Westmoreland Street, Dublin

Overview

Westmoreland Street (Irish: Sráid Westmoreland) is a broad, one‑way avenue on Dublin’s Southside that links College Green with O’Connell Bridge. It forms part of the R138 for north‑bound traffic, while the parallel D’Olier Street handles the south‑bound flow. The street marks the eastern border of the vibrant Temple Bar district and sits at the heart of the city’s commercial and cultural hub. Its width and straight alignment were deliberately designed in the late 18th century to provide a grand approach to the new bridge over the River Liffey.

History

The street is named after John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland, who served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1789 to 1794. It was one of the final projects of the Wide Streets Commission, with a plan submitted in 1792 by Henry Aaron Baker and formally accepted in 1799. The commission’s vision was to create a coordinated streetscape that would sit alongside D’Olier Street, both acting as a ceremonial gateway to the city centre.

Beyond its naming, Westmoreland Street was a deliberately planned intervention in an otherwise irregular medieval fabric. Planners wanted a straight, wide boulevard that could frame vistas toward the Liffey, encourage investment and signal Dublin’s ambition to match other European capitals. The street therefore became a physical and symbolic gateway between the north‑side and south‑side of the city, a role it continues to play for pedestrians and commuters alike.

In 1967 a proposal to rename the thoroughfare “President Kennedy Street” was put to a rate‑payer ballot after John F. Kennedy’s 1963 motorcade had travelled the road. The motion fell short of the required votes, and the historic name endured.

Architecture

Westmoreland Street’s built environment reflects a dialogue between Georgian ambition and later 19th‑ and 20th‑century interventions. Key examples include:

• Educational Chambers / EBS building (corner of Fleet Street) – originally a restrained Georgian façade, remodelled in the early 1970s by Sam Stephenson into the dark, mirror‑glass “black box” that sparked strong council debate.
• Former Paradiso restaurant façade – an Art‑Nouvelle frontage retained and now framing an atrium within the same complex, offering a rare glimpse of the street’s earlier aesthetic.
• Bank of Ireland building on College Green – an imposing neoclassical structure that dominates the western end of the street.
• Scottish Widows building (1875, Thomas Newenham Deane) – a Victorian commercial block that still contributes to the street’s rhythmic façade.
• Cramer Wood Music Store (nos. 3‑4, 1870, William G. Murray) – another surviving 19th‑century commercial façade.

Despite these layers, the street retains a coherent building line, mid‑rise scale and regular window rhythm that speak to the original Wide Streets Commission intent.

What to See & Do

National Wax Museum Plus

Located in the iconic Lafayette Building at 22‑25 Westmoreland Street, the National Wax Museum Plus occupies three floors of interactive exhibits. Highlights include:

• Science and Discovery – hands‑on displays that blend education with entertainment.
• Mirror Maze – a playful labyrinth that leads to the Hall of Fame.
• Great Irish Writers – a panoramic view of O’Connell Street while you meet literary legends.
• Father Ted Room, Children’s Section, Time Vaults, and a Chamber of Horrors for those who enjoy a thrill. The museum is family‑friendly and a perfect rainy‑day activity.

Amusement City

Just a short walk down the street, Amusement City (4 Westmoreland St) offers a retro arcade experience with classic games, pinball machines and modern attractions. Its central location makes it an easy stop for families looking for indoor fun.

Street‑Level Highlights

• The imposing Bank of Ireland building on College Green, visible from Westmoreland Street.
• The Luas Westmoreland stop on the Green Line (north‑bound only), providing swift connections to Broombridge, Parnell, and the Red Line.
• A variety of cafés, boutiques and restaurants that spill out from Temple Bar onto the street, perfect for a coffee break or a quick bite.

Events & Street Life

Westmoreland Street is a natural conduit for citywide processions, demonstrations and cultural celebrations. Its width accommodates crowds during St. Patrick’s Day parades and occasional outdoor art installations. Even on a typical weekday the street buzzes with commuters, students and tourists, giving a lively urban atmosphere.

Nearby Attractions

• Abbey Theatre – Ireland’s national theatre, a short walk north along Abbey Street.
• Central Bank Visitor Centre – interactive exhibits on Irish banking history, located just off Westmoreland Street near the Bank of Ireland building.
• Temple Bar – the famous cultural quarter with pubs, galleries and street performers, directly adjacent to the eastern side of the street.
• Trinity College Dublin – a few minutes’ walk north, home to the Book of Kells and the historic campus.

Practical Information

Westmoreland Street is well served by public transport. In addition to the Luas Green Line stop, numerous Dublin Bus routes stop nearby, including 1, 4, 16, 25, 25a, 25b, 25x, 46a, 46e, 66a, 67, 118, 67x and 123. For drivers, a large parking garage on Fleet Street (D02 A375) offers on‑site parking.

National Wax Museum Plus – Opening Hours & Access

The museum is partially wheelchair accessible; regular‑size wheelchairs and simple prams can use the elevator that serves all floors. Two wheelchairs can be accommodated at a time, so advance booking is advisable during peak periods. Baby‑changing facilities are available on the ground floor, and staff are on hand to guide visitors through the most suitable routes.

Getting There

• Luas: Westmoreland stop (northbound only) on the Green Line.
• Bus: Multiple routes stop on or near the street; check the Dublin Bus website for timetables.
• Car: Use the Fleet Street garage; the M50 provides quick airport access (approximately 30 minutes).

Practical Tips

• The street is primarily a pedestrian and public‑transport corridor; private vehicles are discouraged during peak hours.
• Peak footfall occurs between 09:00‑11:00 and 17:00‑19:00 on weekdays – plan museum visits outside these windows for a quieter experience.
• Many cafés offer free Wi‑Fi, making the street a convenient spot for a quick work break.

For more details on the museum, visit the official site: National Wax Museum Plus. Additional information about the street’s history can be found on its Wikipedia page.

Westmoreland Street offers a blend of Dublin’s Georgian past, contemporary architecture, and lively attractions, making it a must‑see corridor for any visitor to the capital.