Ireland Street

was named before 1860 in honor of a Melbourne barrister turned politician named Richard Davies Ireland.

photographer, Stephen Hatcher. December 2024.

Richard Davies Ireland (1815-1877), was born on 27 October 1815 in County Galway, Ireland, son of James Stanley Ireland, army captain, and his wife Matilda, née Davies. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin (B.A., 1837), and called to the Bar in 1838. Attracted by politics, he supported Irish confederation in 1848. Like many talented Irish lawyers, restricted by the overcrowded state of their profession, he decided to migrate to Victoria. They arrived in 1853.

One year later around the Eureka Stockade Rebellion on 3 December 1854, prompted Ireland in 1855 to offer his services as defence counsel, pro bono, to Raffaelo Carboni and the others who had been charged with treason. He earned widespread acclaim for his brilliant defence and all of them were acquitted.

His personal life reflected his gregarious vivacity and tendency to impulsiveness. He was reputed to have had an affair in 1855 with Henrietta Molesworth, the rather impetuous and flighty wife of Supreme Court Judge Robert Molesworth, who was a neighbour in St Kilda. Ireland’s wife, Sophia, had banned the Molesworth’s from her house, where they had once been frequent visitors.

Richard was charming, convivial, a clever mimic and dramatic raconteur, he was reputed to have spent the equivalent of four hansom financial fortunes before health failed him. He died on 11 January 1877, predeceased by his wife Sophia Mary, née Carr; they had six sons and four daughters.

Image Copyright: National Library of Australia

City of Melbourne street index cards

10 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 10-24 Ireland St.
Previous Address Fernlea
Constructed (1) 1865 (2) 1927/8
Builder (1st) Cranstone & Southion (2) tba



11 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 11-17 Ireland St.
Previous Address 1 Ireland Street changed to 11 Ireland Street after council renumbering



13 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 11-17 Ireland St.



15 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 11-17 Ireland St.



17 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 11-17 Ireland St.



18 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 10-24 Ireland St



19 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 19-27 Ireland St.



21 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 19-27 Ireland St.



23 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 19-27 Ireland St.



24 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



25 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 19-27 Ireland St.



26 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 26-32 Ireland St



27 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 19-27 Ireland St.



28 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 26-32 Ireland St



29 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Previous Address Ínverness Hotel



30 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 26-32 Ireland St.



32 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 26-32 Ireland St.



33 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 31-37 Ireland St.



34 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



36 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



38 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



39 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 31-37 Ireland St.



40 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



41 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 39 Ireland St.



42 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



43 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 39 Ireland St



44 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



45 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 43-47 Ireland St.



46 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 46-56 Ireland St.



48 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 46-56 Ireland St.



49 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



50 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 46-56 Ireland St.



51 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



53 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 53-55 Ireland St
Previous Address The first pair of Victorian period dwelings built on this site were called Carlie cottages (53-55)



54 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 46-56 Ireland St.



55 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 53-55 Ireland St
Previous Address The first pair of Victorian period dwelings built on this site were called Carlie cottages (53-55)



56 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



57 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 57-63 Ireland St.



59 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 57-63 Ireland St.



61 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Previous Address known lately as 57-63 Ireland St.



63 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 57-63 Ireland St.



74 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 74-80 Ireland St.



76 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 74-80 Ireland St.



78 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 74-80 Ireland St



80 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 74-80 Ireland St.



82 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



83 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 268-296 Adderley St.



84 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



85 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 268-296 Adderley St.



86 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 86-90 Ireland St.



87 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 268-296 Adderley St.



88 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 86-90 Ireland St.



89 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 268-296 Adderley St.



90 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 86-90 Ireland St.



91 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



92 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



93 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address known lately as 268-296 Adderley St.



94 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



96 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



98 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



100 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



102 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



104 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



106 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



108 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Also known as Address 112 Ireland Street
Previous Address also known as 110 Ireland Street in 1895.
Constructed (1st) 1865. (2nd) after 1972
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder (1st) William Watson of Fitzroy.



118 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003



1500 Ireland Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003