Number 71
Knock, knock open wide see whats on the other side of Number 71, Merrion Square. I have been lucky enough to work on Merrion Square for the last 2 years. And what a delight to be around such magnificent buildings every day and enjoy the beauty of Merrion Square park. I’ve always had an interest in the remarkable residents of the square counting the plaques on the walls from A.E. Russell, W.B. Yeats, Daniel O’Connell, Oscar Wilde and Sheridan Le Fanu as I pass by. I’ve even peeked behind some of the most mysterious doors during Culture Night – a favourite being the Royal Society of Antiquities at Number 63 . But the door I have most wanted to see behind is Number 71 because it was the former home of the extraordinary Irish fashion designer Sybil Connolly. A view behind the door came in the form of a talk by the wonderful Robert O’Bryne aka theirishaesthete at The Little Museum of Dublin last night. This amazing talk followed her career and discussed how she invented Irish fashion.
Highlights of the evening for me were the descriptions of her house ‘that linen built’ number 71 Merrion Square where she lived and worked and also the piece of fine pleated linen that she is so famous that Robert O’Bryne very generously donated to the museum, a beautiful addition to the collection.
Number 71 is now in private ownership, but how marvellous would it be to see inside and get a glimpse of that world that linen built. What we are left with is her legacy, her beautiful pleated linen dresses and that divine moment, which we should still savour were Dublin and Irish fashion was on the international stage.
I’ll leave you with a quote from Sybil herself “the trouble with the world” she lamented in 1962” is that people have forgotten about romance.” Too true!
Sybil Connolly dresses made at Number 71 Merrion Square and featured in Harper’s Bazaar
And check out some amazing footage of Sybil’s beautiful style on youtube
The Little Museum of Dublin, 15 St Stephens Green, Dublin
Monday – Sunday 9.30am – 5pm (last tour at 4pm)
Thursday 9.30am – 8pm (Curator’s tour at 7pm)