St. James's Gate, Medieval city gate entrance in Dublin, Ireland
St. James's Gate was a medieval city gate in Dublin located at the intersection of St. James Street and the southern quays, marking the historic western entrance to the walled city. The structure functioned as a control point for goods entering the city.
The original gate from the 12th century functioned as a toll station for goods entering Dublin. It was demolished in 1734 to improve access to the expanding city.
The gate's name comes from the 12th-century church and parish of St. James. A holy well also dedicated to St. James nearby hosted a long-running summer festival. The gate was the traditional departure point for pilgrims walking from Dublin to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.
The archway stands on James's Street, off the south quays, west of Dublin's centre. The passage is open to pedestrians, but the signs on the pillars give a maximum height of 3.5 metres for vehicles. The stone frames beside the arch read 59 and 2010.
Arthur Guinness signed an unusually long lease for a property at this location in 1759, laying the foundation for one of the world's most famous breweries. The estate, which originally held malting houses and stables, became the starting point for a beer brand that persists today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,645 contributors worldwide.
