Victorian Dublin

As part of Dublin Book Festival I was delighted to join Dr Frank Cullen on his walking tour of Victorian Dublin to promote his forthcoming book Dublin 1847: City of the Ordnance Survey (RIA). For a city which is known for it’s Georgian architecture it is great to see Dublin from another angle- the Victorian angle. Dr Frank brought us on a tour which started in Smock Alley Theatre and around by the Iveagh Gardens apartments built in the Victorian era by the Guinness family, we also took in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Christchurch, St Catherine’s Church and graveyard on Thomas Street, Smithfield Market and the Wholesale Fruit & Vegetable Market.

Here’s 5 things I didn’t know about Victorian Dublin:

1. In 1847 the ordnance survey of Ireland created a detailed map of Dublin which depicted the streets, lanes, buildings, gardens, yards and parks and even trees of the city with precision- and this is the topic of Frank’s book.

2. Even though we think of the Victorian era as being a time of great poverty it was an era which started to build infrastructure in the city which was built for public use. It is the era when the most parks, seaside towns and suburbs were built.

3. The  Wholesale Fruit & Vegetable market was inspired by the Crystal Palace in London and works exquisite craftsmanship- if you look closely you will see stonework which depicts vegetables and fish. There are also plans for this to open again as a food market! Here’s hoping this happens.

4. Peter Street opposite St Patricks park was once the site of  Molyneaux house and a much-loved theatre and circus.

5. Sir Edward Guinness who built the most important Victorian buildings in Dublin from the Iveagh Trust Flats, the Iveagh Baths on Bride Road, to the Iveagh Market on Francis Street- a place incidently where you could buy vegetables, fish and secondhand clothes. I would love this to open again. He also designed St Patrick’s Park beside the cathedral for his workers to enjoy on days off.

Here’s Dr Frank Cullen’s new book which you can pre-order from the Royal Irish Academy.

For all those into Victoriana this cool book on Victorian Dublin Revealed will inspire.

With thanks to Dublin Book Festival for accommodating me on this tour.