1881 – South City Markets, South Great George’s Street, Dublin

Architect: Lockwood & Mawson

South City Markets takes up an entire block of the city and is surrounded on all side by a network of small busy commercial streets. The building is heavily ornate with much decoration in terracotta and red brick, and originally contained a large glass covered market place. After a serious fire in 1892, the glass market place was destroyed and replaced by a cruciform plan containing intersecting arcades. The adaption was handled by W.H. Byrne and he was also responsible for removing the central tower & spire and the corner spires from the Georges Street facade.

At the same time Byrne designed several blocks of shops in streets behind the complex with shop fronts modeled on the Markets facades. The interior has since been remodeled when one of the arcades being incorporated into a sausage factory and an old department store. The original entry arches can still be seen on the building exterior, with the southern end remaining open providing entrance to the factory. The remaining arcade gives a good impression of the original intention. The arcade is top lit by glazed panels in the roof and by clerestory windows. The complex also has a huge columned and vaulted basement which is accessible as a public carpark. The building came under threat in the 1970s but has now been reprieved and has gained a new lease of life as the market has become a busy pedestrian route.

There are many fine details in the arcades including the small arched doorways at either end of the pedestrian route, and the decorative ironwork supporting the building above.

In recent years work has been done restoring and cleaning the facades.