Kathleen Delamare vividly remembered her life in Dublin's notorious tenement slums and the transformative day she moved into a brand-new apartment on Townsend Street on the city's south side. The longtime resident of what would later be renamed Markievicz House shared her feelings with author Eoin Ó Brion before her death two years ago at age 96, declaring: "If I won the lottery tomorrow I would not want to leave." Her testimony stands as powerful evidence of the remarkable work accomplished by Herbert Simms, the English architect commissioned by Dublin Corporation to oversee one of Ireland's most ambitious housing projects.

Simms spearheaded the construction of 17,000 homes designed to relocate families from deplorable tenement conditions into a comprehensive network of inner-city apartments and suburban cottages in areas like Crumlin. "He left an enormous legacy," said Eoin Ó Brion, author of the newly published book "Flats and Cottages: Herbert Simms and the Housing of Dublin's Working Class, 1932-1948." The book represents a collaborative effort with photographer Mal McCann, who serves as The Irish News picture editor, combining historical research with contemporary photography to document Simms' lasting impact on Dublin's urban landscape.

The quality of Simms' work remains evident today, with many of his original buildings still standing and serving residents decades later. "Many are still standing, which reveals the quality of the construction that Simms demanded," explained Ó Brion, who serves as Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West and the party's housing spokesperson. The durability of these structures testifies to Simms' uncompromising standards and his commitment to providing dignified housing for Dublin's working-class families during a period of significant social and economic challenges.

The timing of this massive housing initiative makes Simms' achievements even more remarkable, occurring during Ireland's early years as an independent nation. "At a time of enormous economic difficulties, including due to a long running trade war with Britain and then the Second World War, how did the Free State, only a decade old, manage to clear so many slums and build flats and cottages for working class Dubs?" Ó Brion asks in his book. The answer lay in strong political commitment from successive governments who recognized the urgent need to support local authorities in demolishing dangerous tenements and replacing them with safe, modern housing.

Simms didn't work alone in this monumental undertaking, receiving crucial support from his dedicated team, civic society members, and trade unions throughout the project. This collaborative approach helped ensure the success of the housing program despite the numerous economic and logistical challenges facing the young Irish Free State. The book explores these partnerships and examines how similar cooperation might address Ireland's contemporary housing crisis affecting both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Tragically, Simms' story ended in sorrow when he took his own life in 1948 at just 50 years old. The architect may have struggled with long-term mental health issues, possibly including post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from his experiences during World War I. However, Ó Brion suggests that Simms was also "worked to death, under relentless pressure and demands and the battles over standards and quality," highlighting the personal cost of his unwavering commitment to excellence in public housing.

The book will be officially launched at Dublin City Hall on Tuesday evening, with a Belfast launch scheduled for the following Monday at James Connolly House on Falls Road. Photographer Mal McCann reflected on the project's deeper meaning, noting that "architecture is never just about bricks and mortar, it's about the people who make those spaces their own." McCann added that he "tried to capture the community spirit and daily life" while working on the book, calling his collaboration with Ó Brion "a privilege" due to the author's extensive knowledge of both Simms and Dublin's communities, which provided essential "depth and context" to the entire project.