Fishamble Street was first laid down by the Viking’s around the 10th century as a through passageway to connect the riverfront to the main market centre around High Street. It derived its name from the fish shambles or stalls which lined the street in the Middle Ages. Note the curve in the street. This was to make the pulling of carts up the incline a little easier.
The Archway still reamins of the original entrance to the Music hall in Fishamble Street, scene of the first performance of Handel's Messiah in 1742.