During the Civil War, anti-Treaty leader Cathal Brugha had been shot and wounded on Thomas Lane, off O'Connell Street, dying days later in hospital.

The abutting plots were derelict and Seán McDermott Street was a byword for urban deprivation and crime; it was hoped the rename would aid urban renewal investment, and a private apartment block was built on the renamed section, named "Gresham House" after the Gresham Hotel on O'Connell Street.

[7] Among the post-1923 buildings, the new Anglican St. Thomas Church designed by W. Hicks was the winner of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland Gold Medal for Architecture 1932-34.

[8] It was designed by Robinson and Keefe Architects as an Institute for Women's work, and incorporates many of the features used in their earlier Technical School and Library in Marino Mart, Fairview.

The sculpture at the corner of the building nearest O'Connell Street by Hayes, shows women displaying the skills learned in the College, such as knitting.