Dorset Street
Encyclopedia
For the former London
street of the same name, see Dorset Street (London)
Dorset Street (Sráid Dorset in Irish
) is an important thoroughfare on the northside of Dublin, Ireland
, and was originally part of the Slighe Midh-Luchra, Dublin's ancient road to the north that begins where the original bridging point at Church Street
is today. Subsequently, yet prior to the street being given its current name in the 18th century, the road was known as Drumcondra Lane and was shown on maps as such.
to the city centre, and the N1 National Primary Route follows Dorset Street for part of its route. It meets the N2 route at the junctions with Blessington Street, location of the City Basin park, and St. Mary's Place; other major roads feeding onto this spine street include North Circular Road
, Gardiner Street
, Eccles Street, North Frederick Street, and Granby Row.
Physically the street rises up from the Liffey valley at its south eastern end, to its apex at roughly where it meets with Blessington and North Frederick Streets; proceeding north west the street slopes down again on the approach to Binn's Bridge at the Royal Canal.
Some early Georgian
houses are dotted along the street, primarily identifiable by the stone Gibbsian door case entrances, and close to the crossroads with Blessington and North Frederick Streets. Much of the street redeveloped during the Victorian era
, with a number of significant buildings built such as the Gothic style stone-built Dominican priory designed by J. L. Robinson in 1884–87 at the corner of Dominick Street, while across from it is the red brick Italianette former fire station, designed by C. J. McCarthy and completed in 1903. Much of the street consists of vernacular Victorian terraces, with shops opening straight onto footpaths at ground-floor level. During the latter part of the twentieth century stretches of the street were again redeveloped by Dublin Corporation
for social housing flat complexes near Dominick Street.
and Irish dramatist and educator Thomas Sheridan were born on this street.
Seán O'Casey was born at number 85, since demolished and replaced by a branch of the Bank of Ireland
(now disused), his family having previously occupied numbers 6 and 23½ before moving there. At the time, the street was considered to be a reasonably fashionable location in Dublin.
Playwright, Westminster Parliament member, and son of Thomas, Richard Brinsley Sheridan
was born on this street at number 12 in 1751; Brinsley Sheridan's works include The Critics and A School for Scandal.
No 16 - site of - was residence of United Irishman Napper Tandy in 1779
No 68 - site of - home to Peadar Kearney
(1883–1942); Songwriter and author of the national anthem, "The Soldier's Song", also known in Irish as Amhrán na bhFiann. Kearney was born at this address, and by trade became a house painter and theatre set decorator, as too did become his more famous nephew, the playwright Brendan Behan
, who also lived nearby at Russell Street.
, 1st Duke of Dorset
, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
. While the English county of Dorset
is pronounced with the first syllable stressed, "Dorset Street" is pronounced locally as dɔrˈsɛt Street, with emphasis on the second syllable of "Dorset".
, designed primarily to facilitate cars, continues to prove destructive – with the street now quite notorious as a hostile environment for pedestrians. Nonetheless the street continues to host a number of pubs, including the very authentic Joxer Daly's as referenced by Sean O'Casey
in Juno and the Paycock, fast food outlets, an assortment of small retail units, and apartments and small offices.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
street of the same name, see Dorset Street (London)
Dorset Street (Sráid Dorset in Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
) is an important thoroughfare on the northside of Dublin, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, and was originally part of the Slighe Midh-Luchra, Dublin's ancient road to the north that begins where the original bridging point at Church Street
Church Street
-Streets:* Church Street, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom* Church Street , New York City, New York, United States* Church Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia* Church Street , England, United Kingdom...
is today. Subsequently, yet prior to the street being given its current name in the 18th century, the road was known as Drumcondra Lane and was shown on maps as such.
Location and layout
The street runs north east from Bolton Street at Dominick Street junction, north of Parnell Square and Mountjoy Square, and leads into Drumcondra Road at Binn's Bridge on the Royal Canal. It makes up part of the most common route from Dublin AirportDublin Airport
Dublin Airport, , is operated by the Dublin Airport Authority. Located in Collinstown, in the Fingal part of County Dublin, 18.4 million passengers passed through the airport in 2010, making it the busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland, followed by Cork and Shannon...
to the city centre, and the N1 National Primary Route follows Dorset Street for part of its route. It meets the N2 route at the junctions with Blessington Street, location of the City Basin park, and St. Mary's Place; other major roads feeding onto this spine street include North Circular Road
North Circular Road, Dublin
The North Circular Road - designated as R101 regional road - is an important thoroughfare on the northside of Dublin, in Ireland. The regional road was long considered the northern boundary of the city and still separates the city centre from the inner suburbs. It is also known for its Pevsner...
, Gardiner Street
Gardiner Street
Gardiner Street is in Dublin, Ireland and stretches from the River Liffey at its southern end via Mountjoy Square to Dorset Street at its northern end...
