Leeson Street

Leeson Street is a historic street in the south of central Dublin, divided into two sections by the Grand Canal. It runs from St. Stephen's Green all the way to Donnybrook and takes its name from the Leeson family, who became known in the 18th century as brewers and property developers. Today the area is home to important institutions such as the main offices of the Ombudsman, as well as several embassies. Architecturally, the area is shaped by the Catholic University School, which owns large tracts of land there. One particular point of cultural interest is the discovery of Caravaggio's painting "The Taking of Christ" in a Jesuit house in 1990. Here you'll find a mix of historic character and modern urban atmosphere along the banks of the canal.