When passing along Dame street the other day I was struck by the fact that the majority of the pedestrians were men, and that nearly all of the comparatively small number of women appeared to be business girls. There were so few women who could be strictly classed as shoppers that I became curious to find out why that particular thoroughfare should have such a preponderance of male pedestrians.
With a view to testing a theory which I made, I walked from the Bank of Ireland up College Green, Dame street, and thence along Parliament street. As a result of my inspection, I came to the conclusion that my theory was, at any rate, reasonable.
I discovered that in the whole length of my walk there was not one solitary shop which is devoted to the sale of women's wear. There are, it is true, certain establishments which sell articles that are of interest to ladies, but I think I am safe saying that one could go from College Green to Capel street Bridge without finding a shop in which to buy a lady's handkerchief.
I wonder if there are in any other streets in Dublin a like peculiarity. Westland row does not possess either a ladies' or a men's haberdashers' shop, but that street does not come within the recognised shopping area.
The Irish Times, January 21st, 1929.