Temple Bar, Dublin
Encyclopedia
Temple Bar is an area on the south bank of the River Liffey
in central Dublin, Ireland
. Unlike the areas surrounding it, Temple Bar has preserved its medieval street pattern, with many narrow cobbled
streets. It is promoted as "Dublin's cultural quarter" and has a lively nightlife that is popular with tourists
. Temple Bar is in the postcode Dublin 2 (D2), and has an estimated population of 3,000.
The area is bounded by the Liffey to the north, Dame Street to the south, Westmoreland Street
to the east and Fishamble Street
to the west. It probably got its name from the Temple family, who lived in the area in the 17th century; Sir William Temple, provost of Trinity College Dublin in 1609, had his house and gardens here. However it got its name, the earliest historical reference to the name Temple Bar is on a 1673 map.
Fishamble Street in Temple Bar was the location of the first performance of Handel's Messiah
on 13 April 1742. An annual performance of the Messiah is held on the same date at the same location. The republican revolutionary group, the Society of the United Irishmen
, was formed at a meeting in a tavern in Eustace Street in 1791.
During the 19th century, the area slowly declined in popularity, and in the 20th century, it suffered from urban decay
, with many derelict buildings. Its unfashionability probably saved it from Dublin's property developers, who destroyed much of the city's historic architecture during the 1960s.
In the 1980s, the state-owned transport company Córas Iompair Éireann
proposed to buy-up and demolish property in the area and build a bus terminus in its place. While this was in the planning stages, the purchased buildings were let out at low rents, which attracted small shops, artists and galleries to the area. Protests by An Taisce
, residents and traders led to the cancellation of the bus station project, and the Taoiseach
Charles Haughey
was responsible for securing funding, and, in 1991, the government set up a not-for-profit company called Temple Bar Properties to oversee the regeneration of the area as Dublin's cultural quarter.
In 1999, "Stag Parties" and "Hen Nights" were supposedly banned (or discouraged) from Temple Bar, mainly due to drunken loutish behaviour, although this seems to have lapsed. However, noise and anti-social behaviour usually fueled by excessive alcohol consumption remain a problem at night.
, incorporating the Irish Film Archive
, the Temple Bar Music Centre, the Arthouse Multimedia Centre, Temple Bar Gallery and Studio
, the Project Arts Centre
, the Gaiety School of Acting, IBaT College (City Centre)
, as well as the Irish Stock Exchange
and the Central Bank of Ireland.
After dark, the area is a major centre for nightlife, with many tourist-focused nightclubs, restaurants and bars. Pubs in the area include The Porterhouse
, the Oliver St. John Gogarty, the Turk's Head, the Temple Bar, Czech Inn (in the former Isolde's Tower), the Quays Bar, the Foggy Dew, Eamonn Doran's
and the Purty Kitchen(formerly Bad Bobs).
Two squares have been renovated in recent years — Meetinghouse Square and the central Temple Bar Square. The Temple Bar Book Market is held on Saturdays and Sundays in Temple Bar Square.
Meetinghouse Square, which takes its name from the nearby Quaker Meeting House, is used for outdoor film screenings in the summer months. Since summer 2004, Meetinghouse Square is also home to the Speaker's Square project (an area of Public speaking
) and to the Temple Bar Food Market every Saturday.
The Cow's Lane Market is a fashion and design market which takes place on Cow's Lane every Saturday.
River Liffey
The Liffey is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac. The river supplies much of Dublin's water, and a range of recreational opportunities.-Name:The river was previously named An Ruirthech,...
in central Dublin, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. Unlike the areas surrounding it, Temple Bar has preserved its medieval street pattern, with many narrow cobbled
Cobblestone
Cobblestones are stones that were frequently used in the pavement of early streets. "Cobblestone" is derived from the very old English word "cob", which had a wide range of meanings, one of which was "rounded lump" with overtones of large size...
streets. It is promoted as "Dublin's cultural quarter" and has a lively nightlife that is popular with tourists
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
. Temple Bar is in the postcode Dublin 2 (D2), and has an estimated population of 3,000.
History
Westmoreland Street
Westmoreland Street is a street in the southern city-centre of Dublin, Ireland. It is one of the two broad avenues - along with D'Olier Street - that converge at their northern ends at O'Connell Bridge over the River Liffey...
to the east and Fishamble Street
Fishamble Street
Fishamble Street is a street in Dublin, Ireland within the old city walls.The street joins Wood Quay at the Fish Slip near Fyan's Castle. It is mentioned in the 14th century as Vicus Piscariorum and as Fish Street. In 1577, Stanihurst named it as St John's Street...
to the west. It probably got its name from the Temple family, who lived in the area in the 17th century; Sir William Temple, provost of Trinity College Dublin in 1609, had his house and gardens here. However it got its name, the earliest historical reference to the name Temple Bar is on a 1673 map.
Fishamble Street in Temple Bar was the location of the first performance of Handel's Messiah
Messiah (Handel)
Messiah is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742, and received its London premiere nearly a year later...
on 13 April 1742. An annual performance of the Messiah is held on the same date at the same location. The republican revolutionary group, the Society of the United Irishmen
Society of the United Irishmen
The Society of United Irishmen was founded as a liberal political organisation in eighteenth century Ireland that sought Parliamentary reform. However, it evolved into a revolutionary republican organisation, inspired by the American Revolution and allied with Revolutionary France...
, was formed at a meeting in a tavern in Eustace Street in 1791.
