Doors of Dublin

While in Dublin we stayed at the MEC hostel north of the river Liffy. Although the South end of Dublin is geneally the area know for its Georgian architecture, our hostel was located in a Georgian mansion nestled in a small pocket of Georgian homes remaining on the North end. 

And while we were there Melinda's eyes were caught by the variety and color of the doors on the houses. 

The pictures in this post were all taken on the wee city street that we stayed on. 

The doors are colorful and unique with beautiful fan lights above.

They are a vestige of the Georgian period (~1714-1830) during which Dublin was the second largest and wealthiest city in the British Empire after London. 

Georgian mansions were built to strict architectural guidelines emphasizing symmetry and uniformity. 

Georigan homes generally have simple brick facades, in order to obtain greater uniformity when viewed in relation to other buildings along the street or square.

Thus, the regularity of the street or square's appearance was viewed as more important than the expression of the individual home owner. 

 In Georgian times, in accordance with the concept of uniformity, the doors of these homes would have all been painted the same color, although today they are the most expressive and unique element on their exterior.

Some theorize the doors may have all been black. 

Thank goodness for color!

And more color!

Because of the simplicity of their exterior, you wouldn't necessarily expect to find any great shakes on the inside, right?

Surprisingly,  many of these homes have magnificent plasterwork ceilings, as well as incredibly ornate fireplaces and stairways. 

In the earlier part of the 20th century, with a desire to erase the remnants of their colonial past, entire city blocks of these beautiful Georgian structures were demolished in Dublin to make way for modern office buildings. 

Thankfully the tides have shifted and there is now great appreciation for these gems of the past. 

It was a treat to wander the Dublin streets and look at the Georgian architecture....

And entertaining to compare and contrast the characteristics of the individual doors.....

And marvel at their personal histories....

And ponder what architectural gems may be on the other side.....

And wonder who lived behind those doors fifty years ago...

And a hundred years ago. 

And who lives there now. 

And if only doors could tell stories about the people who have passed through them...

And the things that have happened on the streets before them...

(Wow, that would be noisy! If all the doors were talking all at the same time, and they'd go on endlessly about all the stuff they'd seen... What a racket that would be! But kinda cool, too, don't you think?)