Dublin’s Flower Sellers
Flower sellers on the streets of Dublin have been part of the theatre of the city since Viking times. Fast forward to nineteenth century Dublin when Grafton Street and Henry Street became the shopping destinations of the city. This is when small stallholders began to trade from the footfall of these streets. One of the wares that have stood the test of time are flowers and the flower sellers, a cheery bunch (pardon the pun) who have become part of the city’s landscape with their overflowing stands and famous catcalls. The main shopping thoroughfares still have flower sellers on the artillery streets. Off Grafton there are flower sellers on Chatham, Harry and Duke Street and off Henry Street there are flower sellers on Moore, Talbot and O’Connell Street.
Friend and researcher Orla Fitzpatrick (of the blog Jacolette) brought to my attention a photo taken by surrealist photographer Lee Miller in the 1940s of a flower seller on Grafton Street (pictured above). I love how it has captured the time, the flower seller and her black shawl (which was still a key item for stall-holders in Dublin at the time) and the snapshot of the Grafton Street store window in the background. You can see Lee Miller’s surrealist eye has caught a unique moment. But what this picture really brought to mind for me is that flower sellers are still watching the world go by in that very same spot today, all that has changed is the fashion, the blackshawls have been replaced with black puffa jackets. I took a photo of today’s flower seller of Harry Street, Suzanne to illustrate a then and now!
Grafton Street/Harry Street
On the corner of Harry Street you’ll find two flower sellers who sit side by side and fill Harry Street with a wall of flowers. (Suzanne) pictured above has fresh cut flowers that range from dutch tulips, lilies, roses (in all colours), sunflowers, dahlias, pussy willow and baby’s breath. Prices range from 5 euro to 15 euro for a bunch.
Georges Street/Fade Street
Nestled on the corner of Fade and George’s Street you’ll find more flower sellers. Specialty blooms are lilies and roses. Prices 5-15 euro.
Moore Street
It’s no surprise that Dublin’s most famous market street has flower sellers, amongst the prams and fruit you’ll find a bargain if you are willing to haggle. There’s a superstition on Moore Street too that the flower seller must give a reduced price to first punter of the day, give it a go. Prices from 3 euro to 15 euro.
See more images of Flower Sellers on Grafton Street at The National Library of Ireland.
Lee Miller photograph Lee Miller Archive
Flower Markets in Dublin
Emily from the blog From China Village wrote a piece on the flower wholesaler Joseph M Duffy & Son in the Smithfield Flower Market.
Lisa of the blog Built Dublin wrote up about another historic fruit an flower market The Wholesale Fruit & Vegetable Market in Dublin 7.There are plans to reopen this market as a Cork English Market style venue in the near future. I can’t wait. See more on The Irish Times here.
The People’s Park in Dun Laoghaire has a flower stall at the Sunday market selling fresh cut blooms, including the most beautiful sprays of lilies.
Images by Ruth Griffin on Canon EOS 600D