A Wander: The Northside's Georgian Quarter
Dublin is famous for it's Georgian architecture. We’re all familiar with the grand squares, streets and houses on the south side of the city, but did you know that the Georgian neighbourhoods on the north side of the city are in fact considered to be the finest and oldest examples of this great architecture?
Now is the perfect time to get out and explore these well worn red-brick streets while traffic is at a minimum.
Click here to see the walk in Google Maps
Whistle stop tour: 60mins || Full walk: 3 hours
But first, coffee
Begin at The Chocolate Factory on Kings Inn Street. A former, em, chocolate factory, now full of artists studios and workshops, it’s over 100 years too late to be Georgian but it is a good place to start, simply because you can grab a coffee here from the lovely Blas Cafe.
Historic houses
Head up the road to begin your Georgian journey proper on Henrietta Street. The most intact collection of early to mid-18th century houses in Dublin. If you can, drop into the tenement museum at 14 Henrietta Street. Opened in 2018, the impeccably restored building charts it’s history from when it was built in the 1740’s for The Right Honorable Richard, Lord Viscount Molesworth through the 1900’s when up to 100 people were living in what was by then a tenement house.
Pic by @atlasobscura
The Hungry Tree
If open, walk through the gate at the top of Henrietta Street, which leads through The impressive Kings Inns legal college. Built in the early 1800’s, and still in use today, it was designed by James Gandon (of The Custom House fame). Walk through the arch way and out to the street on the other side where you will see the bench-eating tree, loved by all.
Pic by @sarahjaybee
A hidden gem
From here, stroll north through broadstone to Blessington Street Basin (5 min walk). Built in 1810 as a drinking water reservoir for Dublin City, it was operational until 1970. Abandoned then subsequently reopened as a park in 1994, it is a hidden gem treasured by local residents. Walk out the main gates on the other side and down Blessington Street to Clement & Pekoe stores for a coffee pit-stop.
A work of art
Meander your way from here to Parnell Square (3 mins). If you have it in you, you could stop into the Hugh Lane Gallery. The recreated Francis Bacon studio is the major attraction at The Hugh Lane but you could just take in the Julian Opie animated led sculpture of a walking figure outside the front door and be on your way.
Mountjoy Mexican
Finally, wander east up Denmark St, taking in the variety of Georgian buildings, their unique doors, windows and fanlights, finishing on Mountjoy Square, said to be the only true Georgian Square in Dublin where you should also orchestrate a feed or pick up of take away from the brilliant El Grito Mexican Taqueria which is housed in one of the Georgian houses' basements (Book ahead). To be honest, you’ll need a drink after that. We recommend you head down to Parnell Street (5 mins) and stop by The Big Romance bar.
Other things to check out:
- It’s a Trap Cafe, Denmark Street - Cafe and retail shop.
- Bowls By Kwangi, Parnell Street - Rice & noodle bowls, Dumplings, pastries, Bao buns
- Irish Georgian Society - All the info you could possibly want for a deep dive on Georgian Dublin
