THOMAS READ SHOP HAS BEEN SAVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
SAVE THOMAS READ SHOP FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
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Over one year ago I stood alongside some historians on the steps of Dublin City Hall and we discussed the state of Thomas Read Shop. We had just attended an enjoyable lunchtime lecture hosted by Dublin City Libraries. I decided to use the power of Twitter and the Old Dublin Town web site to raise awareness of this historic decaying shop. Examining the restoration carried out by the Dublin Civic Trust on Barnwell's shop on Castle Street another fine example of a Dublin's merchants shop, I believed a similar restoration could transform Thomas Read on Parliament Street.
If you are interested in this story and wonder how you can help, can I suggest that you tell your friends about the shop spread the word. Explain to them how important it is to preserve this building for future generations. Can I remind you of wood Quay and the big mistake that was made on this site. |
Thomas Read an 18th century Merchant Townhouse and shop.
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The importance of Thomas Read an 18th century merchant townhouse and shop on Parliament Street, in the shadow of Dublin’s City Hall cannot be stressed enough. A greater awareness exists today for retaining some aspects of our heritage.
This merchant shop fulfilled the needs of all the classes of Dublin people, to some the purchase an expensive sword, or a medical instrument and to others simply items of table cutlery. History is important because it helps us remember we are not perfect and hopefully we can learn from our mistakes of the past. But wait have we learned from our past mistakes? NO! Not as long as Thomas Read shop continues to decay! |
History: Thomas Read & Co. Dublin's oldest shop.
James Read & Co. opened a knife, sword making shop and forge on Blind Quay which was on Lower Exchange Street in the year 1670. James Read had a sister named Elizabeth who was born in 1698 and died in 1742. Elizabeth married Richard Guinness and gave birth to the great Arthur Guinness who went on to found the world famous brewery firm.
James Read died in 1744 and his nephew John Read succeeded him running the business. It was in 1750 that he acquired a property Crane Lane which was then a busy Dublin street. Crane Lane was a direct route from Dame Street to the docks and the Custom House quay. In late 1750 Parliament Street was been laid out, John purchased a plot of land at the rear of the Crane Lane premises; He then used the Parliament Street side for his shop entrance.
John Read died in 1776 and his son Thomas Read inherited the business and the business bore this name up to recently. In 1988 Jack Cowle the last descendant of the read family retired and for the first time in over 200 years the firm passed to a different family the Butlers. Since then the business has closed in 1997 and one of Dublin’s oldest shops lies rotten in need of some tender love and care. Thomas Chippendale supplied the shops display cabinets and it is believed they are still in situ today. It is believed that a Mr O'Regan and his public house holdings owned the building but his business has been liquidated in 2009. Fine examples of swords bearing his name exist and can be viewed at the arms and armor collection of the National museum of Ireland Collins Barracks.
An urgent need to save this shop front, the unique signage and interior for future generations. A good example of restoration can be seen at no 4 Castle Street, the shop name Barnwell a handsome merchant town house and shop. This property is home of the Dublin Civic Trust offices and exhibition centre, the photographs below illustrate what can be achieved.
There are many uses that Thomas Read's property can be put too, while retaining the old world charm of the oldest shop in Dublin.
James Read died in 1744 and his nephew John Read succeeded him running the business. It was in 1750 that he acquired a property Crane Lane which was then a busy Dublin street. Crane Lane was a direct route from Dame Street to the docks and the Custom House quay. In late 1750 Parliament Street was been laid out, John purchased a plot of land at the rear of the Crane Lane premises; He then used the Parliament Street side for his shop entrance.
John Read died in 1776 and his son Thomas Read inherited the business and the business bore this name up to recently. In 1988 Jack Cowle the last descendant of the read family retired and for the first time in over 200 years the firm passed to a different family the Butlers. Since then the business has closed in 1997 and one of Dublin’s oldest shops lies rotten in need of some tender love and care. Thomas Chippendale supplied the shops display cabinets and it is believed they are still in situ today. It is believed that a Mr O'Regan and his public house holdings owned the building but his business has been liquidated in 2009. Fine examples of swords bearing his name exist and can be viewed at the arms and armor collection of the National museum of Ireland Collins Barracks.
An urgent need to save this shop front, the unique signage and interior for future generations. A good example of restoration can be seen at no 4 Castle Street, the shop name Barnwell a handsome merchant town house and shop. This property is home of the Dublin Civic Trust offices and exhibition centre, the photographs below illustrate what can be achieved.
There are many uses that Thomas Read's property can be put too, while retaining the old world charm of the oldest shop in Dublin.
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Do you know?
Q. What has Arthur Guinness and Thomas Read got in common A. James Read (1670) was the founder of Thomas Read. James's sister gave birth to Arthur Guinness of the brewery fame. |
Thomas Read's Parliament Street
Parliament Street with read & Co on the right of the picture.
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Thomas Read & Co founded in 1640 the sign is still over the door.
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Read & Co founded in 1640 by James Read
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Read & Co founded in 1640 by James Read
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Read & Co. Ltd. Cutlers shop frontage in the 70's
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Inside Reads looking out on to Parliament Street 1970's.
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