The Italian Quarter An Ceathrú Iodálach[1] | |
|---|---|
Area ofDublin | |
 Bloom Lane and the Italian Quarter courtyard in 2006 | |
  The Italian Quarter Location in Dublin Show map of Central Dublin The Italian Quarter The Italian Quarter (Dublin) Show map of Dublin | |
| Coordinates:53°20′48″N6°15′55″W / 53.34667°N 6.26528°W /53.34667; -6.26528 | |
| Country | Ireland |
| City | Dublin |
| Postal district | D01 |
TheItalian Quarter (Irish:An Ceathrú Iodálach) is an unofficially-named private development on thenorth bank of theRiver Liffey in centralDublin, Ireland.[a][3][b] The development comprisesBloom Lane, a pedestrianised alley, and the properties located along both sides of it, including an apartment complex known as Quartiere Bloom.[5][6] In 2019,Italy Magazine named the area as one of the places to find "one of the more convincing approximations ofmangiare all'italiana" in Dublin.[3]
With "European-style" dining establishments and cafes, the Italian Quarter is one of several mixed-use quarters that have appeared in Dublin since the 1990s, promoted by theDublin City Council and private developers.[7]
Originally developed byMEPMick Wallace as part of an urban regeneration project on what was considered the 'decayingnorthern quays', the 'Italian Quarter' opened in 2004.[8][9] His former building company M&J Wallace was the main developer.[10] Designed by architect George Morris, the development retained the facade of an older building on the quays.[11] The frontage was cut through to create a pedestrian access route extending from theMillennium Bridge through the Italian Quarter to azebra crossing, leading to the rest of the Millennium Walkway and theJervis stop on theLuas Red Line.[11][6]
Wallace, anItalophile who once owned property inTurin and a vineyard inPiedmont, declared bankruptcy in 2016.[10] In February 2023, theIrish Independent reported that the holding company Wallace Calcio, which he exited but continued to advise, was associated with 10 businesses including wine bars, restaurants, and cafes near the Italian Quarter.[12]
Italian eateries in the quarter include Caffe Cagliostro, located alongside the iconic photo muralDublin's Last Supper;[3] Wallace's Taverna, a restaurant and pizzeria that first opened in 2005;[13] Sfuso, formerly known as Enoteca Delle Langhe, agastronomia or deli and wine bar serving aperitivo;[4] and Bar Italia, whose pasta dishes often appear on social media.[14] Despite the name, the Italian Quarter is also home to a Thai restaurant,[15] aburrito shop,[16] and other establishments, including ahookah bar.[11]
A large-scale photographic artwork by Irish artistJohn Byrne entitledDublin's Last Supper was installed in 2004 covering the side of a wall within the courtyard in the Italian Quarter. Depicting a modern-day re-enactment ofLeonardo da Vinci'sThe Last Supper, Byrne added an 'Irish twist' by replacing the Biblical characters with a cast of local Dubliners that reflected the "changing society and the growing cultural mix in Dublin" at the time.[17]
Although it stirred some controversy when it was first unveiled, over the years,Dublin's Last Supper has become one of the more popularpublic artworks located across Dublin.[18]
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STUSO
3 Bloom Lane
Ormond Quay Lower
Dublin 1
D01 V127
It is however sometimes quoted in newspapers when referring to the addresses of restaurants along the lane.[4] As of August 2023, the name 'The Italian Quarter' is also unrecognised by Ireland'splacenames database.
When city districts are fabricated, rather than developing organically, there can often be confusion about what they're called. Take Dublin's so-called Italian Quarter, which was formerly described as Quartiere Bloom and yet is also part of the much-hyped Millennium Walkway dreamt up by property developers and the city council.
You may not think of visiting Dublin's Italian quarter for Thai food, but you can't go far wrong with Koh.