Open House Dublin festival this weekend

IRELAND’S tallest building, the new Museum of Literature, a bus tour of Dublin port and a walking tour on the socio-cultural history of Dalymount Park are just some of the highlights of this year’s Open House Dublin festival. 

This year’s programme was launched by Minister for Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, at Smithfield Fruit and Vegetable Market, which also features on the festival line-up.

Open House Dublin 2019 will run from October 11-13 and will focus on the theme of City in Motion. Over 120 buildings across the city will throw open their doors to the public for the festival weekend, with 160 events – ranging from building tours to family-friendly workshops – taking place. 

“Open House Dublin provides us with the opportunity to explore and experience the outstanding architecture that surrounds us here in our capital, showcasing our buildings and public realm as an expression of our identity,” said Minister Madigan.

“This year’s event will encourage discussions on the responsibility of a city, and of the people who create, live and work in it; focusing on such key subjects as the climate crisis as well as collective action and quality design.”

The Open House Dublin festival is an initiative of the Irish Architecture Foundation and Bank of Ireland, principal partner for the event, and it’s Ireland’s largest architectural celebration.

“Architecture is woven into the fabric of our lives,” said Nathalie Weadick, Director of the Irish Architecture Foundation.

“It dictates how we live, travel, work, learn, and socialise. Open House Dublin is an opportunity to take stock of the architecture around us and celebrate its significance and contribution to our lives.

“This year’s theme – ‘City in Motion’ – allows us to question the sort of city we want Dublin to be. Over the course of the festival, we’ll have discussions on the responsibilities of a city, and of the people who plan, design, build, live and work in it; and we’ll focus on subjects such as the climate crisis, collective action and quality design.

“This year’s programme also demonstrates the huge wealth of architecture talent we have in Ireland today – and the legacy of past architecture.

“It has something for everyone: private buildings of historical significance, innovative residential solutions for contemporary architecture fans, and expert tours of some of our best-loved buildings.”

Provincial Director of Bank of Ireland in Dublin, Joann Hosey, the headline sponsor of Open House Dublin, said the bank was delighted to be sponsoring Open House Dublin again this year.

“As well as highlighting the societal and cultural significance of our built heritage, the festival is a wonderful showcase of the innovative and quality work of our residential, corporate and civic architects,” she said.

Programme highlights for Open House Dublin include the ‘Big Debate’, taking place on Friday, October 11, which will respond to the ‘City in Motion’ theme and ask key people in business, politics, architecture and culture what kind of city do they want.

There are also tours of the National Maternity Hospital, Stanhope Street Secondary School Canteen and the Confucius Institute for Ireland.

A series of architecture-themed events for young people aged 7 to 17 will also be held as Open House Junior.

All Open House Dublin events are free, but places for some are allocated on a lottery basis. The full programme of events is available at www.openhousedublin.com.