Case Study: 53 & 54 Upper Mount St

As with Merrion Square, the land on Upper Mount Street was part of the Fitzwilliam Estate. Between 1829 and 1831, nineteen leases were granted for Upper Mount Street. The main developers for the street were Mr Osburne and David Courtney, although the building leases for nos. 53 and 54 were taken by the builders Arthur Williams and Gilbert Cockburne on 25th March and 26th April 1830.

As the land is low-lying, a lot of preparation was needed and the filling was provided by the Canal Company and the Ballast Board. The 7th Viscount Fitzwilliam also provided the lessees with stone from his own quarries at a reduced price, and by 1834 all of the houses on Upper Mount Street had been built.

The attraction of these terraces of brown and red brick houses is emphasised by St Stephen's Church, also known as the Pepper Canister. The building of this impressive Greek revival style church began in 1824 by John Bowden. It frames the Grand Canal end of Upper Mount Street, giving it an added sense of charm.