With the new Grand Canal Theatre,
pictured above, up and running
and other building work around
in the last phases of construction, the new
look Grand Canal Square is finally taking
shape.

While retaining some of the industrial heritage of the area, the new square looks like no other part of Dublin and would not look out of place in Berlin, Madrid or Milan. Despite the slump, tenants have been found for most of the shops and the apartments are selling well. Is this our first look at post-recession Ireland?