hello futokili,
I am a garda (policeman) who works in the clonliffe / ballybough area. I am presently compiling an area profile as part of a course I am doing and I found the book "mud Island", which is an historical account of ballybough and environs. this is an axcellent book and would probably answer all your queries. From my own knowledge, the old distillery complex is situated at the end of distillery road, off clonliffe road. There is also access to it from richmond road. the river tolka runs beside it. The distilley building has been very tastefully converted to apartments and retains most of the original architecture. This is good news because had it not been developed, it would surely have collapsed into ruin. hope this helps. Also, I was a soldier in the irish army once, and whilst I was serving, the army archives in cathal brugha barracks, rathmines, went public, so they may well be able to help you.
regards,
Karl O' Neill
