THE WAXIES DARGLE DERBY
Sandymount Strand is a popular landmark in South Dublin and part of the Dublin Bay Biosphere Reserve.
The Waxies' Dargle, a unique slice of Dublin's social history, was a lively gathering held annually on Easter Monday and Whit Monday at Sandymount Strand, near Scald Hill. Far from the genteel "dargles" enjoyed by the upper classes along the River Dargle, this event was the domain of Dublin's bootmakers, or "waxies," known for their use of wax to waterproof footwear.
From the late 1700s well into the 1800s, fleets of jaunting cars would congregate at Nelson's Pillar, ferrying the waxies and their families to the seaside revelry. Once at Scald Hill, the festivities unfolded, with tents providing food and drink, while fiddles and melodeons filled the air with music. It was a day of joyous release, a chance for the working class to escape the city's grime and celebrate together.
The Waxies' Dargle became so ingrained in Dublin's cultural memory that echoes of it persisted even into the 20th century. James Joyce famously referenced it in Ulysses, and a "Donkey Race for the Waxies Dargle Derby" was held as late as 1919.
Today, the Waxies' Dargle exists only in historical accounts and the occasional mention in literature. The tradition itself has faded, but it remains a fascinating reminder of a time when Sandymount Strand served as a backdrop for the vibrant spirit and community of Dublin's working class.
The Waxies' Dargle, a unique slice of Dublin's social history, was a lively gathering held annually on Easter Monday and Whit Monday at Sandymount Strand, near Scald Hill. Far from the genteel "dargles" enjoyed by the upper classes along the River Dargle, this event was the domain of Dublin's bootmakers, or "waxies," known for their use of wax to waterproof footwear.
From the late 1700s well into the 1800s, fleets of jaunting cars would congregate at Nelson's Pillar, ferrying the waxies and their families to the seaside revelry. Once at Scald Hill, the festivities unfolded, with tents providing food and drink, while fiddles and melodeons filled the air with music. It was a day of joyous release, a chance for the working class to escape the city's grime and celebrate together.
The Waxies' Dargle became so ingrained in Dublin's cultural memory that echoes of it persisted even into the 20th century. James Joyce famously referenced it in Ulysses, and a "Donkey Race for the Waxies Dargle Derby" was held as late as 1919.
Today, the Waxies' Dargle exists only in historical accounts and the occasional mention in literature. The tradition itself has faded, but it remains a fascinating reminder of a time when Sandymount Strand served as a backdrop for the vibrant spirit and community of Dublin's working class.
THE WAXIES DARGLE DERBY