Golden Lane, Dublin

Golden Lane (Irish: Lána an Óir)^[1] is a street on the Southside of Dublin city. It runs from Bride Street in the west to Whitefriar Street and Chancery Lane in the east. It is one of the oldest streets in Dublin outside of the city gates and walls and dates from at least 1466.

It was originally named Cross Lane, and is shown as such on John Speed's map of Dublin of 1610. This changed around the time the Goldsmith's Guild moved to Goldsmith's Hall at 22 Golden Lane in 1812 however the Golden Heart pub was also located on the street in the 18th century as well as a number of other goldsmiths. From 1709 to 1812 Goldsmith's Hall was located on nearby Werburgh Street.^[2]

As of 2023, none of the original pre-20th century buildings remain on the street above ground level.^{[citation needed]}

History

Church of St Michael le Pole

The street was the site of the Church of St Michael le Pole ("St Michael of the pool") at the time Norse invaders arrived in the 9th and 10th centuries.^[3][4][5] The building was deconsecrated in 1682 following the uniting of the parishes of St Michael Le Pole, St Stephen and St Bride, and in 1706 it became a school.^[6] The round tower of the church lasted for almost 700 years until It was damaged in a storm in 1775 and was taken down.^[7]

Early Scandinavian Dublin

The street was likely occupied in Viking times, as it is near the Dubh Linn, the black pool which gave Dublin its name. It was also at one of the highest points in the city near Dublin Castle and hence would have been a natural defensive position. Various Viking burials and artefacts have been found near the original street line.^[8]

Post-1700

In the 18th century, the street was mainly residential, containing the houses of educated and professional persons and merchants from the city proper.^{[citation needed]} A gatehouse referred to as Whitefriars gatehouse is detailed on the street in John Roque's 1756 map of Dublin.^[9] In 1790, the architect Francis Sandys designed a fountain on the street to match other fountains which he designed for James Street and Merrion Street which are still in existence.^[10]

By 1862, the street was dominated by cobblers as well as some of the residual businesses related to the gold trade.^[11] By the early 20th century, the street, along with much of the inner city, was in terminal decline with much of the street recorded as tenements in the 1901 census.^[12] The last of the original Georgian and pre-Georgian houses were demolished in the 1980s.^{[citation needed]}

Notable residents

• John Field - composer and musician^[13]
• Lily Kempson
• Fielding Ould - medical practitioner
• Laetitia Pilkington^[14]

See also

• St. Bride's Church, Dublin
• Dublin Assay Office

References

External links

North of River Liffey
(Northside)South of River Liffey
(Southside)