Phibsboro
Encyclopedia
Phibsborough often formerly shortened to Phibsboro' and later Phibsboro , is a district of Dublin in Ireland
.
of the city. The area is very close to the city centre, about two kilometres from the River Liffey
which bisects the city. Phibsborough is bordered by Glasnevin
, Drumcondra
, Cabra
and Grangegorman
. The centre of Phibsborough is a crossroad intersection known as Doyle's Corner
(formerly Dunphy's Corner).
to the east, and Glasnevin
to the north. A city bound spur of the canal went south beyond the City Basin (Blessington Street Basin) to Broadstone. That canal spur is now partially covered by a tree-lined linear park. The adjacent road, with interesting multi-period housing along the west side, is appropriately called The Royal Canal Bank. The threequarter mile branch ran south from below the fifth lock on the Royal Canal's main line. Passing Mountjoy Gaol, and under the North Circular Road by Blacquiere Bridge, it ran along the high banked eastern side of the Phibsborough Road. The Foster Aqueduct carried the canal over the Phibsborough Road to the terminus, a large harbour at Broadstone directly opposite the Kings Inns at Constitution Hill.
Phibsborough is served by a host of Dublin Bus
routes passing through outbound to their north city suburbs, (numbers 4, 19, 38, 38a, 38b, 39n, 39x, 40n, 46a, 83, 120, 122 and 140) and inbound servicing the city centre, primarily the O'Connell and Henry Street intersection, sight of the Spire of Dublin
, which supplanted Dublin's lamented Nelson's Pillar
, and known as Gaeilige as AN LAR. The Dublin suburban railway system stops at the nearby Drumcondra Station. The Broadstone Station and rail sheds were closed in 1937. These buildings constituted the Dublin Terminus, HQ, and railworks of the Midland Great Western Railway
, one of the six Dublin Terminii. It is now the administrative centre and district bus garage by Bus Éireann
and Dublin Bus
.
The impressive main entry building, fronted by a classical Egyptian style facade is currently neglected if not quite derelect, as it awaits the developement plans for regeneration of the area, and the Dublin transit plan in concert with the construction of the Dublin Institute of Technology
Campus at nearby Grangegorman. It is expected that the area will experience a major regeneration and Broadstone rail and Broadstone Station a mega revival as a modern city transit terminal for the area. This envisages a possible reopening of the still intact permanent way route north to Navan, providing a badly needed rail service to the north Dublin-south Meath corridor.
Dalymount Park
, the home of League of Ireland
team Bohemian F.C.
, and one-time venue for international football matches, is located here.
Croke Park
, HQ of the G.A.A Ireland's major athletic association's international stadium one of the largest stadia
in Europe
, is approximately two kilometres east. The National Botanic Gardens are situated in nearby Glasnevin.
Phibsborough also contains one Dublin's major Dublin teaching hospitals. The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
is in close proximity to the Temple Street Children's Hospital. In early June 2006 the Government announced plans to develop a new National Children's Hospital on a site adjoining the Mater Hospital. Five years later the project awaits commencement.
Lodgings in Phibsborough were used for meetings by the Fenians in the mid-19th century.
St. Peter's Church
dates from 1862, but its construction proved to be a controversial affair and resulted in a long and costly law-suit which began as a dispute between the architect and builder and ended with the involvement of the Archbishop of Dublin
.
All Saints Parish Church, Phibsborough Road, was completed in 1904.
The renowned Tractarian, Dr Maturin, was rector for many years, establishing a 'High Church' tradition of worship that endures. The beautiful interior has been restored in recent years, having suffered fire damage in 1968.
At the time of the Easter Rising
, the de Valera
family home was at 34, Munster Street.
Phibsborough has a number of commemorative memorials including one to Sean Healy, a 15 year old member of the Fianna
. Sean was one of two Phibsboro Road residents killed during the Rising, the other being James Kelly (18).
