Isolde’s Tower on Exchange Street Lower was discovered in 1993, during work on the renovation of the Temple Bar area. During excavations on the site of five demolished Georgian houses, archaeologists found the base of the Tower, which served as the north-east corner tower of the 13th century city wall of Dublin. Prior to the demolition of the Georgian houses, they had been occupied for a period by a group calling itself the Society against the Destruction of Dublin, joined by Green Party Councillor Ciaran Cuffe. The find below the Georgian homes sparked huge media interest, and it was estimated by historians and archaeologists that the tower had once stood at 30-40ft, prior to being demolished sometime in the 17th century.
The firm of architects responsible for demolishing the Georgian houses and building apartment blocks in the location, Gilroy and McMahon, promised to incorporate the archaeologists findings into their project. This fantastic video from the Dublin City Walls App gives some idea of how the incredible tower may have appeared.
True to their word, the remains of the tower were incorporated into the apartment complex of the same name. However one of my pet hates about this part of town is the manner in which they are almost always covered up by bins connected to the complex, as this image shows. It seems a real pity that such a gem of an archaeological find is blocked from view.
what a bunch of barbarians
Slight over reaction there…
Being honest there isn’t a whole lot to see of the site. To most people you are just looking down a hole in the basement and most people might not even recognise the design on the gate for what it is.
Its a problem for all archaeology I fear,….how to make find engaging.
An even worse hole in the ground however is the former building at the corner of Exchange Street and Essex Street which has inexplicably remained a vacant eyesore filled with litter for about 20 years now.
I live here in Isoldes Tower, interesting history and pictures. Thanks for the write-up.
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Why is it called Isolde’s Tower? Does it have anything to do with the story of Tristan & Isolde?