Abbey Street Dublin

Divided into three parts, Upper, Middle and Lower Abbey Street, this is one of the main thoroughfares of the city, being an important street in 1756 when Rocque’s map called it Great Abbey Street and Little Abbey Street. The street derives its name from the medieval St Mary’s Abbey, founded in 1139 and which was affiliated to the monastery of Savigny before it came under the Cistercian order in 1147. A lot of Lower and Middle Abbey Street was reconstructed after the Easter Rising of 1916 when many buildings were lost to fire or to bombardment.

1780s – No.45 Lower O’Connell Street, Dublin

The end of a unified Wide Street Commission terrace at the corner of Abbey Street and O’Connell Street.

1824 – Royal Hibernian Academy, Lower Abbey St., Dublin

Architect: Francis Johnston

Francis Johnston, in his retirement, funded and designed this building for the Royal Hibernian Academy.

1824 – The Flowing Tide, Abbey Street, Dublin

A pub building on an important corner site, The Flowing Tide has a great cut stone façade at street level.

1825 – Union Chapel, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin

In 1818, two branches of Irish Seceding Presbyterianism united to form the Secession Synod of Ireland.

1839 – Former Bank, Abbey Street, Dublin

Architect: Isaac Farrell

The original interior long vanished, this small bank,

1839 – Former Baptist Church, Abbey Street, Dublin

Architect: George Papworth

A small christian church with very few architectural pretensions except for its main façade.

1840s – The Music Hall, Abbey Street, Dublin

Constructed as a hall for popular music which could also be used for recitals and talks.

1867 – United Presbyterian Church, Abbey Street, Dublin

Architect: William Fogerty

Original design, the tower and spire of which was not completed,

1872 – Nos.12-13 Lower O’Connell Street, Dublin

Architect: Thomas Newenham Deane

Shops & dwellings, for J.G.

1875 – W.H. Smith & Co., Middle Abbey Street, Dublin

Architect: Alfred G. Jones

Built at Nos. 79-80 Middle Abbey Street for W.H.