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Local Shops We Love

Local Shops We Love

  Posted by Hannah Gumbrielle in: design, dublin, handmade, independent
We've been in business over ten years, and we know how much of a difference it makes to shop local and support independent businesses around us, especially in January after the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Here are just a few we're lucky to have local to us and are always pleased to see doing well! 

Located in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Article stock contemporary homewares and gifts by Irish designers, as well as all the beautiful stationary you could ever long for. We find it fascinating that Article is located in Lord Powerscourt's former dressing room with its spectacular original plasterwork ceiling dating from 1780 too!

Just around the corner in the Westbury Mall is Stable, an independent brand showcasing the best in Irish textiles and clothing. They are particularly passionate about wool and tweed and work closely with Irish knitters, weavers and craft makers to produce high-quality textiles. Their gorgeous shop is a great place to explore a variety of scarves and accessories to wear and for the home, in different designs, patterns, shapes and sizes.

Designist focus on products being beautiful, useful and affordable. A design led gift and homeware store, we love just how much they collaborate with designers and crafts people, lots of which are Dublin based. They also have quite the collection of of brilliant greeting cards from local artists and designers.


Previously our neighbours just around the corner, Hen’s Teeth have since moved to a bigger and swankier store and studio in Blackpitts, Dublin 8. This very cool shop sells prints, brooks and ceramics, and hosts some great workshops and markets featuring other local makers and artists. Their new set up also has a diner serving some great bites to eat and fab coffee. Great vibes in here.

Located in Temple Bar, Scout is a gorgeous lifestyle shop with selections of homeware, knitwear, accessories and top-notch hand picked vintage finds. Those well versed in the Dublin fashion scene will remember the owner Wendy Crawford from from the fab Bow, the shop she ran on a co-op basis in the Powerscourt Centre with Eilis Boyle and Margaret O’Rourke.  

Just up the road from us is Fresh Cuts, a sustainable clothing shop using clean and simple designs. We love that all their labelling, printing and finishing is done right here in Dublin too. Big ups for ethical fashion!


Right on Essex Street in Temple Bar, Indigo and Cloth are a modern and minimalist boutique stocking the best in both Irish and international independent menswear. They also host a Brewbar in tandem with local coffee and tea experts Clement and Pekoe. 


We love seeing the bright and cheery vivid pink shopfront of Om Diva each morning. This boutique sells vintage clothing, jewellery and homewares, as well as contemporary pieces by local artists. We love the diversity and creativity here from emerging Irish talent. They also host workshops and stock beautiful pieces by two Dublin makers This Jewellery, one of which we share a studio with!

And of course our neighbours, Industry & Co, who specialise in Irish and International design orientated gifts, lighting, and homewares. They also host a fab in store cafe and deli with great coffee.

Local Shops We Love

Local Shops We Love

  Posted by Hannah Gumbrielle in: design, dublin, handmade, independent
We've been in business over ten years, and we know how much of a difference it makes to shop local and support independent businesses around us, especially in January after the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Here are just a few we're lucky to have local to us and are always pleased to see doing well! 

Located in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Article stock contemporary homewares and gifts by Irish designers, as well as all the beautiful stationary you could ever long for. We find it fascinating that Article is located in Lord Powerscourt's former dressing room with its spectacular original plasterwork ceiling dating from 1780 too!

Just around the corner in the Westbury Mall is Stable, an independent brand showcasing the best in Irish textiles and clothing. They are particularly passionate about wool and tweed and work closely with Irish knitters, weavers and craft makers to produce high-quality textiles. Their gorgeous shop is a great place to explore a variety of scarves and accessories to wear and for the home, in different designs, patterns, shapes and sizes.

Designist focus on products being beautiful, useful and affordable. A design led gift and homeware store, we love just how much they collaborate with designers and crafts people, lots of which are Dublin based. They also have quite the collection of of brilliant greeting cards from local artists and designers.


Previously our neighbours just around the corner, Hen’s Teeth have since moved to a bigger and swankier store and studio in Blackpitts, Dublin 8. This very cool shop sells prints, brooks and ceramics, and hosts some great workshops and markets featuring other local makers and artists. Their new set up also has a diner serving some great bites to eat and fab coffee. Great vibes in here.

