1832 – Gresham Hotel, O’Connell St., Dublin

Architect: George Papworth

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In 1817 Thomas Gresham purchased 21-22 Sackville Street and commenced business there as a hotel. After starting life as a foundling child, abandoned on the steps of the Royal Exchange in London, he came to Ireland, and as a very young man obtained employment in the service of William Beauman of Rutland Square, Dublin. After some time he became butler to this family. He left the family’s employment to open the hotel although how he acquired the capital to undertake an enterprise of this kind is not known. The hotel was badly damaged during the Irish Civil War and completely demolished and rebuilt.