Grafton Street
The Grafton Street ( Irish Sráid Grafton ) is Dublin's main shopping street. It runs from St. Stephen's Green in the south to Trinity College in the north. The road was named after the first Duke of Grafton (1663–1690) who owned land in the area. It originated from a rural road in 1708 and was expanded by the Dawson family in 1708. The parallel Dawson Street is named after this family.
The street has been a pedestrian zone since the 1980s, with the exception of a small section between Nassau Street and College Green. But on this small stretch there are two Dublin attractions: the 18th century home of the dean of Trinity College and the late 20th century statue of Molly Malone , which is a popular meeting place these days.
There are always some street performers or musicians on Grafton Street entertaining the crowds.
The opening of the Luas tram in Dublin in late June 2004 resulted in 20% more “shoppers” on Grafton Street by October, although the construction of a large shopping center in Dundrum (at the other end of the tram line) could tarnish this balance in the future. Rents in the street increased 46% between 2003 and 2004, making it the fifth most expensive street in the world.
Well-known shops on Grafton Street
- Brown Thomas Department Store
- Weirs (jeweler)
- Dunnes Stores (women's clothing)
- HMV (music)
- Marks and Spencer (clothing and groceries)
- River Island clothes
Famous street performers on Grafton Street
- Paddy Casey - former street musician on Grafton Street, now an internationally successful musician
- Glen Hansard - former Grafton Street street musician, Oscar winner and part of The Swell Season duo
- David McSavage - stand-up comedian, today an internationally successful comedian
- Damien Rice - former street musician on Grafton Street, now an internationally successful musician
- Rodrigo y Gabriela - former street musician on Grafton Street, Mexican guitar duo
- Keywest - British-Irish pop-rock band from Dublin
Web links
Coordinates: 53 ° 20 ′ 29 " N , 6 ° 15 ′ 37" W.