Located in Temple Bar, Scout is a gorgeous lifestyle shop with selections of homeware, knitwear, accessories and top-notch hand picked vintage finds. Those well versed in the Dublin fashion scene will remember the owner Wendy Crawford from from the fab Bow, the shop she ran on a co-op basis in the Powerscourt Centre with Eilis Boyle and Margaret O’Rourke.  

Just up the road from us is Fresh Cuts, a sustainable clothing shop using clean and simple designs. We love that all their labelling, printing and finishing is done right here in Dublin too. Big ups for ethical fashion!


Right on Essex Street in Temple Bar, Indigo and Cloth are a modern and minimalist boutique stocking the best in both Irish and international independent menswear. They also host a Brewbar in tandem with local coffee and tea experts Clement and Pekoe. 


We love seeing the bright and cheery vivid pink shopfront of Om Diva each morning. This boutique sells vintage clothing, jewellery and homewares, as well as contemporary pieces by local artists. We love the diversity and creativity here from emerging Irish talent. They also host workshops and stock beautiful pieces by two Dublin makers This Jewellery, one of which we share a studio with!

And of course our neighbours, Industry & Co, who specialise in Irish and International design orientated gifts, lighting, and homewares. They also host a fab in store cafe and deli with great coffee.

A haunted dwelling on Aungier Street

A haunted dwelling on Aungier Street

  Posted by Clare Grennan in: Aungier Street, Dublin, Haunted Dublin, Medieval Dublin

Our ghostly tale takes place on one of Dublin’s oldest streets, in one of the great houses which date back to the 17th century. The much over-looked, modern day Aungier street with its assortment of cafes, shops, bars and offices disguises a rich medieval past, hidden beneath contemporary shop fronts and facades. Conservation works are quietly taking place above ground floor units, restoring and protecting these great houses. 9/9a Aungier street, which houses a jewellers and estate agent on its ground floor is of immeasurable importance, being Dublin’s oldest residential building.

Concealed behind an inconspicuous blue door, a rickety staircase leads to the upper levels, where the layers of time are slowly being stripped back to reveal the very bones of this magnificent house. Faded wallpaper of various designs, one pasted over another, floor markings from past partitions & tiny nail holes in the walls from where pictures hung, speak of the former residents of this 350 year old atmospheric building. It was while researching the past occupants, that I came across a tale of haunted happenings and strange disturbances in an Aungier street mansion from the year 1853.

Two medical students by the names of Tom and Richard took up abode in the untenanted 9/9a Aungier street* which served as the perfect residence while completing their studies. It was not long before both began experiencing uneasy nights and disturbed sleep in the scantily furnished residence. Every second night, Richard awoke from frightening visions of an abominable figure which would move from the window towards the foot of his bed. Attempts to dispel these visions by way of a tonic before nightfall proved unsuccessful, and it was not long before Richard discovered Tom was experiencing equally uneasy nights.

One night, for a wonder, I was sleeping soundly, when I was roused by a step on the lobby outside my room, followed by the loud clang of what turned out to be a large brass candlestick, flung with all his force by poor Tom Ludlow over the banisters, and rattling with a rebound down the second flight of stairs; and almost concurrently with this, Tom burst open my door, and bounced into my room backwards, in a state of extraordinary agitation.

Overcome with anxiety and fear, poor Tom was unable to speak of the hideous vision which so unmanned him. The following morning, Tom had made the decision to visit his father while Richard sought alternative accommodation, both concluding moving out of the haunted dwelling was necessary.

A week elapsed before alternative quarters were secured on Digges street, in which time poor Richard was haunted by nightly occurrences of heavy footsteps descending the medieval staircase from the gloomy loft. Thankful of Tom’s return, Richard relayed his week of fearful nights over breakfast in the mansion before moving their belongings to their new residence.

Having recovered from his own night of horror in the Aungier street house, Tom decided to disclose the details of his vision to his good friend:

Without a start or fearful sensation of any kind, I waked gently, but completely. It was, as you have good reason to remember, long past midnight--I believe, about two o'clock. When sleep has been deep and long enough to satisfy nature thoroughly, one often wakens in this way, suddenly, tranquilly, and completely.

