Travelling thousands of miles, The American Institute of Architects, (AIA) has teamed up with Dublin architects to help re-imagine the heart and soul of Dublin City that is Dublin One…
The Dublin One District runs from O’Connell Street running as far as Capel Street and from Parnell Street to the Quays. Celebrating history and true Dublin charm, the district is also a major hub of opportunity.
With building regulations explained, the architects were then ready to explore the charm and backstreets of The City and see where these opportunities lay.
Kicking off on Capel Street, eight architects set off on a guided tour across The City, trawled across the busy bridges of the City venturing from the roads less traveled to the colourful markets of Moore Street.
Built on land reclaimed from the sea, Dublin celebrates culture, colour, noise and ethnicity all of which can be adorned from any point of The City.
A former hubspot of trade, the river Liffey weaves through the heart of Dublin City under its majestic bridges. Standing tall over The Liffey is an iconic landmark of the city, The Ha’Penny bridge. Towering beautifully over the Liffey, the bridge is beautifully adorned with lanterns and coated in an off white paint which was the closest shade to white at the time of its construction. Aptly named the Ha’Penny bridge, the charge for crossing was one Ha’Penny!
A Georgian City, many shops, pubs, bars and restaurants are adorned with orange brick – a staple emblem of the Georgian era. Weaving through the Streets, a word of advice from the tour guide was to remember to look up as well as around. Peering up at the City rooftops, many a gargoyle could be seen towering over the streets.
Out onto the hustle and bustle of Jervis Street, boutiques, shopping centres and department stores surrounded us. Developed by Henry Moore Earl of Drogheda, Henry Street, Moore Street, Earl Street, and Drogheda Street all bore The Earl’s name. In a humorous twist, The Earl was still not impressed seeing as the Of in his Title did not have a Street named after him. Granting his wish, Of Lane was hence named after The Duke in a bid to please him!
Home to the wedding of Arthur Guinness, The Church bar and restaurant on Mary’s Street was our next port of call. With beautifully stained windows, towering ceilings and an organ overlooking the bar, The Church is certainly not your average Irish pub. Sitting over a graveyard, we were thankfully assured the only remaining spirit is whiskey!
A powerhouse of history and culture, O’ Connell Street is a force to be reckoned with and is only going to grow in numbers.
Pointing out the National Irish bank, we remarked a rooftop of columns with ten angels some of which look content while the others look scorned and frightful. Sharing the back story of this feature, our tour guide explained the carving is of The Ten Virgins by Sir John Steell and depicts those who take out insurance are welcomed into heaven!
Closing off our city walkabout, we said our Goodbyes here on O’ Connell Street only metres from The Spire statue. With the tour complete, the team of architects plan to channel their insights and inspiration for what is to be called The Framework Project which will benefit the heart and soul that is #DublinOne.