Other participants in the War of Independence
from the area include Harry Boland
who was born in Phibsborough and grew up there. His friend Dick McKee
was born at Phibsborough Road. On the 21 November he was brought to Dublin Castle
where he was tortured under interrogation and soon after shot dead. One of The Forgotten Ten
, Bernard Ryan
, lived in Phibsborough until his execution in nearby Mountjoy Jail, where he was hanged following a military trial.
The sculpture by Leo Broe at Royal Canal Bank was commissioned in memory of the local contingent of Irish Volunteers
, established following a public rally at nearby Parnell Square in 1913.
For two years during his childhood, James Joyce
and his family lived at No. 7, St. Peter's Road.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Location
Phibsboro' is located in the Dublin 7 postal district on the NorthsideNorthside (Dublin)
The Northside is the area in County Dublin, Ireland bounded to the south by the River Liffey to the east by Dublin Bay, to the north and west by the boundaries of County Dublin.- Introduction :...
of the city. The area is very close to the city centre, about two kilometres from the River Liffey
River Liffey
The Liffey is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac. The river supplies much of Dublin's water, and a range of recreational opportunities.-Name:The river was previously named An Ruirthech,...
which bisects the city. Phibsborough is bordered by Glasnevin
Glasnevin
Glasnevin is a largely residential neighbourhood of Dublin, Ireland.-Geography:A mainly residential neighbourhood, it is located on the Northside of the city of Dublin . It was originally established on the northern bank of the River Tolka...
, Drumcondra
Drumcondra, Dublin
Drumcondra is a residential area and inner suburb on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. It is administered by Dublin City Council.The River Tolka and the Royal Canal flow through the area.-History:...
, Cabra
Cabra, Dublin
Cabra is a suburb on the northside of Dublin city in Ireland. It is approximately northwest of the city centre, in the administrative area of Dublin City Council. It was commonly known as Cabragh until the early 20th century.- Transport and access:...
and Grangegorman
Grangegorman
Grangegorman Development Agency is an agency of the Government of Ireland charged with redevelopment of the Grangegorman Campus, formerly within the curtilage of St. Brendan's Hospital...
. The centre of Phibsborough is a crossroad intersection known as Doyle's Corner
Dublin street corners
Several well-known junctions in Dublin city still carry the name of the pub or business which used to occupy the corner.While this practice is by no means unique to Dublin, the pace of recent development there has meant that the original source of the name is more likely to have...
(formerly Dunphy's Corner).
Amenities and transport
The Royal Canal separates Phibsborough from DrumcondraDrumcondra
Drumcondra is the name of several places:* Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland, a residential area on the Northside of Dublin.** Drumcondra railway station** Drumcondra F.C., former football club...
to the east, and Glasnevin
Glasnevin
Glasnevin is a largely residential neighbourhood of Dublin, Ireland.-Geography:A mainly residential neighbourhood, it is located on the Northside of the city of Dublin . It was originally established on the northern bank of the River Tolka...
to the north. A city bound spur of the canal went south beyond the City Basin (Blessington Street Basin) to Broadstone. That canal spur is now partially covered by a tree-lined linear park. The adjacent road, with interesting multi-period housing along the west side, is appropriately called The Royal Canal Bank. The threequarter mile branch ran south from below the fifth lock on the Royal Canal's main line. Passing Mountjoy Gaol, and under the North Circular Road by Blacquiere Bridge, it ran along the high banked eastern side of the Phibsborough Road. The Foster Aqueduct carried the canal over the Phibsborough Road to the terminus, a large harbour at Broadstone directly opposite the Kings Inns at Constitution Hill.
