Standoff at The Walkinstown Roundabout | The Story of Michael "Chicken" Cullen | Dublin Ireland

[@laszlonesebestyen01]

Dear Peter! Every street, building, and park in Dublin has a story to tell. This roundabout also has a fantastic and instructive history. Thanks for sharing this too.

[@walkingwithpeter]

Dear Susan! Thank you kindly. So happy you enjoyed the story of Michael Cullen and the roundabout. Hope you are having a wonderful day. Peter☘️

[@kieranlynham8820]

I remember it well,I grew up about 200yds. from his cottage on greenhills rd. he was a really nice man he would stand outside his cottage for hours and talk to everyone who passed by. I knew him from when I was in a pram when my father and mother would go for a walk on a Sunday and stop to talk to him, up to the time he passed away, Rest in paece Michael a great carachter.

[@Lee-nh5bb]

@@kieranlynham8820 When people actually talked to each other in the street. I still look for those opportunities, but they're rare.

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thats great to hear from someone who knew him. Thanks for watching.

[@hallohallo1332]

I remember him well too. We were across the road in one of the terraced houses on Walkinstown Road.

[@bostaffterrier7293]

Brilliant video my good sir and it was uplifting to hear the good people of walkinstown standing up for this man ànd his right to live in his own home i will look fondly on the old people of walkinstown knowing this bit of their history. Its such a pity that ireland is not like this anymore. Oh how I long for the old days

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks so much

[@RaulMeatFactory1975]

Hats off to Mr Cullen and the folk of Walkinstown, the roundabout should be renamed Cullen's Roundabout. I'd imagine there are other similar stories of people standing against the development/redevelopment of Dublin. Thanks for doing the research and sharing this little gem of Dublin history. If you haven't seen them, check out a series of small documentaries made in the late 70's early 80's called "Dublin A Personal View" with the great Eamonn MacThomais.

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you!

[@Keno22-q7l]

When people stuck together

[@stephenwhelan2515]

A fascinating and well researched piece of local history.

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you!

[@typhoontim125]

Brilliant Peter...fascinating story...well done Micheal Cullen!

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you!

[@markfenner7005]

My Dad came from Whitehall road and told me about chicken Cullen. I search the internet with little joy to find out more. Thanks for putting up this video

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you kindly. Glad you found it.

[@ThreeMinuteTales]

I was born not too far away in a house on Moeran road. Although I was only a young lad, I remember the house and the outrage that the council caused regarding Michael Cullen. They showed no compassion or regard for him. 😡 Great video Peter 👍🏻 Liked and subbed

[@paulinenicoll6917]

there still the same today.

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you!

[@rogertemple7193]

I really enjoy hearing the story about Michael Cullen and also seeing the beautiful city of Dublin. I always enjoy watching your videos about Ireland and my mother's fathers family came from the area of Connonagh thank you and until your next video take care Peter.☕👍🇮🇪

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you Roger. Glad you enjoyed the story☘️

[@mow3186]

I had a big smile when I came across this. I remember the hullabaloo about the cottage. I remember being stuck in a traffic queue but my dad never had a bad word against mr. Collins, even though everyone was inconvenienced by the impasse the community supported “the old man in the cottage” as I remember him. I was born in 1963 so only have a little memory of the events. I do remember the day he moved to his new cottage though. I must have told my wife this story so many times, I was thrilled to be able to send her the link to prove I wasn’t talking out of my hat. Thanks for a wonderful video.

[@walkingwithpeter]

That's so great. Thank you.

[@BrendaCarey-m9u]

I remember Mick Cullen, I was reared on Walkinstown Avenue , I remember before the roundabout was built and then Mick moved into the bungalow directly opposite my house

[@seamusweber8298]

Brilliant content, thank you for this history. I am ashamed to say that I never knew this story before now. Fair dues to Michael and Michael's neighbours for their solidarity. We need more solidarity like that, now

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you!

