The Public House Blends Historic Dublin Charm with Modern Magic for Bolands Mills

Bolands Mills, the iconic Dublin landmark, has been undergoing a major transformation into a vibrant new destination - a place where cultural, community and commercial life come together. The Public House was tasked with bringing this story to life.

After winning a competitive pitch, The Public House collaborated with the team at Bolands Mills across strategy, design, and communications. The collaboration showcases the agency’s full 360° creative offering— genuinely integrated brand, design, and comms solutions, with a unified, single-minded approach.

‘Combine the right elements and good things will rise.’ This mantra became the team’s North Star; and the resulting brand identity blends the site’s historic character with a fresh, contemporary aesthetic.

At the core of the branding is the new logo; a symbol inspired by the landmark’s distinctive façade. Instantly recognisable and highly adaptable, it maintains integrity across every format, from large-scale signage and advertising to digital and social applications.

The vibrant colour palette intentionally contrasts with the site’s original brickwork and architecture, enhancing legibility, accessibility, and visual impact across print and digital platforms. Complementing this, the design team created a suite of brand shapes drawn from local architectural details and forms found throughout the site. The deliberate juxtaposition of old and new— archival references paired with contemporary photography and bold colours— celebrates the site’s evolution while retaining a deep respect for its past.

Together, these elements form a cohesive visual system; flexible, dynamic, and unmistakably place-specific.

“Getting the opportunity to work on the branding for Bolands Mills has been an absolute privilege. From the outset, the entire team at The Public House was deeply invested, driven by a genuine passion to create design solutions worthy of this iconic landmark, honouring its rich history while celebrating its future,” said Eimear O’Sullivan, creative director head of design, The Public House.

“Bolands Mills is one of the most exciting developments to happen in Dublin in decades. We loved working with our wonderful clients to capture that sense of pride and possibility - while keeping it rooted in the character of the city,” said Kerrie Sweeney, managing director.