Sweny's Pharmacy

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Sweny's Pharmacy
Sweny's Pharmacy, Lincoln Place, Dublin.jpg
Sweny's Pharmacy on Bloomsday, 2020 (with the Davenport Hotel in the background)
Open street map central dublin.svg
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Location in central Dublin
General information
TypeVarious
Architectural style Victorian
Address1 Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, D02 VP65
Coordinates 53°20′31″N6°15′02″W / 53.34188°N 6.25056°W / 53.34188; -6.25056
Inaugurated1847 [1] [2]
Design and construction
Architect(s)unknown

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.

Contents

History

Built in 1847 as a GP's consulting room and later adapted to include an apothecary, the building was 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). [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 noted as running Sweny's. [5]

Ulysses

Sweny's Lemon soap Sweny Soap (Ulysses).JPG
Sweny's Lemon soap

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

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References

  1. Fitzgerald, Genevieve (13 January 2017). "Dublin Treasures - Sweny's Pharmacy". dublin.ie. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "News". sweny.ie. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Sweny, 1 Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, DUBLIN". Buildings of Ireland. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Sweny's Pharmacy". Atlas Obscura . 31 October 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  5. 1 2 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.
  6. "News". sweny.ie. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  7. "1860 – Turkish Baths, Lincoln Place, Dublin". Archiseek - Irish Architecture. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2023.