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LUAS TRAM STOP RIALTO – THIS WILL SERVICE THE NEW CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

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PHOTOGRAPHED 22 FEBRUARY 2025

Rialto, Dublin 8, is a vibrant area with a strong sense of community. It is a diverse and dynamic neighbourhood with a rich history and a promising future.

Key Features:

Community and Atmosphere: Rialto is known for its friendly, village-like atmosphere, with a mix of longstanding residents and newcomers. The area boasts picturesque redbrick houses and a flower-filled roundabout, enhancing its charm.
Amenities and Accessibility: Rialto is conveniently located just a short distance from Dublin’s city centre, making it easy for residents to access urban amenities. The area is well-served by public transportation, including several bus routes and the Luas red line, providing quick access to central locations.  
Regeneration and Development: Rialto has experienced gradual gentrification without losing its original charm. This transformation has brought new businesses and improved housing options.  

Rialto Luas Stop and the New Children’s Hospital:

The Rialto Luas stop is a significant landmark in the area, providing convenient access to the city centre and surrounding areas. Its importance is set to be further amplified when it becomes the primary stop serving the new Children’s Hospital, due to open in 2026. This is expected to bring increased attention and activity to the area, with families and visitors from all over Ireland using the stop to access the hospital.

EXPLORING A UNIQUE SECTION OF THE LUAS RED LINE

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THE GRASS SECTION BETWEEN THE SUIR ROAD STOP AND THE RIALTO STOP

I visited the area as I wanted to explore the new Children’s Hospital.

From Canal to Rail: The story begins with the Grand Canal, a vital 18th and 19th-century transport network. James’s Street Harbour, a bustling hub connected to Guinness’s operations, was a key part of this system. However, the canal system declined due to the rise of railways, which offered faster and more efficient transport. Ironically, sections of these very canals, including the one connected to James’s Street Harbour, were later filled in. Now, history has come full circle: the LUAS Red Line, a 21st-century light rail system, utilises the path of this filled-in canal, demonstrating how old transport corridors can be repurposed for new technologies.

The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of Transport: We see a clear pattern: canals gave way to railways, which in turn faced competition from road transport. The wheel turns again as cities now grapple with traffic congestion and seek more sustainable solutions. Light rail, like the LUAS, re-emerges as a viable option, often utilising existing rights-of-way—in this case, the old canal route.

The Children’s Hospital Connection: Adding another layer to this historical tapestry, the new Children’s Hospital is located on land associated with the original James’s Street area, near the old harbour. This means that the land, once a hub for canal traffic connected to Guinness and other industries, is now home to a major medical facility served by a modern light rail system running along the path of the old canal.

A Full Circle: This sequence of events is a powerful illustration of how urban landscapes evolve. A transport system (canals) becomes obsolete, its infrastructure is repurposed, and then, a new transport system (light rail) reuses that repurposed land. The location of the Children’s Hospital on land associated with the old James’s Street Harbour further emphasises this cycle of change and adaptation. It’s a testament to how cities constantly reinvent themselves, often building the future on the foundations of the past.

THE WIND SHELTERS AND THE BANDSTAND ALONG CLONTARF PROMENADE

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REMAIN AS A TRIBUTE TO HERBERT SIMMS

ERROR THIS IS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE LIFFEY

Clontarf promenade is home to a series of remarkable wind shelters and a bandstand, all designed by the influential architect Herbert Simms. These structures, built between 1955 and 1958, are not only functional, providing respite from the elements, but also serve as striking examples of modernist design.

The Wind Shelters:

There are eight freestanding reinforced concrete shelters dotted along the promenade.
Each shelter features a curved concrete roof and walls, with integrated concrete benches providing seating.
They have distinctive round openings to the east and west, allowing for views and ventilation, and two diamond or round openings at the back.
The shelters are considered iconic structures, emblematic of Dublin’s urban landscape.

The Bandstand:

This circular structure, also constructed from reinforced concrete, boasts a unique design.
Its most notable feature is the cantilevered roof, supported by a central column.
While currently fenced off due to structural concerns, it remains a beloved landmark.

Herbert Simms (1898-1948):

Simms was a prominent Dublin City Architect who played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s landscape during the 1930s and 1940s.
He is best known for his work on social housing projects, including the iconic Dublin flat complexes.
Simms’ designs were heavily influenced by the modernist movement, evident in the clean lines and functional aesthetic of the Clontarf structures.
His work often incorporated innovative use of materials like reinforced concrete, as seen in the shelters and bandstand.
Simms’ legacy extends beyond individual buildings; he championed the idea of public amenities and green spaces as integral parts of urban planning.

