The Liberties and Surrounding Area

The Liberties

John Gaynor & Co. Solicitors LLP is situated in one of the oldest parts of Dublin – The Liberties – and we have been here for over 40 years. We have seen new business come in, new shops, new people and new buildings built, but the character has remained the same. It’s a fun place to work, full of energy and John Gaynor & Co. Solictirs LLP has kept up with the trends.

If you have an appointment with John Gaynor & Co., why not take time and visit the numerous places of interest.  This area of Dublin 8, is a melting pot of different cultures and traditions.  Taste the variety of international cuisines, hear the many different languages and soak in the atmosphere in what has become a vibrant part of Dublin City and it has something to interest everyone.  We have listed some of the great local businesses and areas of interest to give you an idea of the difference between the old and the new and what makes this area such a great place to live and work.

Restaurants, Bars and Coffee Shops

Brazen Head:    (Dublin’s oldest Pub) –.  Lower Bridge Street, Merchant’s Quay, traditional music.
Arthurs Pub:    Thomas Street.  Traditional Irish pub serving Irish food and live music.
Mannings:    Thomas Street.  A traditional Irish Restaurant/Café serving breakfasts, lunch and homemade cakes and pastries and loved by all the locals and businesses alike.
Catherine’s Bakery and Café:    Meath Street.  Well established bakery
Legit:        Meath Street, serving great coffee as well as delicious breakfasts and brunch.
Noto:        corner of Thomas Street and Francis Street – coffee, croissants, sandwiches, soups.
Two Pups Coffee: – Francis Street – sandwiches, snacks
Lovin’ Catering:    Francis Street – delicious scones, soups, wraps, salads etc.
The Dublin Cookie Company:    Thomas Street, excellent coffee and cookies made on the premises.
Container Coffee:    Thomas Street. – Opposite Guinness and beside the Digital Hub.
Tasty 8:    Meath Street – winner of the Liberties New Business of the Year Award     serving interesting locally sourced food, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available.

Distilleries
Guinness Storehouse, St. James’s Gate.  Take a tour and pour your own pint in the amazing Gravity Bar with its panoramic views over Dublin
Teelings in Newmarket Square.  It’s the first new distillery to be built in the City     since the 19th century (worth a tour)/
Pearse Lyons Distillery, James’s Street.  Only just opened in the grounds of the former St. James’s Church, distilling craft Irish Whiskey.  Opened by the Pearse Lyons grandson whose grandfather is buried in the old cemetery beside the distillery.
All the above distilleries have guided tours and with tastings at the end – Do them all in one day and you will definitely need a taxi home!
Two more distilleries are going to open very soon in the area.

Churches
Christchurch Cathedral, High Street – Dublin’s oldest building and home to the famous 12th century crypt.
St. Nicholas de Myra – Francis Street.  Famous stained glass by Harry Clarke and works by John Hogan.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Patrick Street. Tallest church in Ireland and the largest. Founded in 1191.
St. Audoen’s Church, High Street.   This is is the oldest parish church in Dublin and is still used as such.  Services in Polish as well as Englsh.
St. James’s Church, James’s Street.  Established in 1707.
John’s Lane Church – Thomas Street.  Served by the Augustinian Order.

Markets
Dublin Flea Market on Newmarket Square.
Dublin Co-Op – Newmarket Square.
Liberty Market on Meath Street.
Entertainment:
Tivoli Theatre, Francis Street.  This was converted to a cinema in the late 1930s and re-named the Tivoli Cinema. In 1964 it became a nightclub and shop and finally in 1987 it became the Tivoli Theatre again– Francis Street, Dublin 8, becoming a theatre and live music venue.
“District 8) – Part of the Tivoli Theatre and one of the best places to catch big-name house     and techno DJs in Ireland.     Originally a theatre, today the revamped space more closely     resembles a former warehouse
Vicar Street – Music venue/Comedy/Live music/bar

Hotels

Jury’s Inn, Christchurch, Dublin 8, situate right opposite Christchurch Cathedral.
Radisson Blue on Golden Lane, Dublin 8.

Universities and Colleges

NCAD (National College of Art and Design) Thomas Street, Dublin 8, (formerly Powers Distillery)
BIMM    Rock College, Francis Street, Dublin 8.  Recording Studios and Music Teaching College.             Tours available.

The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8 – an amazing building built in the 17th Century and initially built for retired soldiers – a must see and housing IMMA – Irish Museum of Modern Art

The Digital Hub, opposite Guinness, Thomas Street, Dublin 8.  Here you will find numerous technology media and internet companies all in one space.

Antiques: Francis Street, Dublin 8.  Here you will find a myriad of antique shops and is a must to    visit and where you might just find a bargain!

Library:  Marsh’s Library, St. Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8 – Founded in the 18th century and still in use today.  A little weird but wonderful.  Full of cages to read rare and fascinating books housed in original oak bookcases – bring a warm jacket – its cold in there!

Gulliver’s Travels Frames, 58 Golden Lane, Dublin 8 – Jonathan Swift and Gulliver’s Travels.  Here you will find 8 pictorial frames set in brickwork showing scenes from part 1 of his book.

Beauty:

David McCarthy Hair Salon, Francis Street, Dublin 8.
Joanne’s Hair & Beauty Salon, Thomas Street, Dublin 8.
The Glamour Pit, Meath Street, Dublin 8. Beauty treatments and Nails.
Image & Ink, Thomas Street, Dublin 8.  Barbers, Tattoo Studio + Hot Towel Shaves.

Traders:  Perhaps most famous of all are the traders and their stalls – Families for generations have shouted out their wares both on Thomas Street and Meath Street and here you will find the best of bargains and banter.

Flower stall – John Gaynor & Co. Solicitors LLP are very lucky as our windows look out on a very famous and colourful flower stall at the corner of Meath Street and Thomas Street and is run by Kathleen Farrell, who was nominated for the Liberties Awards Established Business of Year.

So an appointment with John Gaynor & Co. Solicitors LLP can turn out to be a really fun and interesting day!

Daphne Gaynor
Head Legal Administrator
John Gaynor & Co. Solicitors LLP
42-46 Thomas Street
Dublin 8