From queens to rebels – a street packed with history
Known as one of Dublin’s most historic shopping streets, Moore Street market is an open-air fruit and veg marketplace that takes place Wednesday to Saturday every week. However, its traditions are dying out.
Some of the traders on Moore Street have been operating there long before the introduction of major retail centres such as the ILAC and Jervis.
First established in the 18th century, Moore Street remains as one of the last trading streets left in the city.
It was described by Noel Carroll of Dublin Cooperation in 1973 as “more than a street… it’s a culture” – and after many years, that description remains accurate. But sadly, this is changing fast.
For example, one tradition embedded deep in the history of Moore Street is the yearly crowning of the Queen of Moore Street, an accolade given to one of the female traders in the market.
“That hasn’t run since covid… and the street has changed hugely since then. It’s just not the same anymore”, one vendor told The Liberty.
As we move toward a cashless world, Moore Street has been taking the hit.
As people look to online shopping and spending their money with mass food producers, the art of street trading has diminished.
Many of the street’s vendors still operate on a cash-only system. Meanwhile, the vendors who have adopted card payments struggle to turn a profit due to the processing charges, occasionally having to increase the price by 50 cents to cover the cost.
For many of the previous winners, their whole lives were centred around the market, having been born, raised and made their living on the cobbles.
The Queen of Moore Street crown was not based on turnover, but was a form of recognition for helpful, warm and welcoming vendors who were the epitome of what the market stands for.
May Gorman, who was crowned Queen of Moore St in 2005, began trading as a fishmonger at a very early age until her retirement in 2009, when she was 88 years of age.
Carmel Mooney was crowned in 2013, a woman who stood firm on the street selling fruit and veg for over 70 years.
Carmel was a third-generation trader, having learned from her mother Bridie and Grandmother Margaret meaning the family’s stand was operating from the 1800s.
Perhaps the most recognised Queen of them all would be Rosanna Johnson, who was known as the eternal Queen of Moore Steet.
Selling from the age of 12 and opening her own stand at the age of 17, from 1908 Rosanna sold vegetables, fruit and flowers.
Due to her friendly nature, Rosanna attracted customers and many well-known figures of the time. Rosanna was so well known on the streets of Dublin that famed songwriter Pete St John wrote a song about her, ‘Rosie Up Moore Street’.
Adjacent to the GPO, Moore Street played a major role in the events of the 1916 Easter Rising.
On the 30th of April 1916, Irish Volunteers commanded by Pádraig Pearse surrendered from the overlooking terraces a day after the ‘Battle of Moore Street’.
In 2016, buildings used by the rebels were earmarked for demolition to build a new shopping centre.
After many protests, the buildings were added to the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) almost seven years later, ensuring that the landmarks remain.
In 2024, while the street market is in obvious decline, the busy shops along Moore Street can be seen as an amalgamation of cultures from around the world.
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