 "There was a figure seated in that lumbering, old sofa-chair, near the fireplace. Its back was rather towards me, but I could not be mistaken; it turned slowly round, and, merciful heavens! there was the stony face, with its infernal lineaments of malignity and despair, gloating on me. There was now no doubt as to its consciousness of my presence, and the hellish malice with which it was animated, for it arose, and drew close to the bedside. There was a rope about its neck, and the other end, coiled up, it held stiffly in its hand.

"My good angel nerved me for this horrible crisis. I remained for some seconds transfixed by the gaze of this tremendous phantom. He came close to the bed, and appeared on the point of mounting upon it. The next instant I was upon the floor at the far side, and in a moment more was, I don't know how, upon the lobby.

 "But the spell was not yet broken; the valley of the shadow of death was not yet traversed. The abhorred phantom was before me there; it was standing near the banisters, stooping a little, and with one end of the rope round its own neck, was poising a noose at the other, as if to throw over mine; and while engaged in this baleful pantomime, it wore a smile so sensual, so unspeakably dreadful, that my senses were nearly overpowered. I saw and remember nothing more, until I found myself in your room.

"I had a wonderful escape, Dick--there is no disputing that--an escape for which, while I live, I shall bless the mercy of heaven. No one can conceive or imagine what it is for flesh and blood to stand in the presence of such a thing, but one who has had the terrific experience. Dick, Dick, a shadow has passed over me--a chill has crossed my blood and marrow, and I will never be the same again--never, Dick--never!"

The handmaid, a local woman, was present for Tom’s recollection, and by its conclusion was quite unnerved. "It's often I heard tell of it," she now said, "but I never believed it rightly till now” She relayed the story of a former dweller in the house, a man by the name of Judge Horrocks, infamous for sentencing numerous souls to death by hanging. This most unpopular, and hateful judge came to his own unpleasant end, in the very house in which they stood, and was found hanging from the banisters in the great stairwell some years earlier.

In this cold light of day, Tom and Richard packed the remainder of their belongings, relieved to be leaving the haunted residence, the cause of immeasurable fear and torment.

“And so, we all sallied out together, each of us breathing more freely, I have no doubt, as we crossed that ill-omened threshold for the last time.”

 

To read the full tale of the haunted residence on Aungier street,follow the link here.                                                                    *Although it is unconfirmed this ghostly tale occurred in 9/9a Aungier street, Nicola Matthews (Dublin Civic Trust) assures us it is most probably the location, as the character and layout of the interior relates to that of 9/9a.

Top image courtesy of the Irish Georgian Society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A haunted dwelling on Aungier Street

A haunted dwelling on Aungier Street

  Posted by Clare Grennan in: Aungier Street, Dublin, Haunted Dublin, Medieval Dublin

Our ghostly tale takes place on one of Dublin’s oldest streets, in one of the great houses which date back to the 17th century. The much over-looked, modern day Aungier street with its assortment of cafes, shops, bars and offices disguises a rich medieval past, hidden beneath contemporary shop fronts and facades. Conservation works are quietly taking place above ground floor units, restoring and protecting these great houses. 9/9a Aungier street, which houses a jewellers and estate agent on its ground floor is of immeasurable importance, being Dublin’s oldest residential building.

Concealed behind an inconspicuous blue door, a rickety staircase leads to the upper levels, where the layers of time are slowly being stripped back to reveal the very bones of this magnificent house. Faded wallpaper of various designs, one pasted over another, floor markings from past partitions & tiny nail holes in the walls from where pictures hung, speak of the former residents of this 350 year old atmospheric building. It was while researching the past occupants, that I came across a tale of haunted happenings and strange disturbances in an Aungier street mansion from the year 1853.

Two medical students by the names of Tom and Richard took up abode in the untenanted 9/9a Aungier street* which served as the perfect residence while completing their studies. It was not long before both began experiencing uneasy nights and disturbed sleep in the scantily furnished residence. Every second night, Richard awoke from frightening visions of an abominable figure which would move from the window towards the foot of his bed. Attempts to dispel these visions by way of a tonic before nightfall proved unsuccessful, and it was not long before Richard discovered Tom was experiencing equally uneasy nights.

