Smithfield, Dublin

Smithfield (Irish place name|Margadh na Feirme|Farmers' Market) is an area on the northside of Dublin. Its focal point is a public square, formerly an open market, now officially called Smithfield Plaza, but known locally as Smithfield Square or Smithfield Market.

Notable landmarks include the The Old Jameson Whiskey Distillery and the Observation Tower. The area also has a seasonal ice rink.

There is no general agreement on the extent of the area known as Smithfield, but it might generally be said to incorporate the area bounded by the River Liffey to the south, Bow Street to the east, Queen Street to the west, and North Brunswick street to the north.

History

Smithfield Market was laid out in the mid 17th century as a marketplace. Until recently the square was lined with inner city 'farm yards' housing livestock. In 1964 Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor spent time here, as Burton worked on the film set in Smithfield for the film adaptation of John le Carre's novel "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold". Recently, Smithfield has been rejuvenated under the HARP (Historic Area Rejuvenation Plan). The restoration involved lifting more than 400,000 one hundred and twenty-year-old cobblestones, cleaning them by hand and re-laying them. Contemporary architecture and twelve 26 metre gas lighting masts, each with a 2 metre flame, now flank the square. The smell of horses can still be experienced at Smithfield at the Horse Market (every first Sunday the month) and the sight and sounds on these Sundays give an impression of what Smithfield once was. The city council is in the process of trying to move the horse market out of the area, with some newer residents especially uncomfortable with its atmosphere.

Features

The Smithfield area is also home to the Dublin City Fruit Vegetable and Flower Market, one of Dublin's best kept Victorian architectural secrets. The Council recently demolished the adjacent Fish Market building and plan to redevelop the rest of the site.

Developments

Smithfield may include the satellite, and developing "Museum district" to the west, and the Four Courts district to the east. These districts are largely residential and combined with the area around Smithfield square they comprise the main Liffey river frontage of Dublin 7.

Recent commercial, residential and cultural developments have led to the area becoming newly fashionable in the first decade of the 21st century with venues like The Dice Bar, The Cobblestone Bar and The Voodoo Lounge proving an alternative to the city centre clubs.The Park Inn Hotel is becoming increasingly popular as a conference venue as well as for tourist accommodation.

###@@@KEYEND@@@###

ee also

*Spencer Dock

External links

* [http://www.dublinks.com/index.cfm/loc/18/spid/FC7D25D7-106E-4CFC-9EEAAFA5E2F6AB6C/pt/10.htm Map of Smithfield]