It was badly damaged, along with neighbouring streets, in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising, but some buildings survived and others have been restored.

It was acquired by Henry Moore, 1st Earl of Drogheda in 1614 and sold to Luke Gardiner in 1714.

[11] Much of the street was reconstructed from 1917 onwards, with Edwardian Baroque or Empire Revival style by architects such as O'Callaghan & Webb.

In total, 11 buildings on the Street and a further 3 on Earl Place needed full reconstruction.

[15] Some of the Georgian buildings further away from the junction with O'Connell Street survived 1916, and form part of the older streetscape.

It was commissioned by the Dublin City Centre Business Association[19][20] and was unveiled on 16 June 1990.

[21] The hearing-aid store, Bonovox at 9 North Earl Street, is reputedly the inspiration for Paul Hewson's choice as Bono for his stage name.