Select Image To Visit The Photo Gallery: Granby Lane And Granby Place

Photographed By William Murphy

Granby Lane And Granby Place

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HOME TO GRANBY SAUSAGES

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For various reasons I have not photographed this complex of lanes and was unaware as to how significant the Granby Sausages presence is to the area.

I have been asked about the building with the murals/graffiti and to the best of my knowledge it is the Bradóg Regional Youth Service. Organization: The building houses the Bradóg Regional Youth Service (often just called Bradóg). If you look closely at the graffiti art at the very peak of the building's facade (in the brown/green tree section), it explicitly says "BRADOG".

Granby Lane and Granby Place form a tight network of thoroughfares tucked behind the bustle of the city centre. Located in Dublin 1, these lanes serve as a connector between Lower Dominick Street and Granby Row, sitting adjacent to the Dominick Street Luas stop.

While physically only a stone's throw from the busy Parnell Street and O'Connell Street, these lanes have historically existed in a world of their own—serving primarily as service access, industrial hubs, and shortcuts for locals.

A History of Grit and Reputation

For a significant portion of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, this area held a firm reputation as a location to be avoided, particularly after dark.

Urban Challenges: Like many laneways in the North Inner City, Granby Place suffered from the broader economic struggles of the area. As the grand Georgian houses of Dominick Street declined and faced social housing challenges, the back lanes often suffered from neglect.

A Place Apart: The enclosed nature of the lane, shielded from the main road's view, historically made it a hotspot for anti-social behaviour. During difficult decades for Dublin, including the 1980s and 90s, laneways like these were often frequented for drug consumption. Consequently, the area was widely considered "rough" by pedestrians, who would typically opt for the longer route via Parnell Street rather than risk the shortcut.

Regeneration: While it remains a gritty, functional urban service lane rather than a polished tourist walk, the area has benefitted from the regeneration of the North Inner City. The arrival of the Luas Cross City line nearby and the redevelopment of the Dominick Street flats have brought more lighting and footfall to the perimeter.

The Home of the Granby Burger

Despite the gritty aesthetic, the lane is home to a true Dublin culinary institution: Granby Sausages (Granby Ltd).

The Hub: The company operates its manufacturing and distribution complex directly out of 33-36 Granby Place. The sight of white distribution vans navigating the narrow brick confines of the lane is a daily occurrence.

A Local Icon: Established in 1933, Granby is a family-run business famous for the "Granby Burger" (a battered pork burger found in chippers across the capital) and their traditional sausages.

The Contrast: A distinct juxtaposition exists here. The lane presents the "rough" aesthetic of a graffiti-tagged Dublin backstreet, yet it serves as the beating heart of one of the city's most beloved comfort foods. The factory provides steady activity and surveillance in a lane that might otherwise be completely desolate.

Current Status

Today, Granby Lane and Place remain primarily functional. They are not "scenic" in the traditional sense, characterised by high brick walls, metal shutters, and the rear facades of Dominick Street buildings.

While safety has improved generally in Dublin 1, the area retains an edge. It encapsulates the "Real Dublin"—a mix of historic industry, social housing, and the lingering shadows of a difficult social history, all sitting just metres away from modern tram lines.