Book excerpt: The Little Book of Ranelagh is a compendium of fascinating, obscure, strange and entertaining facts about this Dublin suburb. Here you will find out about Ranelagh's rural past, its sporting heritage, its arts and culture, its schools and churches, shops and industries, and its famous (and occasionally infamous) men and women. Through main thoroughfares and twisting back streets, this book takes the reader on a journey through Ranelagh and its vibrant past. A reliable reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped into time and time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage and the secrets of this south Dublin suburb.