, Eccles Street, North Frederick Street, and Granby Row.
Physically the street rises up from the Liffey valley at its south eastern end, to its apex at roughly where it meets with Blessington and North Frederick Streets; proceeding north west the street slopes down again on the approach to Binn's Bridge at the Royal Canal.
Some early Georgian
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
houses are dotted along the street, primarily identifiable by the stone Gibbsian door case entrances, and close to the crossroads with Blessington and North Frederick Streets. Much of the street redeveloped during the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
, with a number of significant buildings built such as the Gothic style stone-built Dominican priory designed by J. L. Robinson in 1884–87 at the corner of Dominick Street, while across from it is the red brick Italianette former fire station, designed by C. J. McCarthy and completed in 1903. Much of the street consists of vernacular Victorian terraces, with shops opening straight onto footpaths at ground-floor level. During the latter part of the twentieth century stretches of the street were again redeveloped by Dublin Corporation
Dublin Corporation
Dublin Corporation , known by generations of Dubliners simply as The Corpo, is the former name given to the city government and its administrative organisation in Dublin between 1661 and 1 January 2002...
for social housing flat complexes near Dominick Street.
Historic residents
Irish author Seán O'CaseySeán O'Casey
Seán O'Casey was an Irish dramatist and memoirist. A committed socialist, he was the first Irish playwright of note to write about the Dublin working classes.- Early life:...
and Irish dramatist and educator Thomas Sheridan were born on this street.
Seán O'Casey was born at number 85, since demolished and replaced by a branch of the Bank of Ireland
Bank of Ireland
The Bank of Ireland is a commercial bank operation in Ireland, which is one of the 'Big Four' in both parts of the island.Historically the premier banking organisation in Ireland, the Bank occupies a unique position in Irish banking history...
(now disused), his family having previously occupied numbers 6 and 23½ before moving there. At the time, the street was considered to be a reasonably fashionable location in Dublin.
Playwright, Westminster Parliament member, and son of Thomas, Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Butler Sheridan was an Irish-born playwright and poet and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. For thirty-two years he was also a Whig Member of the British House of Commons for Stafford , Westminster and Ilchester...
was born on this street at number 12 in 1751; Brinsley Sheridan's works include The Critics and A School for Scandal.
No 16 - site of - was residence of United Irishman Napper Tandy in 1779
No 68 - site of - home to Peadar Kearney
Peadar Kearney
Peadar Kearney was an Irish republican and composer of numerous rebel songs. In 1907 he wrote the lyrics to "The Soldier's Song" , now the Irish national anthem.-Background:...
(1883–1942); Songwriter and author of the national anthem, "The Soldier's Song", also known in Irish as Amhrán na bhFiann. Kearney was born at this address, and by trade became a house painter and theatre set decorator, as too did become his more famous nephew, the playwright Brendan Behan
Brendan Behan
Brendan Francis Behan was an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright who wrote in both Irish and English. He was also an Irish republican and a volunteer in the Irish Republican Army.-Early life:...
, who also lived nearby at Russell Street.
Naming and pronunciation
Dorset Street was named after Lionel Cranfield SackvilleLionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset
Lionel Cranfield Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset, PC was an English political leader and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He was the son of the 6th Earl of Dorset and 1st Earl of Middlesex and the former Lady Mary Compton, younger daughter of the 3rd Earl of Northampton...
, 1st Duke of Dorset
Earl of Dorset
Earl of Dorset is a title that has been created at least four times in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1411 for Thomas Beaufort, who was later created Duke of Exeter. The peerages became extinct on his death....
, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was the British King's representative and head of the Irish executive during the Lordship of Ireland , the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
. While the English county of Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
is pronounced with the first syllable stressed, "Dorset Street" is pronounced locally as dɔrˈsɛt Street, with emphasis on the second syllable of "Dorset".
Today
In recent years the street has been improved at its northern end with new trees and lighting; however the street has been let deteriorate at its southern city end with stretches of dereliction and vacancy having increased. An over-scaled new "Maldron" hotel built in conjunction with Senator Donnie Cassidy now sits on the site of the former National Wax Museum, and is one of the very few new buildings. Road engineering by Dublin City CouncilDublin City Council
Dublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin in Ireland. It has 52 members and is the largest local authority in Ireland. Until 2001, it was known as Dublin Corporation.-Legal status:...
, designed primarily to facilitate cars, continues to prove destructive – with the street now quite notorious as a hostile environment for pedestrians. Nonetheless the street continues to host a number of pubs, including the very authentic Joxer Daly's as referenced by Sean O'Casey
Seán O'Casey
Seán O'Casey was an Irish dramatist and memoirist. A committed socialist, he was the first Irish playwright of note to write about the Dublin working classes.- Early life:...
in Juno and the Paycock, fast food outlets, an assortment of small retail units, and apartments and small offices.