14 Henrietta Street Archives - NORTH OF THE RIVER

PRINCES STREET AS IT IS IN 2024

It should be noted that I have included, in this series of photographs, images of a narrow lane that connects North Princes Street to Middle Abbey Street as well as the GPO Arcade. The laneway is named William’s Lane and while many accounts claim that it is no longer shown on maps I checked Google Maps and it is identified. And while no one appears to know why it is named William’s Lane I am suggesting the following – the name William’s Lane may well be linked to a son of King George, potentially William IV who also served as Duke of Clarence. This would align with the naming of Princes Street (discussed below).

I had to visit the area a second time as some images were unusable because they showed homeless people who could be identified and that would have impacted on their right to privacy.

Princes Street North, a historic gem off O’Connell Street, offers a fascinating blend of past and present for locals and visitors alike.

Its roots trace back to Henry Moore, 3rd Earl of Drogheda, who initiated development in the northeastern part of the former St. Mary’s Abbey lands. Moore’s influence is still evident today in the names of nearby streets: Henry Street, Moore Street, and (North) Earl Street.

Originally, the street we now know as Upper O’Connell Street was called Drogheda Street. Unlike today’s bustling O’Connell Street, this street was narrower and primarily residential. The section of O’Connell Street extending to the present-day location of the Spire was part of Drogheda Street.

Luke Gardiner’s Transformation:

In the mid-18th century, Luke Gardiner acquired much of the old Moore estates in northern Dublin. Gardiner, known for developing Dublin’s first Georgian street (Henrietta Street), turned his attention to Drogheda Street. He demolished existing housing and replaced it with elegant Georgian townhouses. The street was widened to its current size, allowing for a central mall where affluent residents could promenade and display their finery.

The name changed from Drogheda Street to Sackville Mall or Sackville Street, honouring Lionel Sackville, the Duke of Dorset, who served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

Princes Street North Origins

Princes Street North, situated just off O’Connell Street, has a fascinating history. It is believed to have been developed in part by the Dominick family, who played a significant role in shaping the area. [I have had difficulty confirming the Dominick family’s role]
Princes Street North derives its name from the sons of King George III. Specifically, it honours the Duke of Rothesay (the title given to the heir apparent to the British throne) and the Duke of York. These royal titles were bestowed upon the sons of King George III during the late 18th century.
Freemans Journal

The office of the Freeman’s Journal was located on Princes Street North in Dublin’s city centre. During the 1916 Easter Rising, the building was heavily damaged.

Today, only one original property on Princes Street remains, preserving its historical significance

Metropole Cinema and Capitol Theatre

Metropole Cinema: Located on O’Connell Street, the Metropole Cinema opened in 1922. It was once a vibrant venue, hosting films and events. The Metropole was taken over by the Rank Organisation in the 1950s and screened popular movies like “Doctor Zhivago” and “Mary Poppins.” Unfortunately, it closed its doors in 1972.

Capitol Theatre: Originally known as the La Scala Theatre and Opera House, the Capitol Theatre stood on Prince’s Street, adjacent to the Metropole Cinema. Designed by architect T. F. McNamara, it featured a 1,900-seat auditorium with two balconies and 32 private boxes. Despite its name, La Scala was primarily a cinema. In 1927, Paramount Pictures took over the lease and renamed it the Capitol. The Capitol hosted live shows alongside film screenings. Notable Irish acts graced its stage. The last stage show occurred in 1953, and it continued as a cinema until 1972.

Demolition and Transformation: Both the Metropole Cinema and the Capitol Theatre were demolished. In their place, the British Home Stores (now occupied by Penneys) was constructed.

The GPO Arcade Is Off Princes Street North

The General Post Office was most famously the rebel stronghold in the 1916 Easter Rising. It, along with much of O’Connell Street Lower, was reduced to a burnt-out shell. The building was only cleared of debris in 1924 when the Free State government approved reconstruction plans, carried out principally by T.J. Byrne and J. Fairweather and reopened in 1929.

The GPO Arcade is an Art Deco-style shopping arcade situated at the rear of the General Post Office (GPO) complex. Accessible from both Henry Street and Princes Street North, this arcade has a unique charm that draws visitors and shoppers. The arcade was built by the Office of Public Works following the 1916 Easter Rising. Its construction aimed to enhance the GPO area and provide a covered shopping space for Dubliners. The GPO Arcade boasts an elegant design with polygonal glazed roofing. Its architecture reflects the Art Deco style prevalent during the early 20th century.

Princes Street Dublin, GPO Arcade, William’s Lane Dublin, History of O’Connell Street, Dublin Architecture, Art Deco Dublin, 1916 Rising, William Murphy, Infomatique, Fotonique, Apple, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Streets Of Dublin, Middle Abbey Street, North Princes Street, Ireland, March 2024,

OLD HISTORIC AREA

Henrietta place (built in the 1720s as part of the development of Henrietta Street) is a laneway off Henrietta Street and it is often used as a rat-run for cars travelling at speed and and for that reason I would advise walking along it at night and it also attracts a degree of anti-social activity. In the 1930s, the Dublin Corporation demolished most of the houses on Henrietta Place and built a social housing complex in their place. The complex, which is known as Henrietta House, is still in use today.

Henrietta House is a significant example of social housing architecture in Ireland. It was designed by Herbert Simms, who was one of the leading architects of social housing in the early 20th century. Simms’ design for Henrietta House is characterised by its simple, functional form and its use of red brick.

Henrietta Street is located off Bolton Street on the north side of the city. It was first laid out and developed by Luke Gardiner, the First Earl of Mountjoy, in the 1720s. A very wide street relative to streets in other 18th-century cities, it includes a number of very large red-brick city palaces of Georgian design.

Henrietta Street was once one of the most fashionable addresses in Dublin, and was home to many wealthy merchants and professionals. However, the street declined in status in the 19th century, and by the early 20th century, it had become a slum.

In recent years, Henrietta Street was the subject of a major conservation project, and many of the houses on the street were restored.

One of the most notable buildings on Henrietta Street is 14 Henrietta Street, which is now a museum. The museum tells the story of the street’s history, from its early days as a fashionable address to its later years as a slum.