The city wall on the south side of Cook Street is the most impressive and tangible standing section of Dublin’s defensive circuit.
The first Hiberno-Norse stone wall around Dublin, constructed around 1100, marked a significant development in the city’s defences.
Under the rule of Irish king Muirchertach Ua Briain, the earthen banks were replaced by a robust stone wall, expanding the city’s defended area westward.
This wall, made of local limestone blocks, was about 7 metres high and between 1.5 to 3 metres wide.
The wall incorporated at least three documented gates: St Mary’s Gate to the east, St Nicholas’s Gate to the south, and the western gate. It likely also included access to the River Liffey on the northern side.
Significant portions of the wall remain today, particularly at Cook Street and beneath the Dublin Civic Offices.
During subsequent periods, such as the Anglo-Norman invasions of the late 12th century, the walls were tested and further strengthened.
This period also saw the construction of Dublin Castle, a key fortification.
In the 13th century, further defensive expansions occurred, including a northern extension wall toward the River Liffey, reflecting the city’s growing need for protection.
Excavations at various sites, including Wood Quay and Bridge Street, have revealed remnants of these extensive fortifications.
To conserve the segment of the city walls that remain at Cook Street and enhance the appearance of the National Monument, the council has confirmed that a specialist condition survey of the wall was commissioned by Dublin City Council.
This survey was carried out with funding from the Community Monuments Fund in 2023.
A spokesperson said that a specialist team of conservation experts, led by 7L Architects along with Archaeology and Built Heritage Ltd. and conservation contractor Oldstone Ltd., has been appointed to carry out the repair works recommended in the specialist survey.
“Given the city park context, the works are being project managed by Parks, Biodiversity and Landscape Services and are overseen by an expert steering group from the Archaeology, Conservation and Heritage Section,” they added.
The works, which have Ministerial Consent, include repointing and replacing missing capping stones, graffiti removal, repair and painting of modern metal gates at St Audoen’s Arch and the Sallyport, cutting back buddleia, and treatment of vegetation with ecoplugs.
The conservation works commenced in September and will be completed in December 2024.
The works are supported by the City Walls and Defences Conservation Plan (2005), which provides further details on the history of the city walls.
Dublin City Council also recently appointed an integrated design team to examine and undertake a structural and condition survey of another standing section of the city wall circuit at Ship Street.
This team will develop proposals to conserve the wall at Ship Street within a new public space and seek to create links with other parts of the circuit, including Dublin Castle.