[@johnburns6422]

Thank you for sharing this video / I moved to live and work in Dublin in 1960 and stayed with my cousin in Walkinstown i remember the house in the middle of roundabout also the local people offering help to Mr Cullen some of those had just moved from rural Ireland Kerry/ Cork /Mayo one such person was a local school teacher called Jerome O, Shea, Kerry footballer whose son Conor is into rugby , now i,m eighty years old that video brings back Fond memories , the Star cinema and the Apollo cinema , After forty plus years in Dublin i moved out to a quite rural area, Dublin was good to me and many a country person , Thanks for the Memories , Up Kerry/ Up the Dubs , More videos please .

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. So glad you enjoyed the video.

[@connoroleary591]

Surprisingly good content. I didn't expect it to be so interesting and well researched.

[@BRaff-hl4ip]

Imagine... the new bungalow being demolished while you were filming .

[@Mancozeb100]

Yes, used to walk by Cullen’s cottage on way up to Cherryfield Road - coming from Drimnagh Castle school. The Parkway pub, Dessie’s shop (Desmonds) and an Esso garage were where the Kestrel Pub is now. Remember Michael and his sister - didn’t know she was called Dolly until now! Remember the kerfuffle over it and the disgraceful way the council isolated him in the cottage on the temporary roundabout, before they demolished the cottage. Seeing how the Council staff drag their heels on so many things, it makes it even more maddening to see how quick they were to demolish Cullen’s cottage. We used walk up past the high walls of Wilkinstown House before it was demolished. At least they preserved some of the old trees.

[@paddyconnolly6213]

I rember protesting as a young boy with my mother outside his house , we were connollys from walkinstown crescent , great man .

[@Mr.L007]

Near 30 odd years ago i use to cycle through that roundabout on a mountain bike then up the hill towards greenhills and onwards to Tallaght. When i think of it now at this age. Im amazed im still here to type this now

[@ianm1470]

Great story indeed ~ I’m so glad that Michael stood his ground 👍🏻

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you Ian. Glad you liked it!

[@hamthelad]

Fascinating, thank you for cresting the video

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks for watching

[@mrsinn2642]

Thanks for this and looking forward to more!

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you.

[@BrianBoru5523]

Thank you Sir.

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you

[@MU-2]

You know Dublin like the back of your hand. Peter. Wonderful stories that would be otherwise lost in the rush for “improvements.”

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you!

[@peterbutler256]

I grew up very close to the roundabout and I remember seeing the cottage on it when I was young. It was shameful the way the Council tried to steamroller him into submission and should have shown more humanity. However, I would also say that cities and towns also have to change to adapt to the needs of a growing population. The viewers decrying the removal of the cottage may well live in housing that was railed against by the local people when it was being planned/built. Would they prefer if their now home had not been built?

[@ebinsf]

Great video! Welcome back, Peter!

[@walkingwithpeter]

Hi Eric! Thanks so much. Glad you liked the video☘️

[@ebinsf]

@@walkingwithpeter BTW- I had a great time in Dublin. It was great walking around some of the places I've seen in your videos. You were a part of making our trip so memorable. We had amazing weather too! Sunny, 21°, and almost no rain.

[@pascalennis9123]

Well done Peter,just discovered your channel, a well put together vidio ,the soft backround music was good,poor Michael ,but he was no chicken

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you kindly

[@rokelly5957]

Well done Peter. 👍

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you!

[@PhilSheridan-u3t]

Love this video thanks for sharing

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaeljohnston6527]

Wonderful to see grew up in walkinstown fond memories what a brave man

[@willc1294]

irony about the walkinstown roundabout is that many have to drive through it to sit the test in tallaght while the roundabout isn't on any of the test routes, while none of the roundabouts on those routes can rival the walkinstown one 😆

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I know it too well! The exit to Ballymount industrial estate takes me to Jimi’s music store!!!!

[@lynncook1281]

Great story Peter.

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks so much Lynn

[@mobbyontour]

really interesting story 👍 beautiful views of Dublin 🤩 Thanks for sharing and greetings from Leroy 🐶🍀🌻🌺

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you Leroy!

[@andreasobuaculla9511]

Learn something new and interesting every day I go by there often

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@2learn4ever]

I'll pop to Walkinstown as soon as I can. I hope they build houses there and not apartments or offices.

[@johnbevan7940]

You have two hopes of that mate Bob and none. That won't be happening in greedy Ireland.

