HEADLESS SOUTH OF THE RIVER

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Children's Hospital

28 BROOKFIELD ROAD IN KILMAINHAM IS A HISTORIC COTTAGE IN THE SHADOW OF A HUGE NEW HOSPITAL

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM MURPHY USING A SONY FX30

This charming, attached three-bay, single-storey cottage with attic accommodation, dating back to approximately 1780, stands at 28 Brookfield Road, Kilmainham. A recent glazed sun-room addition to the rear (north-east) elevation complements the original structure. The cottage features a pitched slate roof, complete with a rendered chimneystack, coping, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Clay ridge tiles and painted rubble stone walls contribute to its unique character. Square-headed window openings, framed by masonry lintels and granite sills, house timber frame windows. A square-headed door opening leads to the front, featuring a timber battened door opening onto a granite step.

This modest vernacular dwelling represents a traditional architectural style increasingly scarce in urban environments. It retains much of its original form and fabric, with its small windows and high roof-pitch more reminiscent of rural than urban residences. The painted rubble stone walls, which would originally have been whitewashed, offer a delightful contrast to the prevalent red brick of the street, making it a distinctive feature of the streetscape. However, this historic cottage now faces a dramatic change to its surroundings. Brookfield Road and its immediate environs are currently undergoing a significant transformation with the construction of the vast new Children’s Hospital, a project nearing completion. This imposing development will undoubtedly dominate the landscape, significantly altering the character of Brookfield Road and casting a long shadow, both literally and figuratively, over this small piece of Dublin’s architectural heritage.

LUAS TRAM STOP RIALTO – THIS WILL SERVICE THE NEW CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

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PHOTOGRAPHED 22 FEBRUARY 2025

Rialto, Dublin 8, is a vibrant area with a strong sense of community. It is a diverse and dynamic neighbourhood with a rich history and a promising future.

Key Features:

Community and Atmosphere: Rialto is known for its friendly, village-like atmosphere, with a mix of longstanding residents and newcomers. The area boasts picturesque redbrick houses and a flower-filled roundabout, enhancing its charm.
Amenities and Accessibility: Rialto is conveniently located just a short distance from Dublin’s city centre, making it easy for residents to access urban amenities. The area is well-served by public transportation, including several bus routes and the Luas red line, providing quick access to central locations.  
Regeneration and Development: Rialto has experienced gradual gentrification without losing its original charm. This transformation has brought new businesses and improved housing options.  

Rialto Luas Stop and the New Children’s Hospital:

The Rialto Luas stop is a significant landmark in the area, providing convenient access to the city centre and surrounding areas. Its importance is set to be further amplified when it becomes the primary stop serving the new Children’s Hospital, due to open in 2026. This is expected to bring increased attention and activity to the area, with families and visitors from all over Ireland using the stop to access the hospital.

EXPLORING A UNIQUE SECTION OF THE LUAS RED LINE

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THE GRASS SECTION BETWEEN THE SUIR ROAD STOP AND THE RIALTO STOP

I visited the area as I wanted to explore the new Children’s Hospital.

From Canal to Rail: The story begins with the Grand Canal, a vital 18th and 19th-century transport network. James’s Street Harbour, a bustling hub connected to Guinness’s operations, was a key part of this system. However, the canal system declined due to the rise of railways, which offered faster and more efficient transport. Ironically, sections of these very canals, including the one connected to James’s Street Harbour, were later filled in. Now, history has come full circle: the LUAS Red Line, a 21st-century light rail system, utilises the path of this filled-in canal, demonstrating how old transport corridors can be repurposed for new technologies.

The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of Transport: We see a clear pattern: canals gave way to railways, which in turn faced competition from road transport. The wheel turns again as cities now grapple with traffic congestion and seek more sustainable solutions. Light rail, like the LUAS, re-emerges as a viable option, often utilising existing rights-of-wayโ€”in this case, the old canal route.

The Children’s Hospital Connection: Adding another layer to this historical tapestry, the new Children’s Hospital is located on land associated with the original James’s Street area, near the old harbour. This means that the land, once a hub for canal traffic connected to Guinness and other industries, is now home to a major medical facility served by a modern light rail system running along the path of the old canal.

A Full Circle: This sequence of events is a powerful illustration of how urban landscapes evolve. A transport system (canals) becomes obsolete, its infrastructure is repurposed, and then, a new transport system (light rail) reuses that repurposed land. The location of the Children’s Hospital on land associated with the old James’s Street Harbour further emphasises this cycle of change and adaptation. It’s a testament to how cities constantly reinvent themselves, often building the future on the foundations of the past.