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Broadstone Luas Stop: A Confluence of History

The Broadstone Luas stop, a seemingly unremarkable point on Dublin’s Green Line, is a place where layers of history intersect. More than just a tram stop, it’s a gateway to the past, with connections to a forgotten canal harbour, a grand railway terminus, and a modern university campus. This blog post delves into the rich history of the Broadstone Luas stop and its surrounding area, exploring the architectural, cultural, and social significance of each landmark.

Broadstone Tram Stop and Plaza

The Broadstone Luas stop is a relatively recent addition to the area, opening in late 2017 as part of the Luas Cross City project. This ambitious project extended the Luas Green Line north from St. Stephen’s Green to Broombridge, traversing the city center and arriving at Broadstone. The construction involved excavating a large amount of earth and building a road bridge over the tracks to allow buses to access the nearby depot. While the stop was intended to be the closest to the Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) Grangegorman campus, the Grangegorman stop ultimately ended up being closer. Nevertheless, the Broadstone stop serves as an important transport hub for the surrounding community and provides access to the campus.

The stop is situated within the Broadstone Plaza, a newly developed public space designed as a “gateway” to the Grangegorman campus. The plaza’s design emphasises pedestrian access and connectivity, linking the campus with the surrounding neighborhoods of Phibsborough, Stoneybatter, and Prussia Street. This connection is further emphasized by the removal of the boundary wall that once separated Broadstone and Grangegorman, creating a historic pathway joining the two sites. The plaza provides easier access to the campus from these areas, fulfilling a key objective of the Grangegorman Masterplan.

The Luas Cross City project itself acted as a catalyst for the redevelopment of the Broadstone area and its connection to the Grangegorman campus. The project not only brought the tram line to Broadstone but also spurred the creation of the plaza and the pedestrian links envisioned in the Masterplan.

Within the plaza, you’ll find the “Bua” coffee kiosk, a popular spot for students and locals alike. Bua, meaning “victory” in Irish, was founded by two friends, Neil and Bud, who share a passion for quality coffee. Their first venture was a coffee truck in Drumcondra, and the success of Bua led them to open another specialty coffee shop called Joli in Stoneybatter. The presence of Bua in the plaza contributes to the sense of community and vibrancy that the Grangegorman Masterplan envisioned.

Broadstone Train Station and the Royal Canal

Dominating the plaza is the imposing structure of the old Broadstone Train Station. Built between 1841 and 1850, this building, designed in an austere neo-Egyptian style, served as the Dublin terminus of the Midland & Great Western Railway (MGWR). Designed by John Skipton Mulvaney, the station was constructed from Ballyknockan granite, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era. Interestingly, the building itself, known as the “Director’s House,” housed the offices of the MGWR company and was not a public entrance to the train shed behind.

The station’s location was strategically chosen due to its connection to the Royal Canal. A branch of the canal ran parallel to Phibsborough Road, terminating in a harbour adjacent to the station. This allowed for the efficient transport of goods and passengers between the railway and the canal network, connecting Dublin to the west of Ireland. A pontoon bridge across the canal provided access to the station.

The MGWR acquired the Royal Canal Company in 1845, further solidifying the link between rail and canal transport. The station’s significance as a transport hub is evident in its architectural grandeur and its historical role in facilitating trade and travel. During the War of Independence in 1920, Irish Volunteer Joseph Howley was assassinated at Broadstone by the Igoe Gang. This event adds another layer to the station’s rich history.

Today, the station building houses the headquarters of Bus Éireann and a Dublin Bus depot. The Luas line now runs through what was once the “railway cutting,” where it traverses the edge of the bus depot before continuing on its own right of way. This transformation highlights the evolving nature of transport infrastructure in the area. While the station once served as a gateway to the west of Ireland, it now primarily functions as a bus depot serving Dublin city, marking a significant shift in its role within the transport network.

St. Brendan’s Way and the Serpentine Walk

The Grangegorman Masterplan, which guides the development of the TU Dublin campus, places significant emphasis on pedestrian connectivity and green spaces. Two key elements of this plan are St. Brendan’s Way and the Serpentine Walk. St. Brendan’s Way is the primary urban path through the campus, designed as a vibrant pedestrian street with high-quality surface materials, street furniture, and landscaping. It connects the Broadstone Plaza to Prussia Street, creating a continuous pedestrian link from the city centre to the western neighbourhoods.

