Architectural Dublin / 18th Century / Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares

Architects Various
Interior Access Selected Houses Only

The above illustration shows a section of the south terrace of Merrion Square. This design is typical of the georgian houses of Dublin and in particular the houses of the Fitzwilliam Estate covering Fitzwilliam Street and Square, Mount Street Upper and Merrion Square. The external visual integrity and uniformity of the georgian city masks a wealth of variety and decoration that adorns the interiors of these buildings. Many interiors contain magnificent ceiling plasterwork, ornate fireplaces and staircases.

Fitzwilliam Street once the longest expanse of intact Georgian architecture anywhere in the world was destroyed in the 1970s when the ESB a supposedly responsible semi-state body wantonly demolished twelve of the houses. The Georgian vista that existed till then consisted of almost a mile of continuous houses passing through two squares. Between the two squares, the ESB removed almost the whole left hand side of Fitzwilliam Street to build their headquarters, a very poor example of modern architecture. Since then they have tried to redeem themselves by restoring one house that they failed to demolish to a facsimile reproduction of life in the 18th century. This is scandalous when you appreciate what they destroyed. It only further displays their disregard for georgian architecture in that they can assume that by restoring one single building to a theme park attraction they can apologise for the atrocity that they committed on the city of Dublin.