Building

The National Monuments Service's description

Old City Music Hall site which was opened in October 1741 by printer and publisher William Neal. Prior to the opening of the Music Hall the Bull's Head Tavern in Fishamble Street had served as the main music venue for Dublin (Somerville-Large 1996, 136). The Music Hall building designed by Cassels was decorated in white and gold, and stood across the road from the Bull's Head Tavern. On the 8th of April 1741, the first rehearsal of the Messiah took place (ibid.). Music Hall annotated M H on Rocques 1756 Map of Dublin.
Present remains at at Number 20 Fishamble Street described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) as a; 'single-bay two-storey remains of former music hall, built c.1742, now entrance to apartment development forecourt. Stepped smooth rendered parapet with moulded masonry cornice. Situated on east side and centre of Fishamble Street' (NIAH Reg. No. 50020501; https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/50020501/fishamble-street-music-hall-20-fishamble-street-dublin-8-dublin).

See attached 19th century drawing of the Old Music Hall on Fishamble Street taken from London: Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 1884. Photograph c. 1967 of Neal's Music Hall which was reused as Kennan & Sons Ltd. Iron Works, courtesy National Library of Ireland. Rocque's Map of Dublin showing the location of the Music Hall annotated MH

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 6 October 2021

References

Somerville-Large, P. 1996 Dublin: The fair city. London. Sinclair-Stevenson.