The famous Ball’s Bridge, built in 1791, rebuilt in 1835 and widened in 1904, marks an area of Dublin, which may hold more secrets than you think.

Many roads converge at Ballsbridge: Herbert, Elgin, Pembroke, Shelbourne and Angelsea. Central to this area are the RDS, The Herbert Park Hotel, The American Embassy, Herbert Park, Granite Place, City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, and Pembroke Library.

Ballsbridge is famous as being the place where Eamonn DeValera surrendered in 1916 and where members of the third Battalion Dublin Brigade died.

There is a commemorative stone at the Herbert Park and Clyde Road junction which stands in black marble with the words ‘Dedicated to the memory of the officers and men of the third battalion Dublin Brigade, who died for Ireland in 1916 and since, may they all be at God’s right hand’. This was unveiled by Eamonn De Valera himself on 13 May 1973.

During the Rising, the Pembroke Town Hall was occupied by the Military H.Q staff and Shelbourne Road Technical School was its headquarters. After surrendering at Boland’s Mills, 117 volunteers were herded in horse boxes in the RDS showgrounds.

De Valera himself was treated as an officer and placed under guard in the weights and measures office of Pembroke Town Hall.

Down the road is the Pembroke Library (above), built by W.F Beckett, father of Samuel Beckett, where writer Frank O’Connor worked as a librarian and wrote ‘Guest of the Nation’, and ‘The Saint and Mary Kate’. It was formally opened in September 1929.

Herbert Park (right) was chosen as the site for the famous Dublin International Trades Exhibition which was held in 1907. The main industrial hall covered over two acres and consisted of a central octagonal court with a dome 150 feet high and 80 feet in diameter.

The only constructions relating to this period which remain are the bandstand and the pond. Today, the park comprises 32 acres and apart from the fine gardens and tree and flower-lined walkways, is home to soccer, gaelic games, tennis courts, bowling, croquet and a children’s play area. The Earl of Pembroke at the coming-of-age of his son, Lord Herbert, presented the park to the Pembroke Urban District Council.

The RDS was founded in 1731 and in 1815 its headquarters were situated in Leinster House. From 1880 the Society began to acquire and use land at Ballsbridge and moved there in 1924. Leinster House was requisitioned by the Dail.

The RDS is one of the best venues in Dublin for any sort of show, be it sporting, artistic or musical and it is also where the Horse Show and Funderland takes place each year. Directly across the road is the Horse Show House, a well known hostelry for visitors to the RDS.

The Herbert Park Hotel speaks for itself and there is an attractive metal sculpture just inside its gates of four modern young men holding a metal ball, well worth looking at.

There is plenty to eat and drink in the area and restaurants include O’Connell’s, Bella Cuba, The Lobster Pot, Siam Thai, Al Boschetto, Baan Thai, Kites and Roly’s Bistro at Clyde Lane, or across the road is the Embassy Grill.

Just at the other side of the bridge is Granite Place, with Hemingway’s and Teppan and Crowe’s, where you might catch Don Baker playing a gig.

That leaves us with one more place of interest, the American Embassy at Elgin Road. This ominous building is circular in shape and guarded 24 hours a day.

It holds your ticket to the freedom of the USA, providing visas and other documentation for entry. The embassy also provides information on America in terms of political, economic and social issues.

The design of the building incorporates ancient Irish architecture in a contemporary American design, and was built in 1964. The Embassy was designed by an American architect, John Mac L. Johansen in consultation with Irish architect, Michael Scott. It has five floors, three on top and two below. The floors are made of Connemara marble. Next time you take a walk in the area, remember there is history all around you.