The smell of horses hangs in the air. A faint echo of centuries past. Welcome to Smithfield.
Smithfield Dublin. A place once bustling with livestock. Now a blend of old and new. It’s a captivating mix. This square was once an open market. It was the heart of Oxmantown. A vibrant hub of commerce. Imagine the sounds of bartering. The lowing of cattle. The whinnying of horses.
In the mid-17th century Smithfield took its current form. It remained primarily a market and commercial area. One notable resident was Thomas Taylour. The first Earl of Bective. He built a grand house here in 1738. He later moved to a more fashionable address though. Number 17 Rutland Square.
Until the early 21st century Smithfield was lined with farm yards. Livestock filled the square. In 1964 Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor visited. Burton was filming here. The movie was an adaptation of John le Carré’s novel The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. Smithfield stood in for Checkpoint Charlie.
The area underwent a significant transformation. A project called HARP. Historic Area Rejuvenation Plan. Over 400,000 cobblestones were painstakingly cleaned and relaid. Contemporary architecture now flanks the square. Twelve 26.5-meter gas lighting masts stand tall. Their flames are rarely lit. The shades change colour though. They reflect cultural events. A vivid green for St Patrick’s Day. Rainbow colours for the GAZE International LGBT Film Festival.
Smithfield has a rich equine heritage. Horse fairs have taken place for hundreds of years. They still happen today. The first Sunday of each month. The smell of horses. The sounds of hooves. It’s a tangible link to Smithfield’s past.
The square once hosted concerts. They stopped due to complaints from residents. The area hasn’t developed as initially anticipated. It’s a convenient route though. For local residents and professionals. Many legal services are nearby. The Four Courts are just a short distance away.
Smithfield is more than just a square. It’s a neighbourhood. The Old Jameson Distillery chimney stands tall. Its observation deck reopened in 2018. Reaching the top involves 244 steps. The Light House Cinema reopened in 2008. The Cobblestone pub has hosted traditional music for over thirty years. The Dublin District Children Court is also located here. It handles cases involving defendants under 18.
Smithfield is a living testament. To Dublin’s history. Its evolution. Its enduring spirit. It is a place of contrasts. Old and new. Quiet and bustling. This is Smithfield. And this is its story.