One night, for a wonder, I was sleeping soundly, when I was roused by a step on the lobby outside my room, followed by the loud clang of what turned out to be a large brass candlestick, flung with all his force by poor Tom Ludlow over the banisters, and rattling with a rebound down the second flight of stairs; and almost concurrently with this, Tom burst open my door, and bounced into my room backwards, in a state of extraordinary agitation.

Overcome with anxiety and fear, poor Tom was unable to speak of the hideous vision which so unmanned him. The following morning, Tom had made the decision to visit his father while Richard sought alternative accommodation, both concluding moving out of the haunted dwelling was necessary.

A week elapsed before alternative quarters were secured on Digges street, in which time poor Richard was haunted by nightly occurrences of heavy footsteps descending the medieval staircase from the gloomy loft. Thankful of Tom’s return, Richard relayed his week of fearful nights over breakfast in the mansion before moving their belongings to their new residence.

Having recovered from his own night of horror in the Aungier street house, Tom decided to disclose the details of his vision to his good friend:

Without a start or fearful sensation of any kind, I waked gently, but completely. It was, as you have good reason to remember, long past midnight--I believe, about two o'clock. When sleep has been deep and long enough to satisfy nature thoroughly, one often wakens in this way, suddenly, tranquilly, and completely.

 "There was a figure seated in that lumbering, old sofa-chair, near the fireplace. Its back was rather towards me, but I could not be mistaken; it turned slowly round, and, merciful heavens! there was the stony face, with its infernal lineaments of malignity and despair, gloating on me. There was now no doubt as to its consciousness of my presence, and the hellish malice with which it was animated, for it arose, and drew close to the bedside. There was a rope about its neck, and the other end, coiled up, it held stiffly in its hand.

"My good angel nerved me for this horrible crisis. I remained for some seconds transfixed by the gaze of this tremendous phantom. He came close to the bed, and appeared on the point of mounting upon it. The next instant I was upon the floor at the far side, and in a moment more was, I don't know how, upon the lobby.

 "But the spell was not yet broken; the valley of the shadow of death was not yet traversed. The abhorred phantom was before me there; it was standing near the banisters, stooping a little, and with one end of the rope round its own neck, was poising a noose at the other, as if to throw over mine; and while engaged in this baleful pantomime, it wore a smile so sensual, so unspeakably dreadful, that my senses were nearly overpowered. I saw and remember nothing more, until I found myself in your room.

"I had a wonderful escape, Dick--there is no disputing that--an escape for which, while I live, I shall bless the mercy of heaven. No one can conceive or imagine what it is for flesh and blood to stand in the presence of such a thing, but one who has had the terrific experience. Dick, Dick, a shadow has passed over me--a chill has crossed my blood and marrow, and I will never be the same again--never, Dick--never!"

The handmaid, a local woman, was present for Tom’s recollection, and by its conclusion was quite unnerved. "It's often I heard tell of it," she now said, "but I never believed it rightly till now” She relayed the story of a former dweller in the house, a man by the name of Judge Horrocks, infamous for sentencing numerous souls to death by hanging. This most unpopular, and hateful judge came to his own unpleasant end, in the very house in which they stood, and was found hanging from the banisters in the great stairwell some years earlier.

In this cold light of day, Tom and Richard packed the remainder of their belongings, relieved to be leaving the haunted residence, the cause of immeasurable fear and torment.

“And so, we all sallied out together, each of us breathing more freely, I have no doubt, as we crossed that ill-omened threshold for the last time.”

 

To read the full tale of the haunted residence on Aungier street,follow the link here.                                                                    *Although it is unconfirmed this ghostly tale occurred in 9/9a Aungier street, Nicola Matthews (Dublin Civic Trust) assures us it is most probably the location, as the character and layout of the interior relates to that of 9/9a.

Top image courtesy of the Irish Georgian Society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flight of the Pidgeons

Flight of the Pidgeons

  Posted by Anne-Marie Neligan in: Dublin, Dublin Bay, Pigeon House, Poolbeg

Being a Kerry woman myself it’s not too surprising to hear I’m not too well informed on my history of Dublin. We stock a lot of pieces in Irish Design Shop depicting landmarks of Dublin and I noticed much confusion from customers around the name of the iconic Poolbeg Generating Station and its chimneys, with many calling it the Pigeon House. I decided to do a bit of research and set things straight.

