Hammond Lane, Dublin

Hammond Lane
Hammond Lane, looking east, in 2012
Interactive map of Hammond Lane
Native nameLána an Chrochaire (Irish)
Former namesHangman Lane, Hamon Lane
LocationDublin, Ireland
Postal code
D07
Coordinates53°20′49″N 6°16′37″W / 53.3469°N 6.27695°W / 53.3469; -6.27695
East endChurch Street
South endLincoln Lane

Hammond Lane (Irish: Lána an Chrochaire)[1] is a street in Dublin which connects Church Street to the east and Lincoln Lane to the west.

History

Hammond Lane was previously known as Hangman Lane, and later Hamon Lane, before the name Hammond Lane was applied.[2] Hangman Lane first appears on maps from 1698,[3] and the name possibly derived from the route condemned prisoners would take to be hanged in Stoneybatter.[4]

In 1878, Dublin's worst industrial accident occurred on Hammond Lane, when a boiler exploded and killed 14 people. The accident happened at the site of Messrs Strong, a large foundry and ironworks in the nineteenth century. In the afternoon of 27 April 1878, a large explosion was heard, and panic spread in the area. The steam boiler at Strong's foundry had exploded, partially demolishing the front wall of the foundry. As the explosion took place around 1:30pm, many of the employees were on their lunch break. Duffy's public house, across from the foundry was destroyed in the explosion, and killing Patrick Duffy, the publican, and two of his children. Two tenements were also destroyed in the blast. An engineer's report cited lack of maintenance of the boiler, and that corrosion had weakened it.[5]

Hammond Lane Foundry Company was founded in 1902 and originally located on Hammond Lane, but later moved to Sir John Rogerson's Quay, and then to Pigeon House Road, Ringsend.[6]

The large site along the northern side of the street has been subject to archaeological excavations,[7] and been earmarked for development as part of the larger Four Courts complex encompassing a family court. However the site remained empty and undeveloped for many years,[5] with work commencing on site in 2024.[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ "Lána an Chrochaire". Sráid Ainm. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  2. ↑ Clerkin, Paul (2001). Dublin Street Names. Dublin: Gill & MacMillan. p. 85. ISBN 0717132048.
  3. ↑ McCready, C.T. (1892). Dublin Street Names: Dated and Explained. Dublin: Carraig Books. p. 47. ISBN 1850680000. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  4. ↑ Cannon, Ruth (28 April 2025). "Then and Now: Hammond Lane, 1916-2025 - Sharing the History of the Four Courts, Dublin". ruthcannon.com. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 Fallon, Donal (2022). "Church Street". Three castles burning: a history of Dublin in twelve streets. Clonskeagh, Dublin: New Island Books. pp. 180–201. ISBN 9781848408722.
  6. ↑ "Hammond Lane Foundry Company". CIÉ Group Archives Catalogue. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "Dublin City Archaeological Archive/3-15 Hammond Lane/161-168 Church Street (05E0765) Collection". Irish Archives Resource. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Dublin Family Courts PPP". NDFA. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "Hammond Lane Dublin Family Courts Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project launched to market today". gov.ie. Retrieved 27 May 2026.