Phibsborough is served by a host of Dublin Bus
Dublin Bus
Dublin Bus is a public transport operator in Ireland. It operates an extensive bus network of 172 radial, cross-city and peripheral routes and 18 night routes in the city of Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area. The company, established in 1987, is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann which is...
routes passing through outbound to their north city suburbs, (numbers 4, 19, 38, 38a, 38b, 39n, 39x, 40n, 46a, 83, 120, 122 and 140) and inbound servicing the city centre, primarily the O'Connell and Henry Street intersection, sight of the Spire of Dublin
Spire of Dublin
The Spire of Dublin, officially titled the Monument of Light is a large, stainless steel, pin-like monument in height, located on the site of the former Nelson's Pillar on O'Connell Street in Dublin, Ireland.-Details:...
, which supplanted Dublin's lamented Nelson's Pillar
Nelson's Pillar
The Nelson Pillar , known locally as Nelson's Pillar or simply The Pillar, was a large granite pillar topped by a statue of Horatio Nelson in the middle of O'Connell Street, Dublin...
, and known as Gaeilige as AN LAR. The Dublin suburban railway system stops at the nearby Drumcondra Station. The Broadstone Station and rail sheds were closed in 1937. These buildings constituted the Dublin Terminus, HQ, and railworks of the Midland Great Western Railway
Midland Great Western Railway
The Midland Great Western Railway was the third largest Irish gauge railway company in Ireland. It was incorporated in 1845 and absorbed into the Great Southern Railway in 1924. It served part of Leinster, County Cavan in Ulster and much of Connaught...
, one of the six Dublin Terminii. It is now the administrative centre and district bus garage by Bus Éireann
Bus Éireann
Bus Éireann provides bus services in Ireland with the exception of those operated entirely within the Dublin Region, which are provided by Dublin Bus. Bus Éireann, established as a separate company in 1987, is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann. The logo of Bus Éireann incorporates a red Irish...
and Dublin Bus
Dublin Bus
Dublin Bus is a public transport operator in Ireland. It operates an extensive bus network of 172 radial, cross-city and peripheral routes and 18 night routes in the city of Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area. The company, established in 1987, is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann which is...
.
The impressive main entry building, fronted by a classical Egyptian style facade is currently neglected if not quite derelect, as it awaits the developement plans for regeneration of the area, and the Dublin transit plan in concert with the construction of the Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology was established officially in 1992 under the but had been previously set up in 1978 on an ad-hoc basis. The institution can trace its origins back to 1887 with the establishment of various technical institutions in Dublin, Ireland...
Campus at nearby Grangegorman. It is expected that the area will experience a major regeneration and Broadstone rail and Broadstone Station a mega revival as a modern city transit terminal for the area. This envisages a possible reopening of the still intact permanent way route north to Navan, providing a badly needed rail service to the north Dublin-south Meath corridor.
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
, the home of League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
team Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
, and one-time venue for international football matches, is located here.
Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
, HQ of the G.A.A Ireland's major athletic association's international stadium one of the largest stadia
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, is approximately two kilometres east. The National Botanic Gardens are situated in nearby Glasnevin.
Phibsborough also contains one Dublin's major Dublin teaching hospitals. The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin
The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is a major teaching hospital, based at Eccles Street, Phibsboro, on the northside of Dublin, Ireland...
is in close proximity to the Temple Street Children's Hospital. In early June 2006 the Government announced plans to develop a new National Children's Hospital on a site adjoining the Mater Hospital. Five years later the project awaits commencement.
History
St. Peter's Church
St. Peter's Church Phibsborough, Dublin
Saint Peter's Church in Dublin is a large Roman Catholic parish church in the Dublin suburb of Phibsborough or Phibsboro . It is considered to be a monument of triumph over proselytisers and is viewed upon by parishioners with pride.-History:...
dates from 1862, but its construction proved to be a controversial affair and resulted in a long and costly law-suit which began as a dispute between the architect and builder and ended with the involvement of the Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic)
The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the Archdiocese of Dublin. The Church of Ireland has a similar role, heading the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. In both cases, the Archbishop is also Primate of Ireland...
.
All Saints Parish Church, Phibsborough Road, was completed in 1904.