[@TheBrowntown1982]

@@2learn4ever yes 3 houses

[@shanenevin1676]

What a great story about a great man Dublin as we know it is all changed now

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@stressfreelife82]

it is good to hear the story and great place

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks for watching

[@jaws6869]

Great video, really enjoyed it 👍

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks 👍

[@paddyt4043]

The story of phoulaphaca dam , and hydro plant and water supply deserves an episode, I can help .77 families for ever scarred form the forced removal for cheap money in 1939.... Their sacrifice gave water and power to millions of people In south dublin and north kidare over the last 80 years ....water is Not free , ask any farmer .

[@walkingwithpeter]

That's a great story alright

[@Grudeman408]

Fantastic video!! id like to say ALOT but I won't . Keep up the great work ☘️

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks for watching

[@Neo-mw1pp]

What a legend! 💪☘

[@ms.kayak7seas]

Hi Peter Well said, and Well done. Wow...History of Dublin, History of a human being, Michael Cullen Here you are, bitter story to tell. It sounds like a story, A whole village was removed to build reservoir/ dam He was stolen his happy life for this development. haha, did you voice-over in one sit? You must have had a few pint next to. You really amazes me. I really enjoy history as you knew.

[@michealhand1001]

Great Story peter .weren,t that council very insulting offering him that money & Caravan.?. They should have offered him the market price at time.and given him the other One for free.

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you!

[@CAVALIERKNIGHT33]

Photo at 0:54 is of crossroads of Galtymore Road/Carrow road in Drimnagh. The young girl in the right of the frame is probably my late Aunt Carmel.😊

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thats so interesting 👍thanks for watching

[@collette6103]

Great story, I never realised there was a cottage bang slap in the middle of that. My Dad told me this story. The one he moved into is just gone recently. Today, there is a demonstration to save the Ballyfermot roundabout, which they want to remove now for traffic lights with all the new apartment buildings going up. By the way, Hillbilly’s is the best KFC style and the Cluck opposite SuperValu now is to die for.

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks! Been meaning to try Hillbillys

[@EURAMBLER]

good stuff 👍

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you!

[@Marlondurran]

Great stuff buddy..

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks 👍

[@nathanlawless9125]

Super content

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you!

[@BigScan-j6r]

I remember my mother buying cabbages from him when we would visit the shops around the then much smaller roundabout, good times.

[@johnkk7863]

So did he get to own the new house or did he pay the nominal rent , it’s not clear .

[@walkingwithpeter]

I found a local source that said he got ownership but newspapers didn't report on it so its hard to confirm

[@eoinc_Ire]

My dad taught me to drive in Robinhood Industrial Estate, 30mins for 4 evenings, Monday to Thursday. Friday afternoon he made me drive from his shop in Perrystown to Robinhood Ind Est, through the dreaded walkinstown roundabout! Baptist by fire! Better than any ride in funderland 😂

[@radharcanna]

A fascinating story. So, what happened in the end? Did he end up paying rent to the Council?

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thanks for watching. Well I found a local source that said he got full ownership of the house but it's hard to confirm as there were no more newspaper articles when he moved.

[@radharcanna]

@@walkingwithpeter Thank you. It would be nice to think that he did get ownership and lived happy ever after. It was pretty mean of the Council.

[@eamoc]

Did he get the freehold title on the house he move into

[@paulinenicoll6917]

I was wondering about that, my guess 1971 it wasn't likely. He must have been forced to stand down, and pay the fuckers the rent. He'd have gotten compulsory rates for his cottage at the very least, well I hope he did.

[@walkingwithpeter]

It's hard to confirm as there were no more newspaper articles when he moved but one local source I found said he got ownership

[@peterbutler256]

The video said his demands were met, i.e. he was given ownership of the new home with freehold

[@petercullen6516]

Yes he did

[@endevourdaze]

So how did it end up going from Wilkinstown to Walkinstown?

[@walkingwithpeter]

I believe its a corruption of Wilkinstown so people gradually pronounced it differently

[@susanmoriarty7533]

💚

[@bogtrotterErin]

Gear video

[@annosullivan1347]

🇮🇪👍💕

[@edscannell1019]

Great video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@walkingwithpeter]

Thank you!!