Sweny's Pharmacy
| Sweny's Pharmacy | |
|---|---|
 Sweny's Pharmacy on Bloomsday, 2020 (with the Davenport Hotel in the background) | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Shop |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Address | 1 Lincoln Place Dublin 2 D02 VP65 |
| Coordinates | 53°20′31″N 6°15′02″W / 53.34188°N 6.25056°W |
| Inaugurated | 1847[1][2] |
Sweny's Pharmacy, or F. W. Sweny & Co. Ltd. is a former Victorian-era pharmacy, now a new and used book store, a Joycean cultural centre, hosting daily group readings of Joyce’s work and supporting new aspiring writers, in Dublin, Ireland most notable for appearing in James Joyce's 1922 novel Ulysses. The pharmacy is one of many Joycean landmarks scattered throughout Dublin,[3] and has become a literary tourist attraction, particularly on Bloomsday (16 June) when fans of Joyce visit the premises to celebrate the book.
History
[edit]Built in 1847 as a GP's consulting room, the building was later adapted to include an apothecary; it eventually opened as a 'dispensing chemist' named "F.W. Sweny and Co (Limited)" in 1853 when pharmacist Frederick William Sweny took over.[4][2] The Sweny family who operated the pharmacy also lived in the house to which it is attached.[3] The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage notes that a "Mark Sweny, M.D., general medical practitioner and accoucheur" operated from the site as of 1862.[3]
In the nineteenth century, Lincoln Place was also the site of a Turkish baths and a number of medical facilities (including an ophthalmic hospital) and later the Dublin Dental University Hospital.[3] Sweny's chemist and apothecary would have served supplies, including soap, to those who used these services.[3]
President of France Emmanuel Macron visited Sweny's in August 2021.[2][5]
As of February 2022, PJ Murphy was reportedly running Sweny's.[5]
Ulysses
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In the book, the character of Leopold Bloom buys a bar of lemon soap while waiting for a prescription.[4] Lemon soap can still be bought in the shop as a souvenir.[6]
See also
[edit]
- Turkish Baths, Lincoln Place, a nearby establishment which also appeared in Ulysses (demolished in 1970)[7]
- Merrion Hall
- Oriel House, Westland Row
References
[edit]- ^ Fitzgerald, Genevieve (13 January 2017). "Dublin Treasures - Sweny's Pharmacy". dublin.ie. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "News". sweny.ie. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Sweny, 1 Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, DUBLIN". Buildings of Ireland. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Sweny's Pharmacy". Atlas Obscura. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ a b Kane, Robbie; Dillon, Brian (2 February 2022). "Watch: Historical Sweny's chemist celebrates 100 years of James Joyce's Ulysses with special readings". dublinlive.ie. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "News". sweny.ie. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "1860 – Turkish Baths, Lincoln Place, Dublin". Archiseek - Irish Architecture. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