The renowned Tractarian, Dr Maturin, was rector for many years, establishing a 'High Church' tradition of worship that endures. The beautiful interior has been restored in recent years, having suffered fire damage in 1968.
At the time of the Easter Rising
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
, the de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
family home was at 34, Munster Street.
Phibsborough has a number of commemorative memorials including one to Sean Healy, a 15 year old member of the Fianna
Fianna Éireann
The name Fianna Éireann , also written Fianna na hÉireann and Na Fianna Éireann , has been used by various Irish republican youth movements throughout the 20th and 21st centuries...
. Sean was one of two Phibsboro Road residents killed during the Rising, the other being James Kelly (18).
Other participants in the War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
from the area include Harry Boland
Harry Boland
Harry Boland was an Irish Republican politician and member of the First Dáil.-Early life:Boland was born in Phibsboro, Dublin on 27 April 1887. He was active in GAA circles in early life, and ultimately joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood...
who was born in Phibsborough and grew up there. His friend Dick McKee
Dick McKee
Richard “Dick” McKee was a prominent member of the Irish Republican Army . He was also friend to some senior members in the republican movement, including Éamon de Valera, Austin Stack and Michael Collins...
was born at Phibsborough Road. On the 21 November he was brought to Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland...
where he was tortured under interrogation and soon after shot dead. One of The Forgotten Ten
The Forgotten Ten
The Forgotten Ten is the term applied to ten members of the Irish Republican Army who were executed in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin by British forces following courts martial from 1920-1921 during the Irish War of Independence. Based upon military law at the time, they were buried within the prison...
, Bernard Ryan
Bernard Ryan
Bernard Ryan was one of six men hanged in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin on the 14 March 1921. He was a member of the Irish Republican Army and part of the Dublin Brigade's Active Service Unit...
, lived in Phibsborough until his execution in nearby Mountjoy Jail, where he was hanged following a military trial.
The sculpture by Leo Broe at Royal Canal Bank was commissioned in memory of the local contingent of Irish Volunteers
Irish Volunteers
The Irish Volunteers was a military organisation established in 1913 by Irish nationalists. It was ostensibly formed in response to the formation of the Ulster Volunteers in 1912, and its declared primary aim was "to secure and maintain the rights and liberties common to the whole people of Ireland"...
, established following a public rally at nearby Parnell Square in 1913.
For two years during his childhood, James Joyce
James Joyce
James Augustine Aloysius Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century...
and his family lived at No. 7, St. Peter's Road.
-
UlyssesUlysses (novel)Ulysses is a novel by the Irish author James Joyce. It was first serialised in parts in the American journal The Little Review from March 1918 to December 1920, and then published in its entirety by Sylvia Beach on 2 February 1922, in Paris. One of the most important works of Modernist literature,...
, James Joyce
Development
The Phibsboro area along with Glasnevin relates to the north city Central Business District (CBD) very much in the way that Rathmines and Ranelagh relates to the south city CBD. The convenient location combined with easy access and good public transport facilities led to the conversion of larger homes into bedsitter flats during the the sixties. The advent of gradual economic advancement, and the Celtic tiger boom saw demand evolve into need to develop new apartment and townhouse projects. This also provided an opportunity for the conversion of listed historic eighteenth and nineteenth century industrial and architectural curiousities into swish modern apartments. In recent years, this area has experienced a bustling retro renaissance. Families began restoring VictorianVictorian houseIn the United Kingdom, and former British colonies, a Victorian house generally means any house built during the reign of Queen Victoria...
and EdwardianEdwardian architectureEdwardian architecture is the style popular when King Edward VII of the United Kingdom was in power; he reigned from 1901 to 1910, but the architecture style is generally considered to be indicative of the years 1901 to 1914....
houses to their original appearence and purpose. Many are now converted back into single family homes, many of which have been are meticulusly restored to to their Victorian and Edwardian elegance, but complete with all the mod cons of twentyfirst century lifestyle.
