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AN TAISCE HAS told Dublin City Council that the building where James Joyce’s The Dead was set “is of too great a cultural heritage importance for conversion to multiple apartments”.
That is according to An Taisce’s Dublin City Planning Officer Kevin Duff as part of an An Taisce’s objection concerning plans by Brimwood UC to convert the property at 15 Usher’s Island in Dublin 8 into 10 apartments.
In An Taisce’s submission, Duff has told the Council the return of “this nationally-important house” to functioning use, and “the arresting of any further deterioration in its fabric, is urgently needed”.
He adds, however, that the proposal for residential use as ten private apartments would be wholly appropriate.
He said: “Refusal is therefore recommended in order to find a way forward and secure the future of this key cultural building of Dublin, bearing in mind for example the successful and award-winning museum and cultural attraction developed by the City Council at large Georgian townhouse 14 Henrietta Street.”
Duff states: “No 15 Usher’s Island is one of the most significant townhouses to survive on the Dublin Quays, both because of its location and context; it is like a Merrion Square-quality house on the Quays, and as one of the few surviving quayside houses to retain its front-door and basement arrangement.”
He said that the proposal for conversion to a high number – 10 – of apartments would be “wholly inappropriate and destructive to its architectural and cultural character.”
Duff has told the Council that 15 Usher’s Island is of international cultural significance because of its location of the setting of the James Joyce short story, The Dead.
He said: “The proposal is in serious conflict with established policy and provisions for the maintenance of the special character of protected structures.”
Duff describes 15 Usher’s Island as “a handsome three-bay house of the late-Georgian period, with four-storey redbrick elevation over raised basement, and columned stone doorcase. The interior retains a good degree of refined early-19th century detail. It is a Protected Structure and is located within a designated Conservation Area.”
In a planning report lodged with Dublin City Council by planning consultant, Kevin Hughes on behalf of Brimwood points out that the use of the building as residential is more suited than a tourist hostel for which the previous permission was granted.
He contends that it is not feasible to return the building to one singular house, however the provision of 10 apartments is considered appropriate.
Hughes states that the applicant and design team “are aware of the significance of the building and have gone to great lengths to protect and improve the historic fabric of the building”.
A decision is due on the application next month.
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It’s the…(British) Open! What’s next – Wembley hosting the All Ireland hurling final next year! Leave some things well alone!
@Barry Murphy: No, its just The Open.. here it is from the horses mouth https://www.theopen.com/latest/why-it-is-the-open-not-the-british-open
@Brian: Fair enough!
@Barry Murphy: Wembley hosts American football. Wembley’s not in America, is it?
Imagine willingly going to Dublin.
@Daniel Skelton: Happily
Its a British competition, no to it been held! Enough of this west brits trying tochange pur identity.
@David Byrne: Oh grow up will you, while we obviously have our own cultural identities, we slavishly follow British sports, media, music culture etc., so trying to pretend that we are completely unique in this little country of ours, is flogging a dead horse. I think it would be amazing to get the Open here, but yes I do realise that there are saddos out there like David who would oppose it on xenophobic grounds.
@David Byrne: then why is it in NI this year?
Yet wouldn’t entertain world rally stage. Typical.
@tiobraiddroicead: no one cares about that nonsense
They might as well just sponsor it,great lads to throw away taxpayer money
@Jb Walshe: I am sure lots if golf enthusiasts would come to Dublin. Government would more than get the investment back not to mention all the publicity. Besides plenty Irish Universities and government bodies sponsor sporting events and all our athletes in Paris are on Sports Ireland grants
@Peter Byrne: we have many sporting events Peter,including the Irish Open
@Jb Walshe: The Irish Open is not a major and cannot be compared with The Open.
The hotels be rubbing their hands at the prospect of this becoming a reality.
If the poor immigrants feel put upon maybe they could try they’re luck in a more friendly country I could make a list but it might take me a week or 2
@Paul: is that cause you’re slow?
Their. They’re. There.
@Alan OConnor: Dare, dare!
Portmarnock ?? You know the old saying …..
If Waterville, Ballybunion and Lahinch were on the east coast, you would never hear of Portmarnock !!!
@Lulu: just location, infrastructure etc, and we’ll plenty of hotels. Near airport.. lahinch would be brilliant, but not suitable for this size of crowd. U need space between fairways etc for stands
I would be surprised if it happened, what’s in it for the British? Why would they allow the biggest cash generator in their golfing calendar go abroad. It’s not like the tickets aren’t being sold.
Had a tour de France once. Geography should be a school subject.
Why is there some much xenophobia it’s.. the open..a cold competition. We are not giving up sovereignty and rejoining the UK.. get real.
Eamon Dunphy wanted to bring Wimbledon FC to Dublin. Let’s get over the Ryder Cup in limerick first before the Patriots get their stained shorts in a knot.
Unless they are immigrants there will no where to stay
Yes it’s a good idea. And ask RTE to film the whole lot for an extra bonus.
If RTE get broadcasting rights, they might need another Billion Euro bailout, Catherine Martin in on this as well, omg another sh#tshow guaranteed so.
FG are playing a blinder
have your say