O'Connell Street and the North Ward in which it is situated are relatively late in date, having been reclaimed from tidal flats from the 17th Century onwards. In the following centuries city development moved eastwards downriver, where a formal Georgian city emerged, with public buildings, residential squares and imposing streetscapes. The Georgian period also witnessed the Wide Streets Commissioners develop the streets in the city centre, including Dame Street, Westmoreland Street and Parliament Street. O'Connell Street is also part of this heritage.