The wind shelters and bandstand on Clontarf promenade are not merely architectural curiosities; they are testaments to Simms’ vision of a city where form and function coexist, and where public spaces are designed to enhance the lives of its citizens. These structures, now under consideration for protected status, stand as a reminder of Dublin’s rich architectural heritage and the enduring impact of Herbert Simms.

CUFFE STREET ON A REALLY WET DAY

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LEGACY PHOTO CATALOGUE FROM 2022

Cuffe Street, a Dublin thoroughfare running from St. Stephen’s Green to Kevin Street Lower, holds a story of change and evolution mirroring the city’s own. While it may appear unassuming today, its history is interwoven with architectural shifts, urban planning decisions, and social housing initiatives.

Early Days:

First appearing on maps in 1728, Cuffe Street was named for James Cuffe. Even earlier, Herman Moll’s 1714 map shows buildings along its north side. By 1756, it was known as “Great Cuffe Street” on John Rocque’s map of Dublin. The early 1700s saw the construction of predominantly gable-fronted houses, known as “Dutch Billys.” These distinctive dwellings were later modified during the Georgian and Victorian periods, contributing to the street’s evolving architectural character.

A Changing Landscape:

The most dramatic transformation occurred in the mid-20th century. Dublin Corporation’s road widening schemes, intended to modernise the city’s infrastructure, led to the demolition of many of Cuffe Street’s historic buildings. This drastic intervention resulted in the current dual carriageway and tree-lined appearance, prioritising traffic flow over the preservation of architectural heritage.

The Lost Buildings:

Among the casualties of the road widening was 49 Cuffe Street, once home to the Bricklayers’ and Stonecutters’ Guild. Originally built as St. Peter’s Parish Savings Bank, the building was later expanded and repurposed. Despite efforts to save its façade, it was demolished in 1985. As of 2021, the remaining elements are reportedly held in storage by Dublin City Council.

Another significant loss was the Winter Garden Palace, a prominent landmark at the corner of Cuffe Street and St. Stephen’s Green. This historic pub, dating back to the 1860s, was a meeting place for Fenian groups and played a role in the 1916 Easter Rising. Compulsory purchase orders in the 1960s led to its demolition in 1975, along with surrounding residential and retail areas.

The Ardilaun Centre and the Iveagh Garden Hotel:

The site of the Winter Garden Palace and its neighbouring buildings was redeveloped by MEPC plc in the late 1970s. The resulting office complex, named the Ardilaun Centre, was designed by Costello, Murray and Beaumont and built by Sisk Group.

The Iveagh Garden Hotel now stands where the Ardilaun Centre once stood. It was built in the late 2000s by the O’Callaghan Hotel Group and opened in 2009. While initially facing some planning delays, it eventually began operation and remains a prominent feature at the eastern end of Cuffe Street.

Cuffe Street Today:

Cuffe Street today reflects the complexities of Dublin’s urban development. The road widening schemes, while intended to modernize the city, resulted in the loss of much of its historic character. The presence of social housing projects underscores the city’s efforts to address housing needs, while also contributing to the street’s less commercial atmosphere.

Though lacking the vibrancy of some neighbouring streets, Cuffe Street remains an integral part of Dublin’s urban fabric. It’s a place where the past lingers amidst the present, offering a glimpse into the city’s ongoing transformation.

SHIP STREET GATE AREA INSIDE THE WALLS OF DUBLIN CASTLE

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MUCH OF THIS STREET IS PARALLEL TO GREAT SHIP STREET

Most visitors to Dublin Castle are drawn to the grandeur of the State Apartments or the serenity of the gardens. But tucked away, near the Ship Street Gate, lies a street that offers a glimpse into a different side of this historic complex.

This street, which may or may not have an official name, is located behind the former Coach House (now the Coach House Gallery). At one end, there is a Garda facility. Much of the street runs parallel to Great Ship Street, which is outside the castle walls.

The Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) Roads Policing Unit, responsible for enforcing road traffic legislation across the Dublin area, is based at Dublin Castle. The Garda National Roads Policing Bureau (GNRPB) aims to increase road safety by reducing accidents, improving driver behaviour, and targeting criminals using the road network.

Dublin Castle also houses the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), a specialist unit that tackles drug trafficking and organised crime. This unit comprises numerous Detectives and armed officers.

In May 2023, An Garda Síochána opened a new Regional Office in Dublin Castle. This office houses various Garda units, including the Dublin Crime Response Team and the Garda Síochána Analysis Service, contributing to the safety and security of the capital.

Dublin Castle has a long history with policing in Ireland. It was once the headquarters of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, and in 1922, it was where An Garda Síochána took over policing duties.