Leeson Street
Leeson Street (/ˈliːsən/; Irish: Sráid Líosain) is a thoroughfare near central Dublin, Ireland.
Lower Leeson Street | |
| Native name | Sráid Líosain (Irish) |
|---|---|
| Namesake | Joseph Leeson, 1st Earl of Milltown |
| Length | 1.3 km (0.81 mi) |
| Width | 23 metres (75 ft) |
| Location | Dublin, Ireland |
| Postal code | D02, D04 |
| Coordinates | 53°20′00″N 6°15′16″W / 53.33333°N 6.25444°WCoordinates: 53°20′00″N 6°15′16″W / 53.33333°N 6.25444°W |
| northwest end | St. Stephen's Green (southeast corner), Earlsfort Terrace |
| southeast end | Morehampton Road |
| Other | |
| Website | ombudsman |
Location
The street is divided into two parts by the Grand Canal: Lower Leeson Street, in Dublin 2 is to the north of the canal, linking to St Stephen's Green, with Upper Leeson Street, in the Dublin 4 region, south of the canal.[1]
History
Originally known as Suesy Street, it was renamed in 1728 after the Leesons, a family of local brewers, who branched into property development and subsequently became Earls of Milltown.[1][2] In 1769 a Magdalen Asylum was established by Lady Arabella Denny in the street for Protestant women.[3]
The street is home to several prominent buildings including the main office of the Ombudsman[4] and the embassies of Portugal, Malta, Palestine and Cyprus.[citation needed] The largest building on Lower Leeson Street, along with several adjoining buildings and significant land holdings in the area, is owned by the Catholic University School.
In 1990, Caravaggio's lost masterpiece, The Taking of Christ, was recognised in the residence of the Jesuit Communication Centre on Lower Leeson Street.[5][6] Broadcaster Gerry Ryan lived and died on this street.[7]
There were formerly streetwalkers along the canal district in Dublin.[8]
Gallery
Lower Leeson Street junction with Earlsfort Terrace and St Stephen's Green
Bus lane on Lower Leeson Street
Upper Leeson Street
Upper Leeson Street
Grand Canal at Leeson Street Bridge
Iveagh House, adjacent to Lower Leeson Street
Triumphal arch erected on Leeson Street Bridge for the visit of Edward VII to Dublin in 1903
See also
References
- ^ a b Clerkin, Paul (2001). Dublin street names. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan. p. 105. ISBN 0-7171-3204-8. OCLC 48467800.
- ^ M'Cready, C. T. (1987). Dublin street names dated and explained. Blackrock, Co. Dublin: Carraig. p. 57. ISBN 1-85068-005-1. OCLC 263974843.
- ^ Kilfeather, Siobhán Marie (2005). Dublin: A Cultural History. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-19-518202-6.
- ^ Contact us, Office of the Ombudsman
- ^ Walshe, Elaine (2013–14). "A Picture Of Mystery". The Irish Letter. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ^ "The Taking of Christ, Caravaggio". National Gallery of Ireland. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ^ "Gerry Ryan found dead". Irish Examiner. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "D4 suburb complain of prostitutes". Breaking News. 23 September 2007.
External links
- TripAdvisor review on the area