The street was created during a period of street construction and improvement overseen by the
Wide Streets Commission in the 18th century, extending from St Stephen's Green towards the
Circular Road to the south. It was laid out from 1777 by
John Hatch. The street first appears on maps in 1784 and is named after
Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt. By 1791, Hatch had secured enough land to develop the street to its full intended length and by 1843, it had 72 houses.
Unionist politician
Edward Carson was born at no. 4 and there is a plaque located at the house. This house and gardens were originally intended for the developer John Hatch, but he decided to sell them onwards and build his own dedicated house and gardens, the second largest and finest house on the street at number 40. Number 40 was finally only demolished in the 1970s after being sold by
The High School as its main school building and grounds. Prior to that point in the 19th century the building had been owned and used as the headquarters of the
Irish Charter Schools movement.
Bram Stoker lived at no. 16 for a period. == Architecture ==