Connolly grandson sceptical of Moore Street plans

THE great-grandson of Irish Republican James Connolly is sceptical of plans to turn just four buildings from the Moore Street monument into a museum.

James Connolly Herron, who has tirelessly campaigned to preserve the site where the 1916 Rising Leaders surrendered, believes all buildings along the Moore Street terrace should be protected.

Chartered Land, who own the site, have briefed a Dublin City Council committee set up to review plans for the national monument.

The proposal, which has already been put to the Government, includes the creation of a museum costing an estimated e10 million and recreating the interior of the buildings at 14-17 Moore Street as they were in 1916.

Leaders of the Rising surrendered at No 16 Moore Street after retreating from the nearby GPO.

Chartered Lands has planning permission until 2017 for a massive retail development fronting onto O’Connell Street.

It says all original features will be preserved under its plans, which will require amended planning permission.

James Connolly Herron said that while the extension of the museum plan to include four buildings was welcomed, it would still create an oddity when

“dwarfed and overshadowed

? by a giant shopping centre.

“It will be a curiosity in the middle of this giant, modern shopping centre which has been proposed,

? he told Northside People.

“The whole area of Moore Street needs to be viewed in terms of its history and I believe that the entire terrace is worthy of preservation.

“You can’t just tinker with certain buildings and demolish others.

?

Mr Connolly Herron and the Save 16 Moore Street campaign are due to make a submission on the plan by January 31.

Fianna Fáil group leader on Dublin City Council, Mary Fitzpatrick, said the neglect of the national monument had gone on for far too long.

“It is a matter of great shame that to date the site has not been properly restored and developed into an appropriate commemoration of the heroic acts of the men and women of 1916,

? she stated.

“The centenary of the rising is fast approaching and the Government must take action to ensure that this national monument is preserved and restored; it should provide funding for the creation of an appropriate commemoration on the site and creation of a museum.

“I welcome the offer from Chartered Land that they are willing to hand over 14-17 Moore Street to the State.

“The Government should immediately act to ensure that the national monument site is taken into State ownership.

“A dynamic public museum should be created in 14-17 Moore Street that will bring to life the historic events of 1916 for current and future generations.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said Dublin City Council was well positioned to operate such a museum.