College Green
Encyclopedia
College Green is a three-sided "square" in the centre of Dublin. On its northern side is a building known today as the Bank of Ireland
which until 1800 was Ireland's Parliament House
. To its east stands Trinity College Dublin, the only constituent college of the University of Dublin. To its south stands a series of 19th-century buildings that are mostly banks. A major street, called Dame Street
, enters the square from the west. College Green has been used as an assembly point for major political rallies. In the mid 1990s, United States President Bill Clinton
addressed a mass crowd, during his Irish visit. President Barack Obama
spoke there in a major address during his visit to Ireland
on May 23, 2011.
The area was once known as Hoggen Green from the Old Norse
word haugr meaning mound
, or barrow
. The cemetery at College Green consisted of several burial mounds, which are thought to have contained the remains of some of the Norse kings of Dublin
. Between Church Lane and Suffolk Street the Norse had their Thing
, an assembly and meeting-place, which was still to be seen in the 17th century. All along College Green, called Hoggen Green by the English, lay their barrows.
Three major public monuments stand in College Green. A 19th century statue of Henry Grattan
, one of the leading members of the old Irish Parliament, stands facing Trinity College (though the statue is badly obscured by planted trees). Further back stands what is generally perceived as a poor statue of patriot Thomas Davis
; because of the deformed body shown and out of scale hands, the statue has occasionally been nicknamed "Frankenstein". Previously, that was the location of one of Dublin's finest equestrian statues, of King "Billy"
(William of Orange) on Horseback. It was blown up by Irish republicans in the 1930s.
Daly's Club
, originally frequented by members of the old Irish Parliament, moved to number 3, College Green, in 1791 and remained there until it closed in the 1820s.
Freemen of the City of Dublin have the right to graze livestock on common ground, which includes College Green.
College Green is no longer a "Green" and now exists as a street running from the front gates of Trinity College Dublin to pedestrian traffic lights close to The Central Bank in Dame Street at the junction of Trinity Street. The houses are numbered starting with 1 on the north side of the Street at Westmoreland Street and TCD and continuing across to the south side and back on the opposite side to TCD and the bottom of Grafton Street. Dubliners often incorrectly identify the street as Dame Street because it continues into Dame Street. College Street which runs from Pearse Street and Westmoreland Street
passing railings on the Northern side of Trinity College Dublin is often thought to be College Green.
Bank of Ireland
The Bank of Ireland is a commercial bank operation in Ireland, which is one of the 'Big Four' in both parts of the island.Historically the premier banking organisation in Ireland, the Bank occupies a unique position in Irish banking history...
which until 1800 was Ireland's Parliament House
Irish Houses of Parliament
The Irish Houses of Parliament , also known as the Irish Parliament House, today called the Bank of Ireland, College Green due to its use as by the bank, was the world's first purpose-built two-chamber parliament house...
. To its east stands Trinity College Dublin, the only constituent college of the University of Dublin. To its south stands a series of 19th-century buildings that are mostly banks. A major street, called Dame Street
Dame Street
Dame Street is a large thoroughfare in Dublin, Ireland. The street is the location of many banks such as AIB, Ulster Bank and the Central Bank of Ireland. It is close to Ireland's oldest university, Trinity College, Dublin, founded in 1592, the entrance to which is a popular meeting spot.During...
, enters the square from the west. College Green has been used as an assembly point for major political rallies. In the mid 1990s, United States President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
addressed a mass crowd, during his Irish visit. President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
spoke there in a major address during his visit to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
on May 23, 2011.
The area was once known as Hoggen Green from the Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
word haugr meaning mound
Mound
A mound is a general term for an artificial heaped pile of earth, gravel, sand, rocks, or debris. The most common use is in reference to natural earthen formation such as hills and mountains, particularly if they appear artificial. The term may also be applied to any rounded area of topographically...
, or barrow
Tumulus
A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...
. The cemetery at College Green consisted of several burial mounds, which are thought to have contained the remains of some of the Norse kings of Dublin
Early Scandinavian Dublin
The First Viking Age lasted from 795, when Viking raids on Irish settlements began, until 902, when the ruling Norse dynasty was expelled from Dublin. This period of Irish history is characterised by a series of conflicts involving the native Irish and two Viking factions that the Irish called...
. Between Church Lane and Suffolk Street the Norse had their Thing
Thing (assembly)
A thing was the governing assembly in Germanic and introduced into some Celtic societies, made up of the free people of the community and presided by lawspeakers, meeting in a place called a thingstead...
, an assembly and meeting-place, which was still to be seen in the 17th century. All along College Green, called Hoggen Green by the English, lay their barrows.
Three major public monuments stand in College Green. A 19th century statue of Henry Grattan
Henry Grattan
Henry Grattan was an Irish politician and member of the Irish House of Commons and a campaigner for legislative freedom for the Irish Parliament in the late 18th century. He opposed the Act of Union 1800 that merged the Kingdoms of Ireland and Great Britain.-Early life:Grattan was born at...
, one of the leading members of the old Irish Parliament, stands facing Trinity College (though the statue is badly obscured by planted trees). Further back stands what is generally perceived as a poor statue of patriot Thomas Davis
Thomas Osborne Davis (Irish politician)
Thomas Osborne Davis was a revolutionary Irish writer who was the chief organizer and poet of the Young Ireland movement.-Early life:...
; because of the deformed body shown and out of scale hands, the statue has occasionally been nicknamed "Frankenstein". Previously, that was the location of one of Dublin's finest equestrian statues, of King "Billy"
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
(William of Orange) on Horseback. It was blown up by Irish republicans in the 1930s.
Daly's Club
Daly's Club
Daly's Club, with premises known as Daly's Club House, was a gentlemen's club in Dublin, Ireland, a centre of social and political life between its origins in about 1750 and its end in 1823.-History:...
, originally frequented by members of the old Irish Parliament, moved to number 3, College Green, in 1791 and remained there until it closed in the 1820s.
Freemen of the City of Dublin have the right to graze livestock on common ground, which includes College Green.
College Green is no longer a "Green" and now exists as a street running from the front gates of Trinity College Dublin to pedestrian traffic lights close to The Central Bank in Dame Street at the junction of Trinity Street. The houses are numbered starting with 1 on the north side of the Street at Westmoreland Street and TCD and continuing across to the south side and back on the opposite side to TCD and the bottom of Grafton Street. Dubliners often incorrectly identify the street as Dame Street because it continues into Dame Street. College Street which runs from Pearse Street and Westmoreland Street
Westmoreland Street
Westmoreland Street is a street in the southern city-centre of Dublin, Ireland. It is one of the two broad avenues - along with D'Olier Street - that converge at their northern ends at O'Connell Bridge over the River Liffey...
passing railings on the Northern side of Trinity College Dublin is often thought to be College Green.