Atkinson House New Street D8

jheneaiko

Does anyone know anything about this building?? Google search only tells me it was renovated in 2003

spurious

It was built by a silk merchant called Richard Atkinson, who was an Alderman and Mayor of Dublin in 1860-61 and quite a philanthropist. It was to house widows and elderly spinsters.

ollaetta

Up until the renovation there was an old engraving on the stone lintel above the door "Asylum for Aged Females". It disappeared under a big name plate for the refurbished Atkinson House.

Edit:

found this reference in a summary of old alms houses:

ASYLUM FOR AGED FEMALES, 1857.
Founded by Alderman Richard Atkinson, who is described in the Directories as a “Silk Throwster,” this asylum is very well managed; the house is at 21 New Street, and is for the reception of “Widows or Single Women” of the age of 60 or upwards, who shall have, or be guaranteed in writing, a weekly income of not less than six shillings during residence in the Asylum, etc.; the endowment for this Asylum is fairly considerable, most of which is invested in Railway Debenture Stock; the Trustees of this Asylum are the ground landlords of Griffith Barracks, late Wellington Barracks, from which an income of £64 19s. 10d. is derived annually.

jheneaiko

Interesting. What is it used for now?

spurious

This says it was refurbished for long term homeless people.

L1011

Considering that's what it was built for, it's interesting to see the council keeping it rather than trying to make money off it.