1824 – Royal Arcade and Grand Promenade, College Green, Dublin

Destroyed by fire in 1837. Described as “a beautiful structure two storeys high. The under one being the Arcade contained 30 shops filled with all sorts of merchandize, to regulate which strict bye laws were made; the first floor was used as a Bazaar, and extended over the entire line of shops on both sides of the Arcade and being connected at each end, formed a Promenade much resorted to. It was laid out with a range of counters the whole length about 200 feet; the roof was supported by two ranges of Grecian Doric columns; and added to the noble effect of the building.”

“Communicating with the Promenade is a commodious suite of apartments comprising Ball, Supper, and Card Rooms. Adjoining these is an extensive gallery which was until lately occupied by the works of Irish artists in painting. architecture, sculpture. In another part of the building is the Sans Pareil Theatre, which is generally occupied by some amusing exhibition. An extensive Hotel and Coffee Room are also attached to the concern. The purchase and building cost 16,000 and the whole was accomplished by Mr Home.”

“DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN DUBLIN.
About three o’clock this morning, one of the most awful and destructive fires that has occurred in the city for many years burnt out in Suffolk-street side of the Royal Arcade. It raged with uncontrollable fury for several hours, and having spread through the Arcade to College green, completely destroyed that extensive building, as also the Royal Shades, the Royal Hotel, the woollen drapery warehouse of Mr. Ferrall; and the extensive line of Messrs. Boyle, Low, Pim, and Co, in addition to which the adjoining houses are considerably damaged. On the Suffolk-street side the houses of Mr. Wisehart, the respectable print seller, and the Messrs. Walpole, linen-draper, are completely destroyed. The house of Mr. Peverelli, artificial florist, is much injured ; in the Arcade about thirty shops, occupied for the most part by small trades, have been destroyed, There is too much reason to believe that they are uninsured. The flames were not entirely subdued until an advanced hour this day. There were exhibition rooms in the Arcade, one containing a large and valuable selection of wax- works, which were entirely destroyed ; the extensive billiard rooms, situated at the back of Mr. Wiseharts, were also burned. The Lord Mayor and the High Sheriffs were on the spot shortly after the fire broke out, as also a party of the 95th regiment, with the horse and foot police, who rendered most effective assistance : about two o’clock this day, ropes having been placed round a portion of the wall of the house fronting College green, and immediately over the Arcade entrance, the entire front wall pulled into the street, when a fresh volume of flame and smoke burst forth. Nothing could surpass the exertion of the various Insurance Companies –all their engines were promptly in attendance. The Dublin Steam Packet Company sent up an immense engine, with fifty men to work it; they rendered much service. The Arcade building, the property of Mr. Thompson, is insured in three general offices, to the amount of £18,000. We hope the other sufferers by this awful calamity have used equal pre- caution. For a long period, upwards of an hour, a supply of water could not be procured, although the fire-engines of the various insurance offices were in attendance ; the Arcade was entirely destroyed before the firemen were entitled to commence operations. A great quantity of furniture, taken from the houses in the vicinity of the conflagration, is now lying within the large area in front of Trinity College. The business of the banking-house of Boyle, Low, and Pim, has been temporarily transferred to the National Assurance Office. The fronts of the houses in College green are in a most dangerous state ; the Royal Artillery made an attempt to pull them down, by passing a chain through the upper windows; one of their attempts has just failed, in consequence of the chain breaking, but there can be no doubt they will effect their purpose. These fronts are very high. There is every reason to hope that no person has suffered any bodily injury, although a rumour is abroad that three children have been lost. The Artillerymen have succeeded in pulling down the greater part of the front of the Royal Hotel; the rubbish bins nearly covered College-green. It is a source of gratification that the fire did not reach the house of the Royal Irish Academy, in which records and works of great public value are deposited. In a very brief space the splendid building of the Royal Arcade, erected in the year 1819, and which cost £16,000, presented one entire mass of blazing ruins.”
Limerick Chronicle, April 26 1837

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