WATCH: 4,000 years of Tallaght crafted into epic poem

SOME 4,000 years of Tallaght’s history has been crafted into an epic poem, which remembers the past and celebrates the present.

The 15-verse poem was written by local history enthusiast Albert Perris as part of a Tallaght Community Council (TCC) initiative to mark Heritage Week 2021.

The poem provides the backdrop to a video produced by TCC that captures the beauty and vastness of Tallaght’s unique landscape – both rural and urban.

Many of the places featured in the eight-minute video are familiar, well-known locations – from St Colmcille’s Well up to Mountpelier Hill and Deselby Grotto to Ballymount Gatehouse.

However, the video, which shoots locations from the ground and air, visually celebrates Tallaght’s historical and scenic locations in one fell swoop, and the urban areas they connect to.

Tallaght’s streams, rivers, parklands, hills and mountains, and the diverse flora and fauna that thrive, are also captured as the camera sweeps over the area’s landscape – accompanied by Albert’s words.

In a comment to The Echo, Albert said: “I grew up in Seskin View in Tallaght looking out onto the Dodder and mountains every day.

“I have a strong connection to Tallaght and a deep, persistent interest in our history.

“I believe we have a long, rich and intriguing history that stretches back 4,000 years.

“It’s one that deserves more coverage and celebration than it currently gets.

“I want to try to capture our history to ensure it lives on and as many people as possible learn a little bit more about Tallaght and its people.”

Albert, who is TCC’s Heritage Officer, has also written a book on local history and runs a blog called, A Ramble about Tallaght.

Alongside celebrating Heritage Week, the video, which was made with support from Amazon Web Services (AWS), is part of TCC’s alternative celebrations to Tallafest, #LoveTallaghtOutdoors2021.

The community-led group has produced two videos that showcase Tallaght’s history and its great outdoors, with a second video, which focuses on the village, people and recreation, due out this September.

The video also promotes Tallaght as a tourist destination, as it showcases the seamless blend of new and old, rural and urban.

As Albert puts it as he signs off on his poem: “If you want to escape from Dubh Linn, and its rush

“Come on out to Tallaght and the Glen of the Thrush.”

According to Tara De Buitlear, Volunteer PRO of TCC, the first video was viewed more than 3,000 times in the first three days of going live, showing the “grá” out there for Tallaght’s history.

“It is a visual feast of scenic shots from the ground and air across the lesser seen parts of Tallaght to capture the version of Tallaght many locals know and love,” Tara said.

“We recommend you set eight minutes aside to watch the video and be prepared to be dazzled and extremely proud afterwards.”

TCC also has two digital events on this year’s Heritage Week schedule, Tallaght a Journey through 4,000 Years of History and a video Celebrating Tallaght Waterways.

Running until August 22, further details and Heritage Week events can be found at www.heritageweek.ie.