Modern units now fulfill the need of young professionals for accommodation. Young adults and mature singletons are prominent. Private developers have secured planning permission to upgrade the existing Phibsborough Shopping Centre. This attractive area retains much of its original architecture, including terraces of pink, biscuit and red-brick houses, fine historic churches, such as St. Peter's and St Georges. A range of smaller Christian churches are evidence of the well mixed affiliations and religious tolerence of middle class Dublin at the turn of the 19th century. Several traditional Victorian era 'Dublin' pubs such as Doyles, Smiths, Mc Geoughs (formerly Geoghegans) and The Hut still trade briskly. Recently, the government announced plans to close the appallingly inadequate but historic Mountjoy Gaol and transfer the operations to Thornhill, a purpose built replacement in Fingal. It intends to redevelop this prison site, maintaining at least some of the original buildings. The development of the DIT campus at nearby Grangegorman will have a massive impact on the future of the whole quarter. It is likely that the Broadstone Rail corridor and Station will come back into play. Given the uncertainty resulting from the GFC downturn, much of the the redevelopment of DIT, Broadstone, Phibsboro Shopping Centre and Dalymount Park has been postponed temporarily.
Music, Arts, Media
The first Phibsborough community arts festival, Phizzfest, took place from 9 to 12 September 2010. Among the writers that took part were Anne Enright and Dermot Bolger.
Notable residents
- James JoyceJames JoyceJames Augustine Aloysius Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century...
, author. - Eamon de ValeraÉamon de ValeraÉamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
, republican revolutionary and politician. - Harry BolandHarry BolandHarry Boland was an Irish Republican politician and member of the First Dáil.-Early life:Boland was born in Phibsboro, Dublin on 27 April 1887. He was active in GAA circles in early life, and ultimately joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood...
, republican revolutionary. - Dick McKeeDick McKeeRichard “Dick” McKee was a prominent member of the Irish Republican Army . He was also friend to some senior members in the republican movement, including Éamon de Valera, Austin Stack and Michael Collins...
, republican revolutionary. - Bernard RyanBernard RyanBernard Ryan was one of six men hanged in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin on the 14 March 1921. He was a member of the Irish Republican Army and part of the Dublin Brigade's Active Service Unit...
, republican revolutionary. - Seóirse BodleySeóirse BodleySeóirse Bodley is an Irish composer and former associate professor of music at University College Dublin . He has been Saoi of Aosdána since 2008.-Biography:...
, the renowned composer and arranger. - Joe Geoghegan, the real life Joey de Lips of 'The Dreams' and Toronto Canada hit band 'Pendulum'.
- Philip GreenePhilip GreenePhilip Greene was a longstanding Irish sports radio broadcaster and football commentator on RTÉ Radio, as well as being a former Head of Sport at Raidió Teilifís Éireann...
, longtime RTÉRTERTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
sportscaster. - Gearoid Manning O.P., Provincial Emeritus of the Irish Dominicans.
- Joe Harris, automotive entrepreneur, and his family (sons William and Pino).
- Michael GambonMichael GambonSir Michael John Gambon, CBE is an Irish actor who has worked in theatre, television and film. A highly respected theatre actor, Gambon is recognised for his roles as Philip Marlowe in the BBC television serial The Singing Detective, as Jules Maigret in the 1990s ITV serial Maigret, and as...
, the London based actor. - Desmond Cardinal Connell Archbishop of Dublin and controversial prelate.
External links
- Bohemian FC
- Census of Ireland, Dublin 1911
- Photo-tour of the Broadstone Line of the Royal Canal.
- Draft Local Area Plan and Environmental Report for Phibsborough / Mountjoy
- View of Dublin city from Blaquiere Bridge (formerly located between Phibsboro library and the Leo Broe monument), early 19th century.
- Engraving of The Foster Aqueduct from The Dublin Penny Journal, 1835,
- St. Peter's Church, Phibsborough - A History extract from A History of Cabra and Phibsborough, Bernard Neary, 1978.
- James Joyce