Dublin – Creation Occupation Destruction by Niall McCullough

In the book, Niall McCullough explores the city of Dublin, focusing on how it was made, occupied, and then lost. His goal is to document what we've lost, reminding us of forgotten spaces, streets, and entire neighbourhoods, as well as the connection between people and their surroundings. The book consists of an introduction and three essays, complemented by almost 400 photographs spanning the 1840s to the 1980s. In a time when cranes and extensive development dominate the cityscape, the book aims to contribute to the ongoing conversation about the city, placing value on what remains.

Tragically, halfway through the project, Niall passed away following a short illness. The persistence and determination of Niall's partner Valerie Mulvin over the subsequent two years completed the work as Niall intended, creating a fitting tribute to an incredible man and the city he loved. The location of some imagery Niall planned to include was lost with him; about 20 pictures were still missing at the time of publication. We chose to respect his vision by including these, despite the lower quality, with a note explaining the situation.

The book's form and aesthetic emerged from early discussions we had with Niall, sharing references from our book collections. Mid-century International Architecture (his) and '50s Swiss Graphic Design (ours) provided a common modernist ground. The incredible imagery informed the layouts and typographic decisions, with captions placed discreetly so as not to distract or draw the reader's focus. A blend of sans and serif typefaces nods to the historic nature of the material, while emphasising its relevance to contemporary discussions.