Someone asked the following question online on the same day as I visited Francis Street
[Question] I am an American and I plan to attend the Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin I am bringing four young children, and my husband. Some friends recommended that I stay at a hotel on Francis Street but others told me that it is not safe at night. What is your recommendation []
Here is the response: While Francis Street in Dublin has a rich history and is known for its antique shops, there are some valid concerns about staying in the area with young children, especially for St. Patrick’s Day. [Note: I am not sure about some of the alternatives that were suggested]
Concerns about Francis Street:
Reputation: Parts of Francis Street and the surrounding Liberties area have a historical reputation for social problems like drug use and petty crime. While the area has undergone changes, these elements can still be present.
Nighttime activity: The area can get lively at night, especially during events like St. Patrick’s Day, which may not be the most suitable atmosphere for young children.
Limited amenities: Depending on the specific hotel, you may find fewer child-friendly amenities and attractions in the immediate vicinity. Why you might consider staying elsewhere for St. Patrick’s Day
Crowds and noise: The parade route passes through the city centre, and areas surrounding it will be extremely crowded and noisy, which can be difficult to manage with young children.
Safety concerns: While direct risk may be low, large crowds and celebrations can increase the chance of minor issues like getting separated from children.
Alternative Areas to Consider:
Here are some more family-friendly areas of Dublin, still within a reasonable distance of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities:
Temple Bar: Lively, but with lots of family-friendly hotels and restaurants. A bit closer to the parade route. Ballsbridge: A more upscale area with parks and a calmer atmosphere. Good public transport connections to the city center. Smithfield/Stoneybatter: These neighborhoods on the north side of the River Liffey offer a mix of historic charm and trendy spots, with a bit more space than the city center.
About Francis Street:
Francis Street is a historic street in the Liberties area of Dublin. It’s known for its antique shops and its proximity to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. While it’s an interesting area to visit during the daytime, it may not be the most suitable for a family stay during a major festival.
Overall Recommendation
For a comfortable and safe family experience during St. Patrick’s Day, I’d recommend opting for a hotel in one of the alternative areas mentioned above. This gives you better access to the festivities while providing a more suitable environment for your young children.
The South Quays’ relatively open space offers an unobstructed view of the North Quays, making it an ideal vantage point for a street photographer like myself. Armed with my Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, I captured the contrasting architectural styles: the grandeur of the Four Courts and the old Church On Araan Quay which is discussed below.
History
Built between 1835 and 1837, shortly after Catholic Emancipation, a time where Catholics gained increased rights to build prominent places of worship. Designed by Patrick Byrne, a significant architect of Catholic churches in Ireland during this era. He also designed St. Audoen’s Catholic Church nearby.
Saint Paul’s forms a historic and visual focal point on Arran Quay. Designed by Patrick Byrne, it was built soon after Catholic Emancipation, when the Roman Catholic Church was beginning to build visible high-status buildings. Its tall Italianate bell and clock tower provides visual as well as contextual interest, with the inclusion of a clock, which was more common on Protestant Churches, implying a sense of public responsibility and thus increasing the status of the building.
The elegant detailing on the portico, as well as the later figures to the pediment (Joseph Robinson Kirk, c.1870), provide decorative and technical interest to the façade, and are testament to the skill and craftsmanship of stone workers and sculptors in the nineteenth century.
The very fine classical interior, with a wealth of quality materials and craftsmanship, adds to the overall architectural importance of this ecclesiastical site, despite the removal of some features such as the altar rails. Eamonn and Sinead De Valera were married here in 1910, adding a certain historical significance to the building.
Artistic interest is added by the altar, by Farrell (before 1863), and a copy of Rubens Conversion of St. Paul by F.S. Barff (1863), which replaced an earlier representation of the crucifixion. The church had fallen into disuse, although currently it is used for some Catholic services as well as Syrian Orthodox services and Taize prayer.
Note: St. Paul’s is no longer the parish church. However, it is still used by a Catholic youth group and the St. Gregrorios Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.