Leeson Street (/ˈlsən/; Irish: Sráid Líosain) is a thoroughfare near central Dublin, Ireland.

Leeson Street
Lower Leeson Street
Leeson Street is located in Central Dublin
Leeson Street
Native nameSráid Líosain (Irish)
NamesakeJoseph Leeson, 1st Earl of Milltown
Length1.3 km (0.81 mi)
Width23 metres (75 ft)
LocationDublin, Ireland
Postal codeD02, D04
Coordinates53°20′00″N 6°15′16″W / 53.33333°N 6.25444°W / 53.33333; -6.25444
northwest endSt. Stephen's Green (southeast corner), Earlsfort Terrace
southeast endMorehampton Road
Other
Websiteombudsman.ie

Location

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The street is divided into two parts by the Grand Canal: Lower Leeson Street, in Dublin 2 is to the north of the canal, linking to St Stephen's Green, with Upper Leeson Street, in the Dublin 4 region, south of the canal.[1]

History

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Originally known as Suesy Street, it was renamed in 1728 after the Leesons, a family of local brewers, who branched into property development and subsequently became Earls of Milltown.[1][2] In 1769 a Magdalen Asylum was established by Lady Arabella Denny in the street for Protestant women.[3]

The street is home to several prominent buildings including the main office of the Ombudsman[4] and the embassies of Portugal, Malta, Palestine and Cyprus.[citation needed] The largest building on Lower Leeson Street, along with several adjoining buildings and significant land holdings in the area, is owned by the Catholic University School.

In 1990, Caravaggio's lost masterpiece, The Taking of Christ, was recognised in the residence of the Jesuit Communication Centre on Lower Leeson Street.[5][6] Broadcaster Gerry Ryan lived and died on this street.[7]

There were formerly streetwalkers along the canal district in Dublin.[8]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Clerkin, Paul (2001). Dublin street names. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan. p. 105. ISBN 0-7171-3204-8. OCLC 48467800.
  2. ^ M'Cready, C. T. (1987). Dublin street names dated and explained. Blackrock, Co. Dublin: Carraig. p. 57. ISBN 1-85068-005-1. OCLC 263974843.
  3. ^ Kilfeather, Siobhán Marie (2005). Dublin: A Cultural History. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-19-518202-6.
  4. ^ Contact us, Office of the Ombudsman
  5. ^ Walshe, Elaine (2013–14). "A Picture Of Mystery". The Irish Letter. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  6. ^ "The Taking of Christ, Caravaggio". National Gallery of Ireland. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  7. ^ "Gerry Ryan found dead". Irish Examiner. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  8. ^ "D4 suburb complain of prostitutes". Breaking News. 23 September 2007.
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