Eustace Street

Eustace Street is a street in the Temple Bar area of Dublin, Ireland.

Location

Eustace Street runs from Wellington Quay to Dame Street, with junctions with Essex Street East and Curved Street.
At the halfway point of the street there is a passageway to Meetinghouse Square.

History

Eustace Street takes its name from Sir Maurice Eustace, former Lord Chancellor of Ireland, whose townhouse "Damask" and its gardens once stood on the site. The street was laid out prior to 1701 but legal issues held up the initial construction. Charles Brooking's map of Dublin shows the street as fully built.
The street was the sight of a historic holy well dedicated to Saint Winifred. The well was uncovered during renovations in the 1990s. Saint Winifred is a Welsh saint, and it is not known why this well was dedicated to her.
The street is known for its association with the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers. In 1692, the Quakers in Dublin established a meeting house on Sycamore Alley, off Dame Street and later expanded onto Eustace Street.
Eustace Street also once housed a Presbyterian/Unitarian church, which moved there from New Row in 1728; John Leland was a pastor there.
In the 18th century, Eustace Street was the site of the Eagle Tavern, which was the site of the founding of the Dublin Society of United Irishmen.
The Stamp and Imprest office was located at number 4 and 5 on the street from its establishment in 1775 until it moved to Powerscourt House in 1811.

19th century

The street addresses were renumbered in the 1840s.

20th century

In recent years the street has become a cultural centre, housing the Irish Film Institute and The Ark. Fishamble: The New Play Company are located at 1 Eustace Street.

Cultural references

Eustace Street appears twice in the work of James Joyce:
Irish band Delorentos released a single entitled "Eustace Street" in 2007.