This Study Reveals The Prettiest And The Ugliest Places In Dublin

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Analysis carried out by architect Motti Ruimy and urban planner Paul Kearns for the Mapping Beauty project has determined the prettiest and ugliest places in Dublin.

Conducted in collaboration with the School of Geography UCD, the study aims to improve the aesthetic of Dublin’s streets and in the meantime figure out what makes a pretty place ‘pretty’ for the Dubs.

The factors taken into account include the amount of vehicular traffic, the percentage of land zoned as open space, the amount of vacant/derelict land in the area, the number of protected structures, and the number of street trees.

Ugly buildings and litter, for example, did not affect the results.

Here are the top three prettiest and top three ugliest places in Dublin.

The prettiest

1. The South Georgian Core

In at number one is the South Georgian district located in Dublin 2 and consisting of the areas surrounding Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam Square.

Once the addresses of Dublin’s middle-class professionals, it’s now predominantly offices and is undergoing a regeneration due to a recent increase in abandoned buildings.

Despite this, the aesthetic of the area is still top notch and beats all the rest of the new and swanky business districts which have sprung up during the Celtic Tiger days.

2. Portobello East

A picturesque part of Dublin complete with canal and gorgeous architecture such as the Portobello House and La Touche Bridge.

Located in Dublin 8 just south of the city centre, it’s also a popular residential area for young professionals with the vast majority of the houses built in the Georgian style.

3. The Blessington Basin

The former city reservoir, now noted for its good looks, is oftentimes referred to as Dublin’s ‘secret garden’.

The Blessington Basin, a park made up of mostly of water, is only a 10-minute walk from O’ Connell Street.

Again, the architecture here is hailing from Britain, this time in the Victorian style.

The ugliest

1. Usher’s Island

Along the quays you’ll find Usher’s Island, home to the famous James Joyce house and the setting for his story ‘The Dead’.

It’s a part of the north inner city area with the Dublin 8 address, and its lack of street trees and green areas are supposedly what makes it ugly, according to the study.

2. Cork Street

Also found in Dublin 8, Cork Street comes in at the second most ugliest place in Dublin.

It’s named after the Earl of Cork as it was once an ancient highway connecting Dublin and the West of Ireland.

Nowadays it’s mostly a residential area evidently lacking in the aesthetic department.

3. The Coombe

Very close to Cork Street, The Coombe, is a part of south inner city Dublin and was originally a hollow where a river called The Coombe stream once ran.

Now lacking in areas of open water, it’s generally known for The Coombe Maternity Hospital.