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 used-book store, 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
[edit]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]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- 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.