IS IT IN THE COOMBE
MARKS ALLEY WEST [IS IT IN THE COOMBE OR IS IT IN THE NEWMARKET AREA OF DUBLIN]
Many people disagree when I describe West Marks Alley as being in The Coombe. An even greater number disagree when I suggest it is in the Newmarket area of Dublin. As a result, I commissioned some research. While the full report was complex and difficult to read, some key findings shed light on the matter:
Synthesis of Findings: The analysis reveals several important points regarding the location of Marks Alley West:
Its precise geographical position off Francis Street places it physically in the immediate area between the eastern end of The Coombe street and the rapidly developing Newmarket Square.
"The Coombe" refers both to a specific, historically significant street and a broader, less formally defined neighbourhood shaped by historical institutions and associations.
"Newmarket" identifies a distinct historical market square and a surrounding area currently undergoing significant, officially designated regeneration (SDRA 15), which is reshaping its contemporary identity and functional reach.
Various sources present conflicting or overlapping affiliations. Some property documents explicitly link Marks Alley West to The Coombe, while transport data and its proximity to major modern developments align it closely with Newmarket.
The overarching label "The Liberties" is also frequently used.
Historically, both The Coombe and Newmarket developed within the same administrative framework (The Liberties) and shared a common industrial heritage, suggesting a historically integrated urban fabric rather than sharply divided neighbourhoods.
Addressing the Ambiguity: Based on the available evidence, there is no single, definitive answer as to whether Marks Alley West belongs to The Coombe or Newmarket that satisfies all criteria.
Its affiliation depends on the context being prioritised:
Historical Association and Formal Convention: Evidence from property listings, comparative property data, transport descriptions, and its proximity to the historical centre of St. Luke's Parish suggests a strong historical connection and potentially an established formal or postal address association with The Coombe.
Functional Geography and Contemporary Context: Its immediate physical adjacency to Newmarket Square, its inclusion within walking distance metrics for Newmarket Street stops, its position relative to major modern developments, and its location within an area targeted for integration with Newmarket under the City Development Plan indicate that it is functionally adjacent to, and increasingly integrated with, the modern Newmarket area.
Overlapping Zone within The Liberties: From both a geographical and historical perspective, Marks Alley West occupies an overlapping, transitional space where the distinct identities of The Coombe and Newmarket merge within the broader context of The Liberties.
Final Determination: In conclusion, while historical precedent and certain formal conventions may continue to associate West Marks Alley with The Coombe, its physical location and the significant impact of ongoing regeneration efforts centred on Newmarket Square mean that it is increasingly perceived, and functions, as being immediately adjacent to, or effectively part of, the revitalised Newmarket area. It exists within a transitional zone between these two historic localities, fundamentally remaining within the wider Liberties district but strongly influenced by the contemporary dynamism of Newmarket.
Many people disagree when I describe West Marks Alley as being in The Coombe. An even greater number disagree when I suggest it is in the Newmarket area of Dublin. As a result, I commissioned some research. While the full report was complex and difficult to read, some key findings shed light on the matter:
Synthesis of Findings: The analysis reveals several important points regarding the location of Marks Alley West:
Its precise geographical position off Francis Street places it physically in the immediate area between the eastern end of The Coombe street and the rapidly developing Newmarket Square.
"The Coombe" refers both to a specific, historically significant street and a broader, less formally defined neighbourhood shaped by historical institutions and associations.
"Newmarket" identifies a distinct historical market square and a surrounding area currently undergoing significant, officially designated regeneration (SDRA 15), which is reshaping its contemporary identity and functional reach.
Various sources present conflicting or overlapping affiliations. Some property documents explicitly link Marks Alley West to The Coombe, while transport data and its proximity to major modern developments align it closely with Newmarket.
The overarching label "The Liberties" is also frequently used.
Historically, both The Coombe and Newmarket developed within the same administrative framework (The Liberties) and shared a common industrial heritage, suggesting a historically integrated urban fabric rather than sharply divided neighbourhoods.
Addressing the Ambiguity: Based on the available evidence, there is no single, definitive answer as to whether Marks Alley West belongs to The Coombe or Newmarket that satisfies all criteria.
Its affiliation depends on the context being prioritised:
Historical Association and Formal Convention: Evidence from property listings, comparative property data, transport descriptions, and its proximity to the historical centre of St. Luke's Parish suggests a strong historical connection and potentially an established formal or postal address association with The Coombe.
Functional Geography and Contemporary Context: Its immediate physical adjacency to Newmarket Square, its inclusion within walking distance metrics for Newmarket Street stops, its position relative to major modern developments, and its location within an area targeted for integration with Newmarket under the City Development Plan indicate that it is functionally adjacent to, and increasingly integrated with, the modern Newmarket area.
Overlapping Zone within The Liberties: From both a geographical and historical perspective, Marks Alley West occupies an overlapping, transitional space where the distinct identities of The Coombe and Newmarket merge within the broader context of The Liberties.
Final Determination: In conclusion, while historical precedent and certain formal conventions may continue to associate West Marks Alley with The Coombe, its physical location and the significant impact of ongoing regeneration efforts centred on Newmarket Square mean that it is increasingly perceived, and functions, as being immediately adjacent to, or effectively part of, the revitalised Newmarket area. It exists within a transitional zone between these two historic localities, fundamentally remaining within the wider Liberties district but strongly influenced by the contemporary dynamism of Newmarket.
IS IT IN THE COOMBE