“Georgian West” a history & architecture walking tour of West-central Dublin, this Wednesday afternoon, 19th August.  2.10pm, with Arran Henderson from Dublin Decoded tours.  See below for tour content, and how to join in.

Now in the week ahead we turn our eyes West, to the other end of the city centre, as Dublin Decoded run the second of two editions this summer of the celebrated Georgian West tour.  On this lovely, traditionally very sociable Dublin walk we cover a lot of history, story, detail and anecdote, including hidden rivers and suspicious fires, and how the area around Dublin castle evolved, from a Viking stockade to a mighty Anglo-Norman fortress and then into the current late-Renaissance, early neo-classical edifice of the early modern period we know today.  But there’s plenty more than that… and everyone is welcome.  See more below.

During our walk we’ll be focusing especially on the Georgian era, as we explore works by Sir William Robertson; by Thomas Burgh; by Thomas Ivory; by Thomas Colley, by James Gandon and others.  We’ll look at how “the Castle” itself became the very first part of Dublin to receive a neo-classical treatment in architecture, (and why) and discuss the hugely powerful Wide Streets Committee.   Naturally we visit and treat in depth a number of outstanding individual buildings, including the Chapel Royal (by Francis Johnston) the City Hall  (formerly the Royal Exchange); and the beautiful Newcommen Bank.  An exterior view and appreciation of James Gandon’s sublime Four Courts also usually forms part of the tour, but just since yesterday, we’re able to confirm some exciting news we’ve received kind permission to visit the rarely-seen interiors of Saint Werburgh’s church, one of the least altered, most intact Georgian churches, and indeed one of most perfect 18th century spaces in Dublin.

Details how to meet and how to book onto the Georgian West Tour this Wednesday are at the foot of this page.  We look forward to welcoming some of you there.  Please forward on details by the way, to any friends with a love of history and architecture.   You can also do so using the social media sharing buttons. See more below for how to book onto the Georgian West Tour.

Time and meeting place details for July 29th Georgian West tour are: Meet at 2.10pm please on the stone steps of outside in front of 58, South William Street, Dublin 2 (This is also the HQ of the Irish Georgian Society) Meeting at 2.10pm this Wednesday afternoon, 29th July.  Please present tickets on arrival,  Walk departs at 2.15.  This however is not an IGS event, so tickets should be booked please on this separate link below here. ( Fee €18.30 p/p.  This is inclusive all booking fees).

You may be able to turn up on the day (and you would be very welcome) but the tours can occasionally sell out, especially out in summer months,  so advanced booking is generally recommended.

This particular tour forms one of 4 Georgian themed walks,  SE, SW, NE, NW.   If you’re also interested in the other walks in the series, which will be available in furture to book as private events and private customs tours,  please see here.

Thank you for reading.  And please help spread the word.