TALL CHIMNEY WITH OBSERVATION DECKS [SMITHFIELD DUBLIN]

The old Jameson Distillery Chimney tower, and its observation deck, was closed to the public for many years due to health and safety concerns but I had been lead to believe that it had been reopened. When I visited today it appeared to be closed and when I visited the associated website I noticed the following message: “Please note the Chimney viewing tower is closed for repair and will reopen again shortly”.

There were a number of well-intentioned attempts to redevelop Smithfield Market as an attractive urban space and an interesting tourist destination and they all failed to a greater or lesser degree. In my opinion the underlying problem has been anti-social behaviour and this was especially evident when the horse market was active. I had friends who actually owned apartments here but they really had no option but to sell-up and move on because of location specific problems.

Smithfield Market was laid out in the mid 17th century as a marketplace. Until recently the square was lined with inner city 'farm yards' housing livestock. Smithfield was recently rejuvenated under the HARP (Historic Area Rejuvenation Plan). Contemporary architecture and twelve 26.5 metre gas lighting masts, each with a 2- metre flame, now flank the square. Although the flames are rarely lit [this is a typical failure], the lighting mast shades are regularly to be seen in different colours, reflecting cultural events throughout the year.

Up until recently the smell of horses could still be experienced at Smithfield at the Horse Market (held on every first Sunday of the month) and the sight and sounds on these Sundays gave an impression of what Smithfield was once like. To be honest the horse market was a horrible experience and I was always unhappy about the way the horses were treated by the sellers and buyers. The one good outcome was the closure of the horse market.

The old Jameson Distillery Chimney tower, and its observation deck, was closed to the public for many years due to health and safety concerns.

When I visited today it appeared to be closed and when I visited the associated website I noticed the following message: “Please note the Chimney viewing tower is closed for repair and will reopen again shortly”