As Dublin Zoo makes the transition from bars and cages to state-of-the-art animal habitats its story, beginning in 1831, is recorded, richly illustrated with images of animals and visitors. The mixed fortunes of the Zoo are traced as it survived the famine years, political trouble, economic hardship and public discomfort with wild animals kept in cages. Dublin Zoo's proud past is united with present and future direction as the extraordinary changes in recent years are described.
Preface vii Introduction Chapter 1 Foundation: 1830 Chapter 2 Consolidation: 1860 Chapter 3 Expansion and war: 1895 Chapter 4 Peaceful resort: 1922 Chapter 5 Growth and decline: 1950 Chapter 6 Radical Change: 1980 Chapter 7 Into the future: 2000 Appendix A: Presidents of the Zoological Society of Ireland Appendix B: Superintendents and directors of Dublin Zoo. Endnotes. Picture Credits. Index.
Catherine de Courcy grew up in Dublin, graduated from UCD in 1979 and became a professional librarian. She worked in libraries in Ireland, Papua New Guinea and Australia. She travelled the Australian outback with her husband, John, and wrote several guidebooks. She has an international reputation as a historian of zoos. In 2003, some years after John's death, she returned to Ireland and is now a full-time writer. Her book An Adventure in Grief (Cork, 2009) recounts how Catherine coped with the death of her husband.
'Shines a light on the rich and varied tapestry of Dublin Zoo's 179-year history' Sunday Business Post 'Some of the more memorable and exciting moments [of Dublin Zoo's history] are brought to life by 400 dramatic images' Irish Daily Mail 'A joy to read' Irish Examiner