Patrick Street, Dublin

Patrick Street is a street in the medieval area of Dublin, Ireland.

Location
Patrick Street runs from Nicholas Street at the north to New Street at the south. It runs parallel to Bride Street.

History


Originally recorded as St Patrick's Street from 1285, the thoroughfare was named for St Patrick's Church, which was later replaced with St Patrick's Cathedral.

In 1803, in the run-up to Robert Emmet's rebellion, the victims of a powerful explosion at his ammunition depot in Patrick Street were brought to Dr Steevens' Hospital. They included Darby Byrne and one of the Keenans, who were blown up at the time of the explosion and died in the hospital afterwards.

In the mid-20th century, the junction of Patrick Street, New Street, Kevin Street and Dean Street was referred to as "the Four Corners of Hell", in reference to four notorious pubs on each corner in this area of The Liberties. When the pubs closed the influx of people led to rowdy behaviour and street fights. The four pubs, now all demolished, were Kenny's, Quinn's, O'Beirne's and Lowe's.

Road widening
The road widening of Patrick Street, Nicholas Street, and High Street has been viewed as resulting in this medieval area of Dublin becoming fragmented and difficult to navigate as a pedestrian.