A tale of thievery, murder and love in Dublin bay...

The Pigeon House surprisingly wasn’t named after the bird, but was named after John Pidgeon the caretaker of a storehouse used by the builders of the Great South Wall. Completed in 1795, it took nearly 30 years to build the nearly 4 mile long wall, extending out to sea from Dublin Port. From the storehouse John Pidgeon and his family sold food and refreshments to hungry passengers crossing the channel. ‘Pidgeon’s House’ became so popular that John and his son Ned would pick up Dubliners at Ringsend, row them down as far as the Pigeon House for food and drink and then back to the village after.

One night the house came under attack by four men armed with sabres. A fight broke out in which Ned was injured and lost all use of his hand. The thieves took all of the family possessions. The Pidgeon’s were so popular that once word spread of the attack, locals started a collection to reimburse their losses. Some days after the attack John and Ned took their boat out fishing. John’s hook got caught on something, he slowly reeled in the line only to discover it was the body of one of the attackers. A second body was washed ashore a few days later.

The following winter John and his wife passed away leaving Ned and his two sisters to fend for themselves. After Ned’s injury he was unable to row and was forced to hire oarsmen. He caught one of the oarsmen in possession of a knife that had belonged to his father. Ned and another boatsman captured the oarsman and brought the prisoner to Dublin, where he confessed to throwing the two men overboard after a fight broke out over dividing the hoard on the night of the raid.

Ned died soon after, leaving his two sisters to fend for themselves. With no other form of income they decided to row the family boat themselves and bring Dubliners to dine at the Pigeon House. It was unheard of at the time for women to row, so their venture became quite popular amongst the men of Dublin. One wintery October evening the two sisters were waiting for visitors outside their home when all of a sudden a violent storm arose. The sisters took shelter until the storm calmed and noticed something out at sea. They rowed their boat only a short distance out to find two men and a child clinging to a plank. The women rescued them and nursed them back to health. One of the men was the captain of the ship and the other was an American man and his child. His wife had passed away and he was coming to Ireland to place his child in the care of relatives. However, there was a happy ending and he fell in love with one of the sisters, and they made a new life together in America. He even found a wealthy partner for her sister.

(story adapted from The Dublin Penny Journal) 

 

In 1793, after the last of the Pidgeon’s left, the Pigeon House Hotel was constructed to accommodate the increasing cross-channel passenger traffic. It was repurposed as an army barracks in 1798 with the increasing threat of a French invasion. The redbrick power station on the site, the skeleton of which still remains today, began operation in 1903. It was finally decommissioned in 1976. The modern Poolbeg Generating Station and it’s chimneys on a nearby site were completed in 1971 and the famous chimneys puffed their final plume of smoke in 2010. To this day the old buildings of the generating station remain colloquially known as the Pigeon house.

Flight of the Pidgeons

Flight of the Pidgeons

  Posted by Anne-Marie Neligan in: Dublin, Dublin Bay, Pigeon House, Poolbeg

Being a Kerry woman myself it’s not too surprising to hear I’m not too well informed on my history of Dublin. We stock a lot of pieces in Irish Design Shop depicting landmarks of Dublin and I noticed much confusion from customers around the name of the iconic Poolbeg Generating Station and its chimneys, with many calling it the Pigeon House. I decided to do a bit of research and set things straight.

A tale of thievery, murder and love in Dublin bay...

The Pigeon House surprisingly wasn’t named after the bird, but was named after John Pidgeon the caretaker of a storehouse used by the builders of the Great South Wall. Completed in 1795, it took nearly 30 years to build the nearly 4 mile long wall, extending out to sea from Dublin Port. From the storehouse John Pidgeon and his family sold food and refreshments to hungry passengers crossing the channel. ‘Pidgeon’s House’ became so popular that John and his son Ned would pick up Dubliners at Ringsend, row them down as far as the Pigeon House for food and drink and then back to the village after.

