Relatives of 1916 Proclamation signatories plea with council to protect buildings

Relatives of the 1916 Proclamation signatories have issued an appeal to Dublin City Council calling on councillors to protect Moore Street from redevelopment.

The plea was made ahead of a city council meeting this evening where councillors will debate whether to list particular buildings on Moore Street on the Record of Protected Structures.

The relatives are calling on councillors to back the protection of the historic terrace 10-25 Moore Street and other key buildings associated with the 1916 Rising.

“Relatives of those Signatories to the 1916 Proclamation who spent their last hours of freedom in the still intact terrace of houses on Moore Street that became their last headquarters urge you to stand firm in your resolve to see these houses of history protected and preserved in their memory,” they say in an open letter to councillors.

“The terrace exactly mirrors the form and line of houses that existed in 1916 according to renowned conservation architect Grainne Shaffrey.

“What is being called for by councillors is a very modest demand.

“The terrace from no 10 to 25 Moore Street was occupied and held by volunteers in their last stand against the might of the army of  the then British Empire.

“It is not for one generation to give away or to be left at the mercy of a developer’s wrecking ball.

“It should be held intact and in trust for future generations. This is sacred ground.”

The relatives say that if the structures are protected the councillors will “leave your own mark on history” and the “story of the evacuation of the GPO can be told to future generations in the very streets and laneways where history was made.”

“We urge councillors to remain committed to the motions adopted in the past to add this modest terrace of houses to the list of protected structures.”