THE TRADITIONAL hub of Dublin’s antiques trade, Francis Street in the Liberties has launched a “re-branding” campaign in an effort to attract more visitors from Ireland and overseas.

The traders have formed a new group, the Francis Street Association, and a website which provides links to the members’ shops and businesses.

Antiques and fine art dealers predominate, but visitors will also find specialist outlets, such as Dublin Art Metals for “the restoration and repair of chandeliers, lanterns, fire fenders and door brass”; Antique Fireplace Restoration for “antique fireplaces, mantels and chimneypieces from all periods in marble, stone, wood and cast iron”; and Timepiece, which sells and repairs antique clocks, barometers and barographs.

A spokesman for the association, Niall Mullen pointed out that Francis Street lies between two of Dublin’s best-known landmarks – the Guinness brewery and Christ Church – and could, potentially, attract many more tourists.

New signage has been erected and a brochure, aimed at overseas visitors, is being distributed to all hotels in Dublin.

Francis Street has the potential, albeit on a smaller scale, to emulate Portobello Road in London’s Notting Hill which is a popular destination for antiques shopping among locals and tourists.

For more details, see artsandantiquesquarter.ie.