One night the house came under attack by four men armed with sabres. A fight broke out in which Ned was injured and lost all use of his hand. The thieves took all of the family possessions. The Pidgeon’s were so popular that once word spread of the attack, locals started a collection to reimburse their losses. Some days after the attack John and Ned took their boat out fishing. John’s hook got caught on something, he slowly reeled in the line only to discover it was the body of one of the attackers. A second body was washed ashore a few days later.

The following winter John and his wife passed away leaving Ned and his two sisters to fend for themselves. After Ned’s injury he was unable to row and was forced to hire oarsmen. He caught one of the oarsmen in possession of a knife that had belonged to his father. Ned and another boatsman captured the oarsman and brought the prisoner to Dublin, where he confessed to throwing the two men overboard after a fight broke out over dividing the hoard on the night of the raid.

Ned died soon after, leaving his two sisters to fend for themselves. With no other form of income they decided to row the family boat themselves and bring Dubliners to dine at the Pigeon House. It was unheard of at the time for women to row, so their venture became quite popular amongst the men of Dublin. One wintery October evening the two sisters were waiting for visitors outside their home when all of a sudden a violent storm arose. The sisters took shelter until the storm calmed and noticed something out at sea. They rowed their boat only a short distance out to find two men and a child clinging to a plank. The women rescued them and nursed them back to health. One of the men was the captain of the ship and the other was an American man and his child. His wife had passed away and he was coming to Ireland to place his child in the care of relatives. However, there was a happy ending and he fell in love with one of the sisters, and they made a new life together in America. He even found a wealthy partner for her sister.

(story adapted from The Dublin Penny Journal) 

 

In 1793, after the last of the Pidgeon’s left, the Pigeon House Hotel was constructed to accommodate the increasing cross-channel passenger traffic. It was repurposed as an army barracks in 1798 with the increasing threat of a French invasion. The redbrick power station on the site, the skeleton of which still remains today, began operation in 1903. It was finally decommissioned in 1976. The modern Poolbeg Generating Station and it’s chimneys on a nearby site were completed in 1971 and the famous chimneys puffed their final plume of smoke in 2010. To this day the old buildings of the generating station remain colloquially known as the Pigeon house.

Luncheonette

Luncheonette

  Posted by Clare Grennan in: dublin, Dublin cafe, food, ireland

Chicken a là King, curry chips and sausage rolls, the canteen staples we all remember fondly in NCAD. To say a transformation has taken place in the heart of the college is an understatement. Past pupil & visual artist Jennie Moran considered her toughest challenge to be altering students tastes when establishing her newly opened Luncheonette, but, “it turns out there is no love lost for sausage rolls OR chicken curry”.

Luncheonette offers customers colourful, seasonal and comforting food at affordable prices which changes daily. Expect such delights as: Flatbread and thyme braised mushrooms, sumac barley, lemon ricotta for €3, lemon and almond cake for €2, and tea or coffee for one and two euro. Captivated by the food and atmosphere of Luncheonette, we asked Jennie to tell us a little about her project:

“Last year I got wind that NCAD had lost its canteen. This was a bad scene – like taking a kitchen out of a house. I know how tough days can be in those studios and how vital it is to be able to wander over, covered in plaster and be fed or handed tea. So - irate, I decided to operate a Wednesday soup stand in the college. One such lunchtime, I was handing soup to the director of the college and heard the words "I should reopen that canteen" come out of my mouth. And, remarkably, here I am.”

A homely atmosphere is achieved in Luncheonette’s basement space with communal wooden tables, quirky lampshades which incorporate recycled plastic containers and china tea cups. Fresh vegetables are visible from the counter where tempting baked goods are on display along with the days specials.                          

Questioned on the most popular dishes, Jennie explains: “The most popular additions to the menu are those that come from students. Today we served Inam from textiles Iraqi Biryani with lamb and peas.” 

Hungry members of the public are welcome in Luncheonette, it is not just an eatery for NCAD staff and students. Hours of trading are 8.30am-3.45pm, Monday to Friday. Plans are afoot for some special weekend hospitality around the NCAD Degree exhibition in June. But don't leave it till then to sample the culinary delights Luncheonette has to offer. We’re looking forward to a second visit and checking out their new drinking glasses made from beer bottles, cut and finished by Andy in glass. 

