1916 commemoration centre to progress on Moore Street

The 1916 commemoration centre at 14-17 Moore Street is set to go ahead after the Office of Public Works (OPW) appointed design and engineering experts to progress the project.

The centre, which is estimated to cost over €16 million, can now proceed and is expected to be completed in early 2026, according to the OPW.

The buildings in question were purchased by the State in 2015 and An Bord Pleanala approved the construction of the centre in the same year.

The site was also declared a national monument in 2007.

Once complete, the centre will be opened to the public and visitors will be able to explore the site where the decision to surrender was made in 1916.

The stories of the rebels and ordinary citizens who lived through the Easter Rising will also be told.

Patrick O’Donovan, Minister of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works said: “The OPW takes its responsibilities for managing many of Ireland’s most important historic sites and monuments very seriously, and we are delighted to have been entrusted with this job by the Government.

“Like everyone else involved, I feel sure that we can create a fitting tribute here to the men and women of 1916 and at the same time make a great contribution to the cultural and civic life of the inner city.”

Local Sinn Fein councillor Micheál MacDonncha said the centre should with the rejuvenation of the area.

“What we want is a regenerated area with street traders, shop traders and the culture and heritage and history of the area fully recognised,” he said.

However, James Connolly Heron, spokesperson of the Moore Street Preservation Trust said while the plans are welcome, the proposed demolition and redevelopment of nearby historical sites by Hammerson will diminish the centre’s importance.

“The start of work on a 1916 Centre in Numbers 14-17 Moore Street is welcome, if very long overdue. We await with interest the plans for the buildings,” he said.

“However, it must be stated that the history and heritage of these buildings will not be respected, and their historic context will be lost, if the grandiose plans of the multinational property company Hammerson are allowed to proceed.

“The entire terrace 10-25 Moore Street was occupied by the evacuated GPO garrison at the end of Easter Week 1916, yet Hammerson want to demolish much of the terrace.

“This includes Numbers 18 and 19 which are to be bulldozed to create a walkway from O’Connell St to link with the Ilac Centre on the west side of Moore Street which Hammerson also owns.

“Dublin City Councillors have voted to add the entire terrace 10-25 to the Record of Protected Structures.

“They were vindicated by the recent re-emergence of a 2011 report by leading conservation architect Gráinne Shaffrey that identifies the facade of 18 Moore Street as pre-1916.

“Now Shaffrey Architects is one of the firms awarded the OPW contract for 14-17 Moore Street, it follows that process to add Number 18 Moore Street, along with the entire terrace, to the Record of Protected Structures should proceed without delay.”