During the 19th century, the area slowly declined in popularity, and in the 20th century, it suffered from urban decay
Urban decay
Urban decay is the process whereby a previously functioning city, or part of a city, falls into disrepair and decrepitude...
, with many derelict buildings. Its unfashionability probably saved it from Dublin's property developers, who destroyed much of the city's historic architecture during the 1960s.
In the 1980s, the state-owned transport company Córas Iompair Éireann
Córas Iompair Éireann
Córas Iompair Éireann , or CIÉ, is a statutory corporation of the Irish state, answerable to the Irish Government and responsible for most public transport in the Republic of Ireland and, jointly with its Northern Ireland counterpart, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, between the...
proposed to buy-up and demolish property in the area and build a bus terminus in its place. While this was in the planning stages, the purchased buildings were let out at low rents, which attracted small shops, artists and galleries to the area. Protests by An Taisce
An Taisce
An Taisce , also known as the National Trust for Ireland, was established in 1948 with a similar mission to that of the National Trust in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
, residents and traders led to the cancellation of the bus station project, and the Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
was responsible for securing funding, and, in 1991, the government set up a not-for-profit company called Temple Bar Properties to oversee the regeneration of the area as Dublin's cultural quarter.
In 1999, "Stag Parties" and "Hen Nights" were supposedly banned (or discouraged) from Temple Bar, mainly due to drunken loutish behaviour, although this seems to have lapsed. However, noise and anti-social behaviour usually fueled by excessive alcohol consumption remain a problem at night.
Present day
The area is the location of many Irish cultural institutions, including the Irish Photography Centre (incorporating the Dublin Institute of Photography, the National Photographic Archives and the Gallery of Photography), the Ark Children's Cultural Centre, the Irish Film InstituteIrish Film Institute
The Irish Film Institute is both a film theatre and a national body that supports Irish Film heritage. It maintains an archive of Irish films and provides education in film culture. It shows independent and foreign language films overlooked by commercial multiplexes at its cinema in the Temple Bar...
, incorporating the Irish Film Archive
Irish film archive
The Irish Film Archive is part of the Irish Film Institute the body charged with the promotion and preservation of film culture in Ireland....
, the Temple Bar Music Centre, the Arthouse Multimedia Centre, Temple Bar Gallery and Studio
Temple Bar Gallery and Studio
Temple Bar Gallery + Studios is located in the centre of Temple Bar, which is Dublin's designated cultural quarter. With a key profile and on street presence, the current building is a mid-nineties structure designed by Irish architects McCullough/Mulvin. The building contains one of Ireland's...
, the Project Arts Centre
Project Arts Centre
Project Arts Centre is a multidisciplinary contemporary arts centre located in Dublin's Temple Bar that showcases cutting-edge visual art and performance....
, the Gaiety School of Acting, IBaT College (City Centre)
IBAT College (Swords)
IBAT College Swords is an Irish business school based in the town of Swords, in Fingal in the north of Dublin, founded in 2004. It also has an "international office" in Selangor, Malaysia. The college provides courses in business, accountancy, information technology and law...
, as well as the Irish Stock Exchange
Irish Stock Exchange
-History:The Irish Stock Exchange is Ireland's only stock exchange and has been in existence since 1793. It is an Irish private company limited by guarantee. It was first recognised by legislation in 1799 when the Irish Parliament passed the Stock Exchange Act...
and the Central Bank of Ireland.
The Porterhouse Brewing Company
The Porterhouse Brewing Company is a chain of bars in Ireland, London, England and New York in the Financial District. It was founded in 1989 by Liam La Hart and Oliver Hughes and now has 6 premises.-History:...
, the Oliver St. John Gogarty, the Turk's Head, the Temple Bar, Czech Inn (in the former Isolde's Tower), the Quays Bar, the Foggy Dew, Eamonn Doran's
Eamonn Doran's
Eamonn Doran's was a bar and music venue located in the heart of Dublin's Temple Bar area and was formerly known as The Rock Garden.The Cranberries, Mundy, Paddy Casey, Damien Dempsey, Joy Zipper, Republic Of Loose started off playing there and in 1993, Radiohead played their first ever Irish gig...
and the Purty Kitchen(formerly Bad Bobs).
Two squares have been renovated in recent years — Meetinghouse Square and the central Temple Bar Square. The Temple Bar Book Market is held on Saturdays and Sundays in Temple Bar Square.
Meetinghouse Square, which takes its name from the nearby Quaker Meeting House, is used for outdoor film screenings in the summer months. Since summer 2004, Meetinghouse Square is also home to the Speaker's Square project (an area of Public speaking
Public speaking
Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners...
) and to the Temple Bar Food Market every Saturday.
The Cow's Lane Market is a fashion and design market which takes place on Cow's Lane every Saturday.
External links
- Traders in the Area Supporting the Cultural Quarter — A non-profit organization representing businesses and traders in Temple Bar
- Temple Bar Trad Irish Music & Culture Festival — A five day Irish music and culture festival
- Temple Bar Cultural Trust website
- The Architecture of Temple Bar — from the Irish Architecture Online website
- Google Maps — Google MapsGoogle MapsGoogle Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free , that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API...
view of Temple Bar - Image of Temple Bar Pub
- Seeing Éire II - Temple Bar (architecture) (LandLiving.com)
- Barnacles Temple Bar House — Budget Accommodation in the heart of Temple Bar
- Temple Bar accommodation finder
- Temple Bar guesthouses
- Temple Bar hotels
- Temple Bar hotels
- Temple Bar Hotel