The Little Museum is proud to present three more walks led by Arran Henderson, our favourite guide to the architectural heritage of Dublin.
If you want to see Dublin through completely fresh eyes, we guarantee that you will enjoy this series.
Arran is a local historian who is passionate about Dublin’s built heritage. An urbane and amusing guide, he has worked with the Irish Georgian Society, Irish Architecture Foundation and many other cultural organisations for many years, helping guests to “read” and better understand historic architecture, and making both architecture and ideas accessible, with a deft and amicable touch.
Crucially, Arran’s tours also use buildings to illuminate wider themes in Irish and Dublin history, hence the idea of using architecture to de-code our history and our city.
We are hosting three tours with Arran this autumn. Each tour takes place just once, and will run on a Saturday each month.
Season tickets for the series cost €80 and there are just 29 tickets available.
Tour groups meet at 11.15am and depart at 11.30am sharp. Tours last from 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours.
All tours include the supply of an audio kit for perfect sound (a “whisper set”) for each guest. This equipment is included in the price of the tour.
Here’s what you can expect to see this autumn:
Saturday 7th September: Thomas Street, James Street and around
Meeting and starting at one of our favourite places in Dublin – the park beside the ancient, medieval Saint Audoen’s Church – we will take you on a stroll along Thomas Street and James Street, to savour dozens of interesting historical details, including a former debtors’ prison, the 18th century home of Quaker banker, the beautiful Georgian era church of Saint Catherine’s, and an incredible brand-new, award-winning park.
On our return leg, we leave the Thomas Street – James Street line to wander through the historic Guinness Quarter, the largest concentration of 18th and 19th century industrial heritage in Dublin, before our last leg on Francis Street outside the Iveagh markets.
Meeting point: The park beside the ancient, medieval Saint Audoen’s Church of Ireland Church (not at the larger RC Saint Audoen’s next door please)
End point: Outside the Iveagh Markets on Francis Street.
Saturday 12th October: St. Patrick’s Park to Blackpitts, Newmarket, & the Coombe: Markets, Mills & Breweries
Exploring this richly-layered area of the Liberties lying to the West of Clanbrasil St. and south of Thomas St and the Coombe.
We will meet you in the park out outside Saint Patrick’s Cathedral (at the Fountain) then guide you around the history of Blackpitts, Newmarket, Meath Street and the Coombe.
During our walk, we’ll explore the rich industrial heritage of this part of the Liberties, and learn about the 18th century tanning, distilling, brewing and textiles, including how ancient water-powered mills were used by medieval monks, and how they were powered by rivers now flowing underground, unseen beneath our feet.
Learn also about philanthropic housing, and historic 1600s architecture, including an historic Guild Hall and an old “Dutch Billy” Dower House.
Meeting point: In the park out outside Saint Patrick’s Cathedral (at the Fountain in the centre of the park, please)
End point: We will finish our tour at the former, historic Meath Hospital site, by Meath Street and the Coombe.
Saturday 2nd November: Medieval Walls: a walk around Dublin’s old City Walls
In our final expedition, we walk around the old city of Dublin’s Medieval walls, with a discussion of the layered and violent history they witnessed, including war, invasions, fire, plaque and bloody rebellions.
We will walk around the entire route of the walls, whether they are visible above ground or not, and will use maps and other clues to establish the lien of the walls in the modern city, as well as the many watchtowers and medieval gates that were once part of the city’s defensive stone walls.
A terrific way to learn about medieval Dublin, and the origins of our city.
Meeting point: Outside of Gutter Books, Essex St/Cow Lane (Temple Bar west)
End point: Outside of Gutter Books, Essex St/Cow Lane (Temple Bar west)
All tours are presented and led by Arran Henderson of Dublin Decoded Tours, in partnership with the Little Museum of Dublin.