes? Empty streets? Here's a lovely old video of a spin on a bus through mostly south city streets, ending up with a rare glimpse of Nelson's pillar, and not a japanese car in sight(or is there?). Enjoy :

I don't know what I expected but I'm a bit surprised at how easily recognisable the streets are. Dame St looks much wider than it is now.

WishUWereHere

SmartinMartin wrote: »

Remember traffic Guards, bus conductors, phone boxes? Empty streets? Here's a lovely old video of a spin on a bus through mostly south city streets, ending up with a rare glimpse of Nelson's pillar, and not a japanese car in sight(or is there?). Enjoy :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC0xpgmKOT8

What a fabulous thread. I never knew that street under the arch at Dublinia was 2 way at one stage.

I remember being taken to Dublin back in the early 60's and going down Grafton Street on the upper deck of an 86 Bus. The buildings were so close then, or at least that's how it felt. Am I right in saying Grafton Street was also 2 way then?

You really have brought back some memories OP...Go Raibh Mhíle Mhaith Agat.

Edgware

jon1981 wrote: »

Shame alright, we had quite a network of tramlines...ahead of our time

Those damm British with their trams and national rail system really held us back.

Edgware

Cienciano wrote: »

Looks like a pub called Gerard Cook where The Auld Dubliner is now. All the pubs look great back then

No draught Guinness, smokes zones like the Western Front, barmen wearing aprons, early houses and the Holy Hour
Ah different times