Running from Hawkins Street at the west to Lombard Street on the east, Townsend Street is currently undergoing much redevelopment.

Starting at the corner of Hawkins Street gives a stark reminder that the Screen Cinema is no more.

Arguably the best Dublin cinema of its day, the Screen tended to show high quality independent films. They didn’t do blockbusters there. The three screen layout was easy to negotiate. Screen 1 was top of the stairs with Screens two and three to either side.

The iconic ‘Mr. Screen’ sculpture, the cinema usher standing and shining a torch, which stood outside the cinema for many years, has been relocated to the Savoy Cinema on O’Connell Street.

Also gone forever is the Long Stone pub, site of the historic recording between My Good Self and The Brain for the RTE Radio programme ‘Audioscope’.

On the go for a mere 264 years, it closed its doors in December 2018 and was later demolished as part of the new College Square development.

Crossing over Tara Street I amble along the side of The Irish Times new home and am happy to see that the old clock from the newspapers previous residence in D’Olier Street is alive and.well.

The remainder of Townsend Street is somewhat uninspiring although there is quite a large development in progress at the junction of Shaw Street that will give the area a much needed lift.

This part of Dublin – Hawkins Street, Poolbeg Street, Tara Street and Townsend Street- will see much change in the coming years as new developments come into being.

It’s a part of Dublin that is much in need of investment.

For the moment however, the only thing of note on Townsend Street is The Irish Times clock.

As clocks go, it is most definitely worth a very good look.