Re: Re: Smithfield, Dublin

I think there are many issues with Smithfield, several of which we’ve chewed over before, but I think the core issue is that it doesn’t have a function.

Smithfield was conceived and built as a market square, if you take that function away, it’s hardly surprising that what’s left is just a vast emptyness.

Apparently Smithfield originally hosted a live cattle market on Mondays and Thursdays in addition to the horse fair which originally was held weekly on Thursday afternoons. That might be all a bit Dodge City for today, but you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that a market square needs a market.

I wouldn’t have a problem even with a flea market just to get things going. Half of gunter’s wardrobe was acquired in various flea markets, as well as the actual wardrobe, now that I think of it.