24 January 2015 - The 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill, British war time Prime Minister and one of the most famous and influential politicians of the 20th Century. What is the link between Marlborough Street, Dublin and Sir Winston Churchill?
Churchill actually lived in the Phoenix Park in Dublin as a child from the age of 2 to 6. His grandfather The Duke of Marlborough, had been appointed Viceroy of Ireland. The Viceroy was then the regal official who ran the country in the name of the monarch. Churchill's father was the Private Secretary to the Viceroy. It was at this time that Marlborough Street got its name.
It is believed that the young Churchill first developed a fascination with military matters from watching the many parades passing the Vice Regal Lodge in the Phoenix Park. The Vice Regal Lodge is now called Aras an Uachtaran and in modern times has become the official residence of the President of Ireland. Churchill's also began his education in Dublin, where a governess became his teacher. Biographies of Churchill report that he spent many happy hours playing in the green fields of the Phoenix Park.
After his early years in Ireland, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill went on to become Prime Minister of his country in 1940, serving until 1945. He had a second term of office from 1951-55 read more