Before After
4 Castle Street was purchased by the Trust in late 1996. Since when it has over-seen the structural stabilisation of the building (Spring1997) , the installation of services (Autumn 1997) the interior fitting out (1998) and finally the refurbishment of the basement and return (1999). The entire building is now a busy and vibrant office and exhibition space for over twenty people, shared by the Dublin Civic Trust with 'Historic Heart of Dublin Ltd.'
In 1995 an application for demolition and replacement with 10 apartments was granted. The building was saved due to the intervention of An Taisce and is now a registered Historic Monument.
The party wall with No. 3 contains the remains of an early timber framed house. This is therefore the oldest known remnant of any Dublin domestic dwelling above ground level. One of the massive timber beams with the infill brick panel remains visible within the adjoining office complex.
However the main structure of No. 4 dates to the early 19th century. It is a fine example of a shop at ground floor with separate access to residential accommodation on the upper floors. The shop front with its Greek Revival pilasters is largely original, the upper elevation is of yellow Dolphin's Barn brick. The timber sliding sash windows on the main elevation (with the exception of one) are all original.
We know that at the turn of the century 'Stembridge's Groceries occupied the shop, and in the early 1920s, T.H. Barnwell moved his boot making and shoe repair business from Werbergh Street to No. 4 Castle Street. Mr Barnwell's son (also T.H. Barnwell) followed him into the business and ran the shop until the mid 1980s.
The upper three floors were used as residential accommodation, with over thirty people living in the house at one time in the mid 20th century. The last resident moved from the third floor in the early 1980s.
