The Dublin Industrial Estate in Glasnevin has a quiet but significant presence in the north Dublin landscape. At first glance it seems like an empty space populated by an array of uninviting single and two storey warehousing. But these buildings each hold within them a rich variety of stories dating back to the industrial estates inception 60 years ago. The tour is led by artists Dorothy Smith and Jackie Bourke. Together they developed a creative project called ‘Neither Time nor Beauty are Absent’, capturing the subtle aesthetic appeal and vitality of this space.

It was originally built to meet the utilitarian needs of businesses including Rank Xerox and Gestenter. Advertisements described it as a ‘prestige garden estate’ – a reference to the Garden City model of suburbanization. These simple factory units are quite adaptable and today support a huge diversity of uses including; Pentecostal Churches, artists’ studios, coffee roasters, microbreweries, recording studios and cafés, alongside steel fabricators, printing firms, car mechanics and DIY stores. But the industrial estate stands on the cusp of significant change. Under a new Dublin City Council Masterplan, it will be developed as a mixed-use high-density residential area.

The tour is an opportunity to visit the industrial estate at this moment of transition and change. As we wander we will explore the industrial heritage and contemporary vibrancy which is knit into the fabric of this unassuming space. The poet Rue McQuinan will read poetry they have written about the estate during the walk, which finishes at the Glasnevin food market.

This walking tour was selected through the Open Call (Open to All) as part of this year’s Open House Dublin programme.

Meeting Point: Footpath outside Yeeros Glasnevin, 137a Slaney Close, D11FC79

Pre-Book Only

Prams/buggies permitted

This is a walking tour along footpaths which do not all have dished kerbs. There are no pedestrian crossings, there is one road which has moderate traffic, otherwise there is only light car traffic on the roads we will cross.