12 Pro Max

EXPLORING ORMOND SQUARE AND NEARBY

History and Transformation:

Georgian Origins: Ormond Square, on Dublin’s north side, was originally developed in the early 18th century with grand Georgian homes.

Mid-Century Changes: Sadly, much of the original Georgian architecture was demolished, likely in the 1940s or 50s, during a period when some older urban areas were redeveloped.

Modern Housing: The square was rebuilt with more modest houses of that mid-century style, creating the primary aesthetic you see today.

Remaining Traces: It’s possible that some elements or fragments of the Georgian past might still exist nearby, but largely the square’s appearance reflects that mid-century redevelopment.

It’s a great example of how urban landscapes can change drastically over time.

Famous Footballer:

Liam Brady: One of the most celebrated footballers in Irish history, Liam Brady, was born and raised in Ormond Square. He achieved legendary status playing for Arsenal and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Current Status:

Mixed Residential: Today, Ormond Square is a primarily residential area with a mix of restored townhouses and modern apartment buildings.

Business Elements: The surrounding streets have commercial activity, including offices, cafes, and some shops.

Proximity to City Centre: Ormond Square boasts a central location, within walking distance of O’Connell Street and the vibrant north side of Dublin’s city centre.

Drug and Safety Concerns:

Urban Challenges: Like some central Dublin areas, Ormond Square and its vicinity have had issues with drug-related crime in the past. However, there have been ongoing efforts by local authorities and community groups to address these problems.

Safety Perception: As with any city, it’s wise to be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Ormond Square itself is generally regarded as safe, but it’s advisable to exercise caution in some of the laneways at night.

Local Resources: If you’re planning to live in or visit the area, it’s a good idea to reach out to local community groups or the Gardaí (Irish police) for the most up-to-date information on safety.

Overall, Ormond Square presents a mix of historic charm and modern living. Its city centre location and ongoing revitalisation make it an attractive area, while being mindful of broader urban challenges is a sensible practice for any visitor or resident.

VERY FEW CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT THE CHQ

In case you don’t know Condé Nast Traveller has named Dublin as one of its top spots in the world to celebrate Christmas.

When I was young I visited my Grand-Aunts house hand she had no Christmas decoration and I started crying crying as there was “no Christmas” … this year I could complain that there is no Christmas as the many Christmas trees have no lights.

I was born on New Year day 1950 and for this reason alone I have always liked the Christmas season and throughout my working life I managed to get two or three weeks holiday at Christmas and I never worked on New Year’s day and usually I did not return to work or school earlier than the 6th. of January. I must admit that Covid did, to some extent, ruin last Christmas.

The CHQ Building, formerly known as Stack A, is an industrial building in Dublin, Ireland. CHQ stands for “Custom House Quay”, named for the nearby Custom House. Known as the Tobacco Store to dockworkers, it was built in 1820 to store cargos of tobacco, tea and spirits. Tobacco and tea were kept in separate compartments above ground. Wine and spirit casks were stored in the vaults below ground.

The building was designed by the Scottish engineer John Rennie, with his son of the same name working as his principal assistant. When it was constructed, the building had one of the largest single interior spaces in the city, and its brick external walls enclosed a space of more than 8,000sqm. The structure was supported by a cast iron frame supporting a slated roof. No wood was used in the construction. The building measures 155m by 55m and of the original nine vaults that run west to east and cover the entire footprint of the building, eight and a half remain after the building was reduced by 5m at its southern end in 1884 in order to widen Custom House Quay. A total of eleven warehouses or “stacks”, as well as three deep-water docks were built on reclaimed land making up the Custom House Docks complex.

An description of the CHQ Building dating from 1821 by the Rev. George Newenham Wright, an Anglican clergyman, noted that: “the tobacco store (500 feet by 160, and capable of containing 3,000 hogsheads), the plan of which was given by John Rennie, Esq [has] nine vaults beneath, which altogether afford perfect and convenient storage for 4,500 pipes of wine, allowing a walk behind the heads of the pipes as well as between them; these vaults are lighted by means of thick lenses set in iron plates in the floor of the tobacco store; but this is not sufficient to supersede the necessity of candle light. [The] roof is supported by metal frame-work of an ingenious construction [..] supported by three rows of cylindrical metal pillars, 26 in each row; these rest upon others of granite, which are continued through the stone floor into the vaults beneath.”

In addition to its use as a storehouse, because of the large interior space, the building has also been put to other uses.

For example, on 22 October 1856, the building was the chosen venue for a banquet, paid for by the citizens of Dublin, in honour of those Irish soldiers who had served in the British Army during the Crimean War. The ‘Great National Banquet’ was the brainchild of Fergus Farrell, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who had been a deputy to Daniel O’Connell. It is estimated that one third of the 111,000 men who served in the war were Irish, including 114 of those involved in the Charge of the Light Brigade. The guests at the banquet included 3,628 soldiers from regiments quartered in Dublin and the four provinces, as well as 1,000 non-military guests, principally subscribers, seated in the gallery overlooking the hall. Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough, the Tipperary-born Colonel-in-Chief of the 60th Royal Rifles, addressed and toasted the attendees.

In the early 2000s, the protected structure was restored by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority. Irishman Neville Isdell, a former chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola, along with Mervyn Greene, purchased the building in late 2013 with the intention of further developing the structure.Today, the building contains a number of businesses, including the EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and Dogpatch Labs.

LIAM BRADY THE FAMOUS FOOTBALLER WAS BORN HERE

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS UNDERWAY BUT THE DECORATIONS ARE MUTED