Cork Street
Cork Street is a significant Dublin road that extends from The Coombe to Donore Avenue. This street, part of the ancient highway “An Slighe Dála,” has been integral to Dublin’s development, evolving from a bustling industrial center to a predominantly residential area. Named after the first Earl of Cork, Cork Street was once a vital artery linking Dublin to the west of Ireland. Historically, it was a hub for the wool and silk weaving industries. Despite government efforts in the 1700s to monopolise wool production in England, Cork Street’s textile industry saw a brief revival in the late 18th century, with support from the Royal Dublin Society for silk spinning and poplin manufacturing.
One notable structure was the Tenter House, established in 1815 by Thomas Pleasants to provide weavers with protection from the elements. This building, equipped with central heating, played a crucial role in supporting Dublin’s weaving community.
Cork Street also housed the Cork Street Fever Hospital, inaugurated in 1804 to combat typhus epidemics. The hospital was expanded in 1817-1819 and later became Brú Chaoimhín, a nursing home, before its closure in 2011. Across the street, the James Weir Home for Nurses, built in 1903, provided accommodation for healthcare workers.
The mid-20th century saw significant changes for Cork Street. Plans to widen the road into a dual carriageway led to periods of neglect and decay. The extensive roadworks, completed towards the end of the century, left their mark on the area’s character, but recent years have seen a resurgence of development and restoration, time will tell what effect it will have on the area.
Today, Cork Street is a mix of residential and commercial properties, reflecting its transformation over the past decades. The street’s historical significance is preserved in its buildings and landmarks, while ongoing redevelopment efforts continue to shape its future.
Association with Poddle
The Poddle (Common Stream) runs to the rear of the buildings on the northern side of the street. The City Watercourse crossed Cork Street near the Old Ice Rink before it enters the back of the pipes to the Basin. The Abbey Stream crosses Cork Street twice, first near the entrance of Emerald Square as it comes from the Coombe Hospital and then again as the intersection of Ardee Street as is flows towards Sweeney’s Terrace. There is no sign of the river itself on Cork street as it has a long time been culverted.
What the Newspapers Say
- A devastating fire occurred in Dublin, particularly impacting the area around Cork Street and the Poddle River. The blaze caused extensive damage, including the destruction of bonded stores containing 5,000 hogsheads of whiskey. Flames reached nearby streets like Chamber Street and Mill Street, causing havoc as burning whiskey flowed through the area. Many citizens, driven by desperation, scooped up the flowing liquor, leading to multiple hospitalisations and fatalities. The fire exposed parts of the Poddle River, causing explosions as alcohol ignited. Despite the best efforts of the fire brigade, the damage was immense, but insurance covered much of the loss.
- A major public works scheme in Dublin, partly funded by a £45,000 government grant, aimed to alleviate unemployment while addressing infrastructure needs. Key projects included diverting the Poddle River to prevent water from entering sewers, especially near William Clarke and Son’s new tobacco factory and planned housing. This diversion would reduce pumping costs and eliminate stagnant water along Patrick Street. Additionally, a watercourse at Cork Street and Vauxhall was converted into a sewer to prevent flooding. Other initiatives involved improving drainage, roadworks, and canal maintenance, ultimately benefiting housing developments and reducing flood risks across the city.
- A 1925 relief scheme funded by a £45,000 grant targeted Dublin’s infrastructure, addressing unemployment and essential public works. Key projects included diverting the Poddle River and constructing a culvert at Clarke’s Factory, costing £2,000 and £2,600, respectively, to improve drainage and prevent water from entering sewers. Additionally, a £2,000 sewer was planned for Cork Street and Vauxhall to mitigate flooding. Other proposals included waterworks, road construction, and drainage enhancements, like the Crumlin Tunnel and Tolka Valley sewer, aimed at addressing Dublin’s growing needs amidst expanding housing developments. These efforts aimed to boost employment and city infrastructure simultaneously.
- On January 6, 1839, a devastating gale, known as “The Night of the Big Wind,” swept across Ireland, causing widespread destruction. In Dublin, the storm toppled chimneys, leading to fatalities, including a mother and child on New Row near the Poddle, and another woman on Cork Street. The gale also destroyed homes, churches, and trees across the city, with extensive damage reported throughout the country. Fires, flooding, and collapsing buildings added to the chaos, leaving a lasting impact on the city’s infrastructure and memory. Despite the devastation, miraculous escapes were reported, highlighting both tragedy and resilience.
- In the 1840s, Dublin’s Dolphin’s Barn Lane, now near Cork Street, was home to several tanners whose work heavily relied on the Poddle River. The tanners, including James O’Neill and Patrick Ledwidge, had their premises side by side. Their use of the Poddle for their operations led to disputes with the city, as Dublin depended on the river for its water supply. This area reflects the longstanding continuity of trades in Dublin and highlights the city’s evolving economic geography, moving from traditional industries to a more diversified economy over time.
- The slender factory chimney on Cork Street, behind the Court Furniture Company, was originally part of a tannery owned by J. and T. Ord, later becoming a dye-works for Eustace Brothers. During renovations, deep vats and ox-skulls from the tannery era were discovered. The site is significant for its connection to the River Poddle, which flows underground here, though not on early maps by Parke Neville. Father M. V. Ronan’s map, however, shows the Poddle branch, Commons Water, linking back to the Poddle at Ardee Street. The site also housed bunkhouses for cattle drivers from Wexford.
