The Cobblestone in Smithfield, Dublin.NO18 Films
A short documentary charting the landmark legal victory that saved The Cobblestone pub has been shared by Dublin-based NO18 Films.
The newly-released documentary is the second in NO18 Films' "Made in Dublin" series, which is dedicated to the artisans, rebels, and characters who define the living fabric of Ireland's capital city.
Following the success of the series premiere featuring George Horn Ltd, the latest episode turns its lens toward The Cobblestone in Smithfield, a space that is far more than a public house; it is a global institution for Irish music.
"Made in Dublin" is an ongoing documentary series that captures the stories of local craftsmanship and community at a time when the city’s independent spirit faces unprecedented pressure. Through intimate storytelling, the series poses vital questions about Dublin’s future while documenting the preservation of its past.
"Made in Dublin: The Cobblestone" traces a multi-generational journey of cultural defiance. It begins in the 1930s, when Tom Mulligan’s father arrived in a Dublin where traditional music was pushed to the fringes and "Irishness" was often a source of social exile. Decades later, Tom established The Cobblestone in a derelict corner of Smithfield, creating a vital refuge for the tunes his father once carried in secret.
Still from "Made in Dublin: The Cobblestone." (NO18 Films)
For 40 years, the pub has served as a beacon for musicians, defined by heritage, resilience, and community. However, the film documents the recent threat that nearly silenced the session: a proposed nine-story hotel development that would have gutted the building.
The documentary captures the historic "funeral march" that saw thousands take to the streets, leading to a groundbreaking ruling by An Bord Pleanála, Ireland's planning board. In a landmark victory for the arts, "established culture" was cited as a legal imperative to deny planning permission, ensuring the music would remain.
Still from "Made in Dublin: The Cobblestone." (NO18 Films)
“With 'Made in Dublin,' we step away from the globalised aesthetic to celebrate the raw, rhythmic pulse of our own streets,” Simon J. James, director of the series, says.
“The Cobblestone isn’t just a building; it’s a heartbeat. To lose it would be to lose a piece of the Irish collective identity.”
Caddy Munnelly, producer of the episode, adds: “The Cobblestone represents the soul of Smithfield.
"This story is a reminder that culture is not just something we inherit; it is something we must actively protect. This documentary is a tribute to the resilience of a community that refused to let its history be built over.”
Audiences are invited to view "Made in Dublin: The Cobblestone" now at NO18films.com or on YouTube and join the conversation on the importance of protecting Dublin’s cultural institutions.