03.03.16
A new walking tour of The Liberties brings you through the historic development of the area. Water was the single greatest contributing factor to the commercial success of Thomas and James’ Street throughout the ages. During the Medieval period, St. Thomas’ Abbey rerouted streams of water from entering Dublin city in order to power mills and industry on the outskirts of the city.
Industry continues to flourish in the area during the 17th and 18th centuries with breweries, distilleries and tanneries all taking advantage of the plentiful water supply for their manufacturing purposes. The construction of the City Basin and Grand Canal Basin further enhanced the area’s reputation as the most significant industrial area in the city by providing a more reliable means of transporting goods from the city to the rest of the country.
Continue the fascinating story of the development of these streets and the surrounding Liberties area. This guide, compiled by Conservation Office, City Architects Division, takes you past historic sites and key landmarks on the modern Thomas and James’ Street to reveal the fascinating story of water and the industries it powered in Dublin 8. Download the walking map and guide here.
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