RESIDENTS are opposing a scheme that would involve the demolition of several 19th century houses and the construction of an expanded new Irish Jewish museum in a quiet residential area on the Southside.
The Irish Jewish Museum has applied to Dublin City Council to demolish numbers 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Walworth Road in Portobello, and construct a new two-storey museum building incorporating a café and synagogue in its place.
If it receives planning permission the new museum would be constructed on the site of the existing Irish Jewish Museum.
Before his death, the former curator of the museum, Rapahel Siev, purchased three terraced houses on Walworth Road and bequeathed them to the museum so that it could be expanded.
The scheme would involve the demolition and reconstruction of the synagogue at the museum, which was used as a place of worship locally until the 1970s.
It is estimated that the new museum will cost approximately
?¬10 million and will boost visitor numbers five-fold to 50,000 per annum.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has drafted a comprehensive plan for the new museum. The proposals include a library with research and archival facilities, a conference hall and expanded exhibition space.
While most of the 24 residents who made submissions to the city council on the scheme noted that they were supportive of the existing Irish Jewish Museum, they also raised a diverse range of concerns about the proposal.
Many of those who made submissions noted that the existing Z2 zoning in the area aims to
“protect and/or improve the amenities of residential conservation areas
? and claimed that the scheme was contrary to this objective.
Local resident Mourat Taberouebt raised concerns about the conservation of the 19th century buildings and the impact of increased visitor numbers in the residential area.
“The destruction and subsequent rebuilding of these historic buildings flies in the face of the spirit of the proper conservation of 150-year-old structures,
? he stated.
“What is proposed is nothing more than a poorer, pastiche version of the original structures.
?
Residents also cited increased traffic and the demand for parking spaces, as well as the height of the proposed buildings, potential noise pollution and other disturbances during the construction phase of the museum as reasons for their opposition to the scheme.
Southside People attempted to contact the Irish Jewish Museum but they could not be reached for comment.