Professor Dennis J Maginni was an Irishman whose real name was Maginn, but he added an extra ‘i’ to make his name more Italian-sounding, and awarded himself a professorship, to fit with his exotic profession as a dance instructor. Maginni lived with his wife and six children at number 32 North Great George’s Street, but gave dance classes in the ground-floor rooms of this house. Maginni was well-known around the city and attracted attention with his stylish clothes. He also turns up as a character in Joyce’s Ulysses, most notably in the ‘Circe’ episode where he leads the girls in a dance. There he is described as wearing: “…a slate frockcoat with claret silk lapels, a gorget of cream tulle, a green lowcut waistcoat, stock collar with white kerchief, tight lavender trousers, patent pumps and canary gloves.”
Press ‘A’ to learn more about Professor Dennis J Maginni… Press ‘B’ to learn more about the plasterwork in the house… Press ‘C’ to listen to Senator David Norris discuss his role in saving the building…