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Photographed By William Murphy

Granby Row And Parnell Square North

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PHOTOGRAPHED JANUARY 2026

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For anyone walking past the corner of Granby Row and Parnell Square North, the sight of No. 28 has long been a source of frustration. This imposing Georgian house, with its distinctively faceted brick façade, has stood silent and derelict, a ghostly bookend to one of Dublin’s finest terraces.

However, recent announcements from Dublin City Council signal that the silence is about to break. With the construction tendering process now launched for the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter, this historic corner is finally set for a new chapter. Furthermore, the recent unveiling of the nearby Findlater Church offers a glimpse of the restoration standard we can expect.

The Corner of Granby Row: No. 28 Parnell Square

The "derelict building" at the corner is No. 28 Parnell Square North. It is a structure of significant architectural merit, built circa 1760 as part of the terrace flanking Charlemont House (now the Hugh Lane Gallery).

Unlike its neighbours, No. 28 features a complex, brick-faceted west façade facing Granby Row. Its rounded and canted bow-fronted bays and curved windows make a quirky, distinctive contribution to Dublin’s Georgian landscape. Historically, the site has deep roots; the land originally belonged to Bartholomew Mosse (founder of the Rotunda Hospital), and the terrace was once known as Palace Row.

The Redevelopment Plan As part of the newly announced Phase 1 of the Cultural Quarter:

Essential Works: No. 28 will undergo vital structural stabilisation. This includes repairs to that unique Granby Row façade and the roof to halt further decay.

Future Use: While the adjacent No. 26 will be fully restored and opened to the public in this first phase, No. 28 is designated for "essential works" only at this stage. Its full interior restoration will follow in later phases, though its basement may house services for the new library immediately.

A Beacon of Hope: The Findlater Church Returns

Just a few doors down from the dereliction of Granby Row stands a powerful example of what patience and restoration can achieve: Abbey Presbyterian Church, affectionately known to Dubliners as Findlater’s Church.

For nearly two decades, this Gothic Revival landmark was shrouded in scaffolding, leading many locals to jokingly wonder if the metal poles were structural. The ambitious restoration project was a slow, painstaking process, but the results are finally visible. The scaffolding was removed in mid-2025, revealing the cleaned Dalkey granite and the sharp, restored spire in all its glory.

Seeing Findlater’s Church finally free of its cage serves as a perfect timely precedent for the Cultural Quarter. It proves that even the most complex, long-term heritage projects in this area can reach a successful conclusion, restoring dignity to the streetscape.

A Street of Sausages and Cinema

While Parnell Square is known for high culture, Granby Row has always had a grittier, commercial charm. For many, the street name is synonymous with the Granby Sausage Company. Established in 1933 and operating from Granby Place, they remain a culinary institution in the city centre.

Despite the area's regeneration, fans hoping for a new Granby's café or bistro as part of the Cultural Quarter may be disappointed. The company remains focused on its wholesale trade, supplying supermarkets and delis citywide. In fact, their "factory shop" at the premises has recently pulled back its public hours, now opening exclusively on Fridays from 11 am to 3 pm. It seems for now, the Granby sausage remains a treat to be cooked at home rather than part of the square's café culture.

The street’s social history is equally colourful. The corner now occupied by the Maldron Hotel has seen many lives. Until 2005, it housed the Wax Museum, but before that, it was the site of the Plaza Cinema. In the 1960s, the area was a hub of activity with the Kingsway Ballroom on Granby Lane and the Granby Bar serving locals from the 1850s right up until 2002.

The New Cultural Quarter: What to Expect

The Parnell Square Cultural Quarter is described as a "flagship civic project," and the scale is ambitious. Funded by the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and Dublin City Council, the project is led by AECOM and architects Hawkins\Brown.

Key Features of Phase 1:

A New City Library: A massive 6,100 square metre extension will be constructed to the rear of the Georgian houses (Nos. 23–28). This modern structure will fill the gap behind the Granby Row corner.

Hugh Lane Gallery Link: A direct link will connect the 1930s wing of the gallery with the new library, creating a seamless flow between art and literature.

Timeline: With tendering underway, construction is scheduled to begin in Q2 2026. The doors are anticipated to open to the public in early 2030.

The Miami Showband Memorial

A common concern regarding the redevelopment of the square’s north side is the fate of the Miami Showband Memorial, which currently sits on the pavement opposite the Garden of Remembrance.

The redevelopment plan respects this tribute. The memorial will not be removed, but rather relocated and integrated into the new design. It is set to be moved slightly to a new position within the widened, landscaped public plaza near Nos. 20–21. This ensures it remains a prominent part of the square’s public realm, surrounded by the improved paving and lighting of the new Cultural Quarter.

Looking Ahead

After years of stagnation, the north side of Parnell Square is poised for a renaissance. With Findlater's Church glistening again and the cranes soon to arrive at Granby Row, the vision for 2030 is coming into focus: a vibrant hub of learning and culture that respects the unique history—from Georgian grandeur to Friday-afternoon sausage runs—of this Dublin enclave.