Irish Town is at the commercial heart of the city of Gibraltar. In the period when Gibraltar was Spanish, from 1462-1704, the street was called the Calle de Santa Ana. An image of St Anne was venerated in the chapel at the southern end of the street, which was converted into the Convent of La Merced in 1581. It stood at the corner of Irish Town and Market Lane, on the site of today’s Cloister Building. There was also a convent for nuns, founded 1587, the garden of which extended as far as the Calle de Santa Ana This was the Convento de Santa Clara. The garden was on the site of the Sacarello coffee shop, winery and restaurant.
Gibraltar was taken from Spain by the Anglo-Dutch force on the 4th August 1704. The convent of Santa Clara was abandoned by the nuns and the convent of La Merced was taken over by the Royal Navy in 1720 as a storehouse and apartments for the victualling clerks.
In due course, the street became known as Irish Town. The original Irish residents were probably Irish women immigrants who came to Gibraltar in late 1727 and early 1728. They were sent out to provide female company for the troops in the garrison of Gibraltar. As a result, Irish Town acquired a reputation as a street of ill repute.
The location of the street, close to the port, made it particularly attractive for commerce, and so the street was soon taken over by the merchant class. The Irish women became a distant memory but the name ‘Irish Town’ stuck.
A bustling commercial Irish Town, in the early 20th century, included tobacco factories, coffee roasting works, and many shipping offices. The street was paved with wooden cobbles. The character of the street changed in the latter 20th century when the street was pedestrianised. In addition to its traditional activities and its many shops, the street embraced a new leisure and gastronomic character. Irish Town became the focus of visitors and tourists alike.
Gibraltar was taken from Spain by the Anglo-Dutch force on the 4th August 1704. The convent of Santa Clara was abandoned by the nuns and the convent of La Merced was taken over by the Royal Navy in 1720 as a storehouse and apartments for the victualling clerks.
In due course, the street became known as Irish Town. The original Irish residents were probably Irish women immigrants who came to Gibraltar in late 1727 and early 1728. They were sent out to provide female company for the troops in the garrison of Gibraltar. As a result, Irish Town acquired a reputation as a street of ill repute.
The location of the street, close to the port, made it particularly attractive for commerce, and so the street was soon taken over by the merchant class. The Irish women became a distant memory but the name ‘Irish Town’ stuck.
A bustling commercial Irish Town, in the early 20th century, included tobacco factories, coffee roasting works, and many shipping offices. The street was paved with wooden cobbles. The character of the street changed in the latter 20th century when the street was pedestrianised. In addition to its traditional activities and its many shops, the street embraced a new leisure and gastronomic character. Irish Town became the focus of visitors and tourists alike.
Irish Town is at the commercial heart of the city of Gibraltar. In the period when Gibraltar was Spanish, from 1462-1704, the street was called the Calle de Santa Ana. An image of St Anne was venerated in the chapel at the southern end of the street, which was converted into the Convent of La Merced in 1581. It stood at the corner of Irish Town and Market Lane, on the site of today’s Cloister Building. There was also a convent for nuns, founded 1587, the garden of which extended as far as the Calle de Santa Ana This was the Convento de Santa Clara. The garden was on the site of the Sacarello coffee shop, winery and restaurant.
Gibraltar was taken from Spain by the Anglo-Dutch force on the 4th August 1704. The convent of Santa Clara was abandoned by the nuns and the convent of La Merced was taken over by the Royal Navy in 1720 as a storehouse and apartments for the victualling clerks.
In due course, the street became known as Irish Town. The original Irish residents were probably Irish women immigrants who came to Gibraltar in late 1727 and early 1728. They were sent out to provide female company for the troops in the garrison of Gibraltar. As a result, Irish Town acquired a reputation as a street of ill repute.
The location of the street, close to the port, made it particularly attractive for commerce, and so the street was soon taken over by the merchant class. The Irish women became a distant memory but the name ‘Irish Town’ stuck.
A bustling commercial Irish Town, in the early 20th century, included tobacco factories, coffee roasting works, and many shipping offices. The street was paved with wooden cobbles. The character of the street changed in the latter 20th century when the street was pedestrianised. In addition to its traditional activities and its many shops, the street embraced a new leisure and gastronomic character. Irish Town became the focus of visitors and tourists alike.
Gibraltar was taken from Spain by the Anglo-Dutch force on the 4th August 1704. The convent of Santa Clara was abandoned by the nuns and the convent of La Merced was taken over by the Royal Navy in 1720 as a storehouse and apartments for the victualling clerks.
In due course, the street became known as Irish Town. The original Irish residents were probably Irish women immigrants who came to Gibraltar in late 1727 and early 1728. They were sent out to provide female company for the troops in the garrison of Gibraltar. As a result, Irish Town acquired a reputation as a street of ill repute.
The location of the street, close to the port, made it particularly attractive for commerce, and so the street was soon taken over by the merchant class. The Irish women became a distant memory but the name ‘Irish Town’ stuck.
A bustling commercial Irish Town, in the early 20th century, included tobacco factories, coffee roasting works, and many shipping offices. The street was paved with wooden cobbles. The character of the street changed in the latter 20th century when the street was pedestrianised. In addition to its traditional activities and its many shops, the street embraced a new leisure and gastronomic character. Irish Town became the focus of visitors and tourists alike.
