Footscrapers

Footscrapers came into use around the 18th century. The streets were often very mucky and people wiped their shoes on the footscrapers before entering the houses. When solid roads were constructed there was no more use for them. Footscrapers were made of moulded cast iron and decorated ornately.

All the illustrated footscrapers are on Mountpleasant Square; the design at the top is "the lyre" and the one below it is "the honeysuckle".

© Dublin City Public Libraries