Two centuries ago
8 Aug 1752Last Tuesday (4th) the Liberties and Franchises of this City were ridden and perambulated by the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and City Officers, and by the, 24 Corporations who all made a very”fine appearance. But some unruly Vagabonds at the Poddle took the City Sword and one of them ran away with it, upon which the Poddle Guard was called to prevent mischief and the Fellow who stole the Sword was taken and sent to Newgate…. The Coopers-had a lusty jolly Man, with a very comely-face, to represent Bacchus, bestriding a Tun, at one end which sat two Trumpeters, who played several Bacchanalian Tunes, which gave great _Pleasure …
— Faulkner’s Dublin Journal,
August 8th 1752
As Dublin is allowed to be the dirtiest City in the World, and as all Methods which have been tried to make the Contractors for cleansing the Streets for which they are paid such large Sums, have proved ineffectual, it is hoped the Wisdom of the Legislature will Interfere to relieve the in habitants of this Complaint.
—Hibernian Journal,
November 8th, 1777