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The evidence from recent excavations of the area we
now call 'Temple bar' suggests that it was first inhabited
in the Viking-period during the 10th century if not
even earlier. Much of this archaeological evidence relates
to the western end of Temple bar, which lay within the
boundaries of the old Viking town. The strategic importance
of this town is reflected in the discovery of the remains
of Isolde's Tower on the 13th century Anglo-Norman city
wall, also near the west end. To the east an Augustinian
friary was established in 1257 at the north end of Temple
Lane.
From the Middle ages onwards Temple bar was an identifiable
zone of land within the city. Geographically the confluence
of the now subterranean river Poddle with the river
Liffey formed a barrier of mud flats between the western
and eastern sides, whilst the Liffey itself to the north
along with the dominant east-west axis of Dame Street
forced the area into a roughly rectangular shape. In
time the Poddle was contained and canalised and land
was reclaimed from the rivers with mounds of dumped
soil, industrial ash and domestic waste.
The period between 1600-1720 became an era of great
activity and development for the quarter when a new
Custom House and quay were built along the river and
Dame Street swelled with the mansions and gardens of
aristocrats, stretching to the river. These landowners
subdivided and leased their plots thereby sketching
a blueprint of nascent streets. These plots were leased
by a variety of people and organisations, ensuring a
diversity of building and urban design.
When the east-west oriented Essex St and Essex Bridge,
linking the north city, were laid down in the 1670s
development further accelerated, to the extent that
by the early 18th century the quarter could be justly
considered the heart of the city. Further extensions
of the quay walls were followed by the Wide Street Commissioners'
work in the 18th century. Yet, apart from the latter,
the Victorian impact on the area was relatively minor
as it was nearly completely built up by this stage.
The area remained important to the lifeblood of the
city until the mid-20th century when businesses, shoppers
and residents began to move elsewhere. From 1981 onwards
CIE (the national transport company) began to purchase
property to build a huge Transportation Centre. Over
the years, while dealing with the planning process,
it rented out its properties at low rents to artists,
musicians, Co-ops ad other cultural bodies. This inevitably
lent an alternative, bohemian atmosphere to the place
and residents began to see a real value in their area.
They formed a committee known as the Temple Bar Development
Council in 1988 to oppose CIE's plans for the bus depot
(the term 'Temple Bar Area' first appeared in a 1985
An Taisce [The Irish National Trust] report). They successfully
lobbied Dublin Corporation and various government departments
and in 1991 CIE sold its properties to Temple Bar Properties,
a newly constituted development company established
on the behalf of the Department of the Taoiseach (Prime
Minister). The most remarkable project of urban renewal
of the state's history had begun.
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