Follow Luncheonette on facebook or twitter.

Finally, thanks so much to Kaethe Burt-O'Dea for allowing us to use her beautiful photos of Luncheonette. Check out Kaethe's website for information on the many collaborative projects she is involved in.

 

Luncheonette

Luncheonette

  Posted by Clare Grennan in: dublin, Dublin cafe, food, ireland

Chicken a là King, curry chips and sausage rolls, the canteen staples we all remember fondly in NCAD. To say a transformation has taken place in the heart of the college is an understatement. Past pupil & visual artist Jennie Moran considered her toughest challenge to be altering students tastes when establishing her newly opened Luncheonette, but, “it turns out there is no love lost for sausage rolls OR chicken curry”.

Luncheonette offers customers colourful, seasonal and comforting food at affordable prices which changes daily. Expect such delights as: Flatbread and thyme braised mushrooms, sumac barley, lemon ricotta for €3, lemon and almond cake for €2, and tea or coffee for one and two euro. Captivated by the food and atmosphere of Luncheonette, we asked Jennie to tell us a little about her project:

“Last year I got wind that NCAD had lost its canteen. This was a bad scene – like taking a kitchen out of a house. I know how tough days can be in those studios and how vital it is to be able to wander over, covered in plaster and be fed or handed tea. So - irate, I decided to operate a Wednesday soup stand in the college. One such lunchtime, I was handing soup to the director of the college and heard the words "I should reopen that canteen" come out of my mouth. And, remarkably, here I am.”

A homely atmosphere is achieved in Luncheonette’s basement space with communal wooden tables, quirky lampshades which incorporate recycled plastic containers and china tea cups. Fresh vegetables are visible from the counter where tempting baked goods are on display along with the days specials.                          

Questioned on the most popular dishes, Jennie explains: “The most popular additions to the menu are those that come from students. Today we served Inam from textiles Iraqi Biryani with lamb and peas.” 

Hungry members of the public are welcome in Luncheonette, it is not just an eatery for NCAD staff and students. Hours of trading are 8.30am-3.45pm, Monday to Friday. Plans are afoot for some special weekend hospitality around the NCAD Degree exhibition in June. But don't leave it till then to sample the culinary delights Luncheonette has to offer. We’re looking forward to a second visit and checking out their new drinking glasses made from beer bottles, cut and finished by Andy in glass. 

Follow Luncheonette on facebook or twitter.

Finally, thanks so much to Kaethe Burt-O'Dea for allowing us to use her beautiful photos of Luncheonette. Check out Kaethe's website for information on the many collaborative projects she is involved in.

 

Merrion Square Expedition

Merrion Square Expedition

  Posted by Anne-Marie Neligan in: Christmas, dublin, ireland, Merrion Square

With Christmas fast approaching the team at Irish Design Shop, in conjunction with the Merrion Square Network are busy organising another year of Christmas on the Square. The event now in its second year will showcase some Ireland's top designers, makers and artisan food producers along with a variety of other treats in three of the Merrion Square most prestigious buildings. As myself and Katie are new to the IDS team so we set off to investigate these beautiful buildings in the heart of Georgian Dublin for ourselves. Here's a taster of some of the delights we found.

Our first stop was 45 Merrion Square, the headquarters of The Architectural Archive of Ireland. Built in 1795 and the largest terraced house on the square it makes quite an impression. The Archive collect and preserve material of every kind relating to the architecture of the entire island of Ireland, and make it available to the public. Through the massive front door and into a impressive foyer displaying architectural models . Beyond the foyer and onto the Archive Reading Rooms and Architecture Gallery, which will host cocktail making by our sponsors at Hennessy. Up the stairs to the piana nobile, a trio of connecting rooms with high ceilings, panelled walls, cornicing and grand fireplaces. These rooms will house our 22 craft stalls for the day and will be festively decorated by our neighbours, Appassionata.


