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Sunlight Chambers, Dublin

 

Sunlight Chambers, one of Dublin's most unusual buildings has also been described as "one of the most passed-by buildings in Dublin," despite its prominent location on the Liffey River back-to-back to Temple Bar and despite  its unusual decor.

And, while often passed by, it was not a mystery to GarryRF, George G and Professor Abe, who recognized it.

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And it has an unusual history to match its polychrome friezes. Resembling an Italian palazzo, it was actually built in 1902 as a local office for Lever Brothers, then a British soap company. The building's name comes from its most-popular soap product of the time.

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The decorative elements (the building is quite plain inside) are mostly glazed ceramic, commissioned from sculptor and potter Conrad Dressler. Casual observers usually assume they show classical themes, but a close look reveals that the subject is actually hygiene and soap. The panels are full of people laundering clothes, making and delivering laundry products and the like.

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Definitely worth a stop-and-look; it's at Parliament Street, at the foot of the Grattan Bridge. Across the bridge, Parliament becomes Capel Street, with lots of interesting food choices.

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The best part of every trip is realizing that it has upset your expectations

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