Sweeney’s Lane/Terrace & Mill Street
Sweeney’s Terrace and Mill Street in Dublin holds a hidden piece of the city’s history—the River Poddle. This small but historically significant river once flowed openly through many parts of Dublin, playing a key role in the area’s industrial past. Though largely forgotten and buried underground today, the Poddle still briefly emerges near Sweeney’s Terrace, at the southern corner of Mill Street, offering a rare glimpse into Dublin’s past.
In the 1970s, William Talbot, a local resident and descendant of Huguenot weavers, pointed out that this stretch of the Poddle was used for tanning hides, a vital part of Dublin’s industry. Talbot’s family had long been connected to the area, and he even preserved wood from old Huguenot tanning tanks, evidence of the river’s historical importance. Despite being hidden from view for most of its course, the Poddle’s waters once powered mills and supported various trades, including the nearby ‘Double Mill,’ which produced both oil and flour.
Sweeney’s Lane, adjacent to Sweeney’s Terrace, also witnessed the Poddle’s impact. The lane and terrace were part of a thriving industrial district that drew on the Poddle’s flow. Over the years, the river served as a playground for local children and was even the site of a tragic drowning about 20 years ago. Although its surface-level presence has diminished, the Poddle continues to flow beneath the streets, silently connecting Dublin’s past with its present.
In recent years, Sister Ann Dominica, a Dominican nun fascinated by Dublin’s waterways, has led tours that trace the Poddle’s path, starting at Mount Argus and ending at Warrenmount, near Sweeney’s Terrace. Her efforts have helped renew interest in the river and its significance. Unfortunately, modern developments have obscured much of the Poddle’s course. For instance, a mill pond near Sweeney’s Terrace was cemented over, erasing yet another visible reminder of the river’s once-vital presence.
Despite these changes, the Poddle remains an integral part of Dublin’s heritage. From Sweeney’s Terrace to Sweeney’s Lane, the river’s history continues to shape the character of the Liberties, even as it flows unseen beneath the city’s modern streets.
Association with Poddle
The Poddle, visible until recently between Sweeney’s Terrace and the Warrenmount Convent Mill Pond. A student accommodation block on Mill Street was ordered to keep some of the Poddle visible to the public. The Old mill stone is visible on display.
Photo Gallery
What the Newspapers Say
- In 1973, a book about Dublin’s Liberties area was being compiled, featuring contributions from historians, locals, and experts. The book, with 150 illustrations, covers various aspects of the Liberties, such as Viking Dublin and the city’s walls. Notably, it explores the River Poddle, which once flowed near Sweeney’s Terrace and down Sweeney’s Lane. This area, rich in industrial history, included the historic ‘Double Mill’ fed by the Poddle. A photograph from 1890 shows the last open stretch of the Poddle near St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The book offers insights into Dutch Billies and the Liberties’ past.
- The River Poddle, long thought to be hidden underground, still flows above ground near Sweeney’s Terrace, at the southern corner of Mill Street in Dublin. This 30-yard stretch is part of the heart of Old Dublin, where William Talbot, a descendant of Huguenot weavers, recalls the river being used for tanning. He even has wood from old Huguenot tanning tanks. The article suggests that the Poddle should be recognised as a historic site in Dublin, highlighting its significance to the Liberties and its unexpected visibility today.
- The Poddle millrace at 6 Sweeney Terrace, highlighted as a new discovery, has actually been known to locals for generations. It served as a playground and fishing spot, and a man allegedly drowned there 20 years ago. The millrace connects the Dodder to the Poddle, on the site of a historic mill built by St. Thomas’s monks. Despite its poor condition, the Poddle’s history, traced by Sister Ann Dominica FitzGerald, remains significant. There’s also a rumour of a trapdoor in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre revealing the Poddle before it joins the Liffey.
- This article highlights Sister Ann Dominica, a Dominican nun, leading a tour along Dublin’s hidden river, the Poddle, as part of the Dublin Arts Festival. The tour begins at Mount Argus and ends at Warrenmount near Sweeney’s Terrace, where the Poddle briefly surfaces. Unfortunately, a mill pond at the site has been cemented over. Sister Ann became interested in the Poddle while researching the Liffey. The tour offers a rare view of the river, including glimpses at Harold’s Cross and the underground Poddle Shaft. She plans to repeat the tour the following Sunday.
- The Great Fire of Dublin on June 22, 1875, caused significant destruction, particularly around Mill Street, Sweeneys Terrace, and Poddle. Whiskey from the burning bonded stores flowed into the streets, with onlookers using anything, even boots, to scoop it up. The fire spread through Cork Street, Chamber Street, and Ardee Street, reaching Mill Street, where attempts were made to contain the flaming liquid. Poddle River, running beneath Ardee Street, was ignited, causing explosions. Despite the efforts of the fire brigade and police, much of the area, including Sweeneys Lane, suffered heavy damage, and several lives were lost due to alcohol consumption.
- Mill Street, located in the Liberties of Dublin, is steeped in history, tracing its origins to the Abbey of St. Thomas and the mills on the Poddle River. First mentioned in 1711 in the will of Isaac Vaneau, a Huguenot whose descendants remained active as tanners, Mill Street has been a hub of industry for over a century. By 1830, it hosted several tanners and a “fancy weaver,” growing to include five tanners and a parchment maker by 1880. Today, the street is notable for its contrasting scents, with the sweet aroma of a nearby factory mingling with the pungent smell of O’Keefe’s.
- The Liberties of Dublin have long been celebrated for their rich history, and a new book aims to capture this legacy. Featuring 150 illustrations and contributions from experts and residents alike, the book explores various aspects of the area. Of particular interest is Ann Dominica Fitzgerald’s chapter, “Down the Old Poddle,” which delves into the hidden river that once flowed openly through Sweeney’s Lane and Mill Street. The Poddle, essential to the area’s industry, fed the historic Double Mill of St. Thomas’ Abbey. This work highlights both the history and enduring presence of the Liberties in Dublin’s cultural memory.