Complementing St. Brendan’s Way is the Serpentine Walk, a meandering path that traverses the site in two grand arcs, offering a more landscaped experience. It provides informal access to buildings and green spaces, with landscape “fingers” connecting the community to the playing fields. The Serpentine Walk is envisioned as part of a larger landscape network connecting the Grand Canal and Phoenix Park to the west with the Phibsborough and Mountjoy areas to the east. This network of paths provides both urban and landscaped experiences within the campus, promoting pedestrian movement and social interaction.

The Grangegorman Masterplan represents a significant effort to revitalise a historically institutionalised area and integrate it with the city. By prioritising pedestrian access, green spaces, and community connectivity, the Masterplan aims to create a vibrant and inclusive urban quarter.

Constitution Hill and King’s Inns

The Broadstone Luas stop is located on Constitution Hill, a historic street with connections to Dublin’s legal profession. The area was previously known as Glasmanogue, a name describing a ford crossing place over the Bradogue River, a Liffey tributary that now runs underground. The name “Constitution Hill” is believed to be derived from its proximity to King’s Inns, Ireland’s oldest institution of legal education. Founded in 1541, King’s Inns was initially located where the Four Courts now stand. In the 1790s, it moved to Constitution Hill, with the present building designed by renowned architect James Gandon.

King’s Inns is a prime example of Georgian architecture and has played a crucial role in shaping the Irish legal profession. Its graduates include prominent figures like Edward Carson, Patrick Pearse, and Mary Robinson. The institution’s presence across from the tram stop adds a layer of historical and cultural significance to the area. Visitors to King’s Inns can see the “Hungry Tree,” a large London Plane tree on the grounds that appears to be ingesting an iron bench.

Historically, Constitution Hill was also the site of a Royal Canal harbour, commissioned by Dublin Corporation in 1789. The harbours location was chosen for its proximity to the markets and the law courts, further connecting the area to the city’s commercial and legal activities.

Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann Depots

Adjacent to the Luas stop are the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann depots. The Dublin Bus depot occupies the old Broadstone Train Station building, which was repurposed after passenger services ceased in 1937. In 2021, the depot underwent a €15 million renovation, transforming it into a modern bus fleet maintenance facility. The depot has a capacity for 120 buses and employs 300 people. It also includes Dublin Bus’s Central Control and Driver Training Centre.

Bus Éireann, Ireland’s national bus service, also has its headquarters at Broadstone. The presence of these two major bus depots, along with the Luas stop, makes Broadstone a significant transport hub, employing a total of 1,200 people. To facilitate the operation of the depots, an overpass was constructed over the Luas tracks during the Cross City project. This overpass allows buses to access the depots without interfering with the tram service. As part of the Luas Cross City project, a “Be Track Aware” cycle safety campaign was also launched to promote safety around the new tram line.

Marian Statue

Near the old station building stands a Marian statue, a common sight in Ireland’s urban and rural landscapes. While the exact history of this particular statue is unclear, Marian statues in Ireland often date back to the mid-twentieth century. They represent a broader trend of reconfiguring the Irish landscape in the post-Independence period, reflecting the influence of Catholicism and nationalist discourse. The statue serves as a quiet reminder of the area’s religious and cultural heritage.

Conclusion
The Broadstone Luas stop is more than just a point of transit; it’s a place where the past and present intertwine. The layers of history are evident in the surrounding landmarks, from the remnants of a canal harbor and the grandeur of a former railway terminus to the modern university campus and bustling transport hub. The presence of King’s Inns, the bus depots, and the Marian statue further enrich the historical and cultural tapestry of this vibrant urban space.

The area’s transformation from a railway terminus serving the west of Ireland to a primarily Dublin-focused bus and tram hub reflects the changing needs and priorities of the city. The Grangegorman Masterplan, with its emphasis on pedestrian connectivity and green spaces, has played a crucial role in revitalizing this historically institutionalized area and integrating it with the surrounding community.

The Broadstone Luas stop stands as a testament to Dublin’s evolving urban landscape, where historical landmarks coexist with modern developments. It’s a place worth exploring, a place where one can take a journey through time while experiencing the dynamism of a modern city. Why not take a stroll along Constitution Hill, visit the grounds of King’s Inns, or simply pause to appreciate the architectural grandeur of the old Broadstone Train Station? You might be surprised by what you discover.