Hi Keith,
The Collins lane I referred to is not your Collins Lane.
My one is St. Lawrence Lane and know locally as Collins Lane - not the official Collins Lane.
I was in Library today and found some info on both Walshs Lane and Hillgrove Lane ( from a book by Gina JOhnson) but nothing on Collins Lane
Walshs Lane
In the 1960's the remaining houses on Walshe's Lane were cleared for construction of the old Blackpool flats, which were in turn demolished in the late 1990's. Walshe's Lane was the northern most four terrace-lined lanes that once led off the east side of Thomas Davis Street. Like the other lanes on the east side Walshe's Lane was residential and by the mid 19th century there were 18 properties on the lane, 11 of which were owned by a Timothy O'Flynn.
There are lots of theories as to who the lane is called after - a Lord Mayor Walsh, A chaplain in North Cathedral , a Thomas Walsh a leather seller in Shandon Street of aWilliam Walsh a clothier from Blarney Street.
Hillgrove Lane( also known as Bulldog Lane)
In 1801 the lane extended to lead from Britain Street ( now Gerald Griffin Street) to Duke Street ( Watercourse Road). The lane seem to have been named after two brothers Thomas & Joseph Hillgrove who owned a property on the land. By 1852 there were at least 13 properties, mostly houses, along Hillgrove Lane, 11 of which were owned by Mary Byrne. The residential population on the lane remained into the mid 20th century, when the lane was known as Bulldog Lane. Recently constructed houses now overlie most of the lane, but the entrance and a short stretch of the lane off Gerald Griffin Street survive.
Sorry I can't help with Collins Lane.
Regards
Mary
