RELATIVES of the 1916 Rising leaders have reiterated their support for the decision to restore the four houses on Moore Street and honour the area with a Commemorative Centre.
The Department of Finance confirmed earlier this year that NAMA will fund the project.
The Save No 16 Moore Street group said the right decision had been made and urged the Government to ensure preservation works get underway immediately.
Spokesperson for the group, Nuala O’Rahilly-Price said:
“We have championed this campaign from the outset; initially saving the Moore Street buildings from demolition and since securing the commitment from Government to preserve and commemorate these buildings in time for 2016.
“We wholeheartedly welcomed the announcement in February that NAMA was prepared to finance the National Monument and were reassured that the buildings would be restored as a true and fitting Commemorative Museum.
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The four buildings at 14 to 17 Moore Street are now officially a national monument. Grandson of James Connolly, John Connolly, said the time for discussion and consultation on the restoration project has now passed.
“We do not want a situation where another winter passes and the significant buildings on Moore Street are left to fall into disrepair as a result of flooding, vandalism or general neglect,
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“We are assured that the necessary funding is in place, and the all consents with the State and An Bord Pleanála are secured. The onus is now on the Government to see this through.
“We are urging all those with a vested interest in this important project to support this decision and allow regeneration works to begin before it’s too late.
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Meanwhile, a newly founded group, the 1916 Relatives Association, expressed its satisfaction with a recent meeting with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The meeting was requested by the association to clarify the Irish Government’s plans for the national commemoration of 1916.
Spokesperson Barry Lyons said:
“Today’s meeting was surprisingly positive as the Minister clarified a lot of our concerns regarding our families’ involvement in the commemorations.
“We understand that this is the first in a series of meetings which the Government has requested our input into. Our next meeting is mid-September.
“We look forward to engaging in extremely positive dialogue in the weeks and months ahead.
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Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams said there was still concern over the future of Moore Street, much of which is earmarked for demolition.
“This is a national monument of huge historical significance which must be properly preserved and restored for future generations of Irish citizens,
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“It has yet to be fully surveyed by independent experts. The threat to demolish a significant section of the historic battlefield site to make way for a shopping centre is wrong and will be rejected by Irish citizens.
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