Moore Street has long held a special place in the hearts of Irish people. Whether playing host to its local customers or to the generations of country folk who visit the area at Christmas, the market is as synonymous with Dublin as coddle or a pint of porter. It has given rise to some of the city's most vibrant characters and has witnessed pivotal moments in Irish history. It was here that the redoubtable Biddy Mulligan was dreamt up, where the leaders of the 1916 Rising made their last stand and where businessman Bill Cullen learnt his trade. Yet for all that, the street was once just part of a much larger market - home to a myriad of second-hand clothes dealers, furniture brokers, poulterers, rabbit sellers, butchers and vegetable traders, all plying their trade in the narrow lanes and alleys. For the first time, 'Moore Street - Dublin's Market District' recounts the history of the entire market area, charting its growth and development since the eighteenth century - the real 'heart of the rowel'.
As well as detailed research on the area, Barry has also interviewed many people associated with the market about their experience.