Next stop was 22 Merrion Square, The College of Anaesthetists Ireland. Today the building is regraded as a leading training body in the field of anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine, but we have something else in mind for the day. Denise Johnston, guided us to the first floor Gilamartin Room, a room of old-school grandeur and where the ICA will perform cake decorating demonstrations on the day. Down the stylish wooden staircase, lit with florescent lights, lies a stylish marble floored basement room in stark juxtaposition to the grandeur of above. This airy contemporary space will be home to our 10 artisan food producers. Tasty treats will be available for the likes of Cocoa Atelier, Hansel and Gretel bakery and The Scullery.

Our last stop was across the park to 63 Merrion Square, The Royal Society of Antiquaries and I really felt we left the best for last. This building hasn't been restored to the level of the others and this added to it's charm. Mounted in the entrance hall is a massive stags head. From the intricate moulding ceiling hangs a simple Georgian lantern. The meeting rooms situated on the first floor, overlook Merrion Square to the front and a restored Georgian garden to the rear. Their marble fireplaces, elaborate ceiling decorations and tall, shuttered windows all reflect their former status as the main reception spaces of the house. We plan to house a pop-up café from our friends and neighbours Coppa, from the R.H.A Gallery, in these rooms lined with books and journals on Irish history, antiquities and archaeological published in Ireland, Great Britain and beyond.


Join us on November 30th for a day of festive fun. Whether you are looking to get all those Christmas gifts out of the way early or a chance to explore Georgian Dublin's hidden gems, Christmas on the Square has it all.

 

Blog post by: Anne-Marie Nelligan and Katie Gilligan

Merrion Square Expedition

Merrion Square Expedition

  Posted by Anne-Marie Neligan in: Christmas, dublin, ireland, Merrion Square

With Christmas fast approaching the team at Irish Design Shop, in conjunction with the Merrion Square Network are busy organising another year of Christmas on the Square. The event now in its second year will showcase some Ireland's top designers, makers and artisan food producers along with a variety of other treats in three of the Merrion Square most prestigious buildings. As myself and Katie are new to the IDS team so we set off to investigate these beautiful buildings in the heart of Georgian Dublin for ourselves. Here's a taster of some of the delights we found.

Our first stop was 45 Merrion Square, the headquarters of The Architectural Archive of Ireland. Built in 1795 and the largest terraced house on the square it makes quite an impression. The Archive collect and preserve material of every kind relating to the architecture of the entire island of Ireland, and make it available to the public. Through the massive front door and into a impressive foyer displaying architectural models . Beyond the foyer and onto the Archive Reading Rooms and Architecture Gallery, which will host cocktail making by our sponsors at Hennessy. Up the stairs to the piana nobile, a trio of connecting rooms with high ceilings, panelled walls, cornicing and grand fireplaces. These rooms will house our 22 craft stalls for the day and will be festively decorated by our neighbours, Appassionata.


Next stop was 22 Merrion Square, The College of Anaesthetists Ireland. Today the building is regraded as a leading training body in the field of anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine, but we have something else in mind for the day. Denise Johnston, guided us to the first floor Gilamartin Room, a room of old-school grandeur and where the ICA will perform cake decorating demonstrations on the day. Down the stylish wooden staircase, lit with florescent lights, lies a stylish marble floored basement room in stark juxtaposition to the grandeur of above. This airy contemporary space will be home to our 10 artisan food producers. Tasty treats will be available for the likes of Cocoa Atelier, Hansel and Gretel bakery and The Scullery.

Our last stop was across the park to 63 Merrion Square, The Royal Society of Antiquaries and I really felt we left the best for last. This building hasn't been restored to the level of the others and this added to it's charm. Mounted in the entrance hall is a massive stags head. From the intricate moulding ceiling hangs a simple Georgian lantern. The meeting rooms situated on the first floor, overlook Merrion Square to the front and a restored Georgian garden to the rear. Their marble fireplaces, elaborate ceiling decorations and tall, shuttered windows all reflect their former status as the main reception spaces of the house. We plan to house a pop-up café from our friends and neighbours Coppa, from the R.H.A Gallery, in these rooms lined with books and journals on Irish history, antiquities and archaeological published in Ireland, Great Britain and beyond.


Join us on November 30th for a day of festive fun. Whether you are looking to get all those Christmas gifts out of the way early or a chance to explore Georgian Dublin's hidden gems, Christmas on the Square has it all.

 

Blog post by: Anne-Marie Nelligan and Katie Gilligan