Identity area
Reference code
IE LMOD 610
Title
1950s Elephant Rides in Dublin Zoo
Date(s)
- Twentieth Century (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
Photographic paper, ink. 32 x 41 cm
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Archival history
24/08/2011
Content and structure area
Scope and content
A black and white photo of children queuing to ride an elephant with a number of children already on top.
Dublin Zoo opened in 1831, with 46 mammals and 72 birds donated by London Zoo. In 1840 the zoo made the radical decision to charge only a penny for entry on Sundays, thus endearing itself to many Dubliners. One of the best-loved zoo-keepers was Jimmy Kenny, who oversaw elephant rides in the 1950s and 1960s. Jimmy was the father of Pat Kenny, one of Ireland’s most famous broadcasters. Elephant rides are a thing of the past now, of course.