Dublin Civic Trust

09/10/2026

At last! The new Dublin City Library construction project and refurbishment of the Hugh Lane Gallery is kicking off on Parnell Square through appointed contractors Purcell Construction. The works, costing €173.2 million, represent Phase 1 of Dublin City Council’s Parnell Square Cultural Quarter that encompasses major refurbishment of the Hugh Lane and a new connection to the library, and construction of the 6100sqm library behind the former Coláiste Mhuire terrace and its partial integration into the historic Georgian buildings.

With escalating construction costs, a decision was made to deliver the project in phases, with Phase 1 involving essential works only to the Georgian houses at Numbers 23, 24 and 28 Parnell Square North. Numbers 25 and 27 will be partially refurbished and Number 26 will be fully restored and returned to public use. Phase 2 will integrate all houses into the library with a comprehensive conservation programme and deliver a full-scale revamp of the public realm outside.

Yes, the project has changed from the initial Grafton Architects plan – the new design is by Hawkins\Brownn – yes, it has taken aeons, and no, the Georgian terrace won’t be fully restored for a while. But this is the injection of civic investment and public attention that Parnell Square desperately requires. Dublin City Council is to be commended for sticking with this vitally important project for Dublin’s north city centre, securing new government funding and a loan facility to get it moving.

Historically, this northern side of Parnell Square was known as Palace Row after Charlemont House that still forms its centrepiece, axially aligned with the Rotunda Hospital and its former Pleasure Gardens. It is a totally unique streetscape composition in Dublin, with terraced brick houses to each side of the 1760s mansion consciously designed to flank architect William Chambers’ sophisticated limestone façade.

It is entirely appropriate that a people’s palace will emerge in this historic complex over the next three years, with a projected opening date in 2030. A fitting nod to this history would be er****on of new street signs to rechristen Palace Row for the 21st century.

07/10/2026

A close-up view of the recently conserved central breakfront windows on the principal facade of Dublin's Leinster House. The slim-profiled sash windows are not the original windows dating to the 1740s, but are a fashionable upgrade most likely dating from the RDS's purchase of the mansion in 1815, which they occupied until 1922.

The original ground and first-floor window sashes were set out in a nine-over-six formation - a favoured arrangement of the architect Richard Castle - which was considered more architectural, enabling panes that were just slightly off square rather than oblong. Their old glazing bars and meeting rails, seen in James Malton's view from the 1790s, would have been approximately double the thickness of the replacement windows, lending the mansion a heavier, bolshier appearance.

The replacement sashes, with their super-fine profiles, must have appeared startlingly modern when they were installed. The central windows lighting the entrance hall below still host a stunning array of 200-year old, handblown crown and cylinder glass, located safely out of reach from damage over the years. The glitter they impart is one of the joys of this noble front of the national parliament.

The soft, putty paint colour is an exquisite choice by

18/09/2026

68 Arran Street East | Episode 12

Work over the summer has involved the total re-rendering of the back elevation of Number 68 using Diasen Diathonite cork-lime insulating plaster supplied by . This creates an external thermal wrap over the entire west-facing brick-built wall, preserving the original 18th-century features inside. The render is finished with a breathable mineral paint, providing a rainshield that is compatible with the render’s vapour-open properties.

Thanks to and for their invaluable support with this work, as well as Dublin City Council’s Conservation Office.

Supported by the Built Heritage Investment Scheme overseen by and the Historic Structures Fund from .localgov.heritage.

Project Architect:
Main Contractor: Glanroy Construction
Insulation materials: Ecological Building Systems

08/09/2026

It feels entirely fitting that fragments of the historic city for which Frank McDonald campaigned for so long are now literally supporting — with 18th-century bricks, floorboards, and Edwardian tongue-and-groove panels — our small public tribute to the great man.

It’s finally time to rest, Frank.

Thank you for everything.

Board & Staff
Dublin Civic Trust

06/09/2026

FRANK MCDONALD, first and foremost, was a proud Dubliner. Dublin pulsed through his veins as fuel for his brilliant mind, as a stimulant for the civic engagement that defined his life and career.

Frank’s knowledge of and love for Dublin was as infectious in person as it was immensely consequential in his writing. For it was Frank, like no other person before or since, who advanced Irish society’s understanding of planning, conservation, urbanism, and the environment.

His mark is indelibly printed into the story of Dublin’s Wood Quay, the demolition of Lower Fitzwilliam Street, of senseless road widening, and the annihilation of so much of our historic city. Beyond his prodigious press output, his books are landmarks in the lexicon of Dublin’s and Ireland’s modern development. For the punter and public official alike, their awareness of these issues, however tangential, can be traced back to Frank’s typewriter. That alone is a monumental legacy.

But Frank’s impact was greater. His fearless investigation into planning corruption, and the intersection of politics and development, drove major changes in our public administration. He helped establish new standards for quality of life in Ireland: principles embodied by the ‘living city’ – better apartments, public realm, architecture, public transport, and a respect for built heritage. Frank set the mood for this renaissance.

We have Frank to thank that so much of historic Dublin still stands. He exploited the rare intersection between journalist and scrupulous authority to wield his pen in the public interest, batting away madcap proposals and exposing clandestine schemes.

In recent years, Frank’s work to expose ‘private capture’ of public housing policy met with some online abuse. Occasionally, he was less adept at reading the virtual room, unfairly perceived as opposing housing rather than fighting to protect hard-won standards. In characteristic style, Frank took this as firm evidence of the force of the institutional property PR and lobbying machine, emboldening him further. He was dead right.

Frank was one of the most principled people in Irish life. Defending the public estate and our civic values went to the core of his being. That was the noble essence of the man we had the privilege to know and love.

To Eamon, his soulmate, and his wider family – Dublin will be forever in Frank’s debt.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

03/09/2026

28/08/2026

Under biblical rain and splitting sun at Newbridge House, we had a terrific conference today exploring the fascinating world of historic Irish glasshouses. Expert presentations and guided tours explored horticultural architecture, walled gardens, pioneering engineering, and even the Molesworth family’s spectacular surviving water cistern house at Brackenstown Demesne.

Thanks to our hosts at Newbridge House & Farm and for the generous support of Fingal County Council

21/08/2026

HISTORIC GLASSHOUSES SEMINAR

Friday 28 August 2026 | Newbridge House, Donabate

Places are filling fast! Book online by following the link in our bio.

Dublin Civic Trust is delighted to present this very special one-day seminar on Historic Irish Glasshouses taking place on site in the stunning demesne surroundings of Newbridge House, Donabate, Co. Dublin.

Hosted in conjunction with Fingal County Council and Newbridge House and Farm, this stimulating day of presentations and site visits will be led by expert speakers working on the history and active conservation of Irish glasshouses.

A series of lectures will guide attendees through the use of glasshouses for productive gardening in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, including recent case studies of best practice conservation and restoration works in timber and iron from around Ireland.

The event includes a visit to the newly restored ranges glasshouses on the Newbridge Demesne, as well as a coach visit (included) to nearby Brackenstown Demesne where extensive archaeological landscape works are underway by Fingal County Council.

This special day includes mid-morning refreshments, lunch and a return coach trip to Brackenstown from Newbridge House.

Book today!

Structured CPD Points: 6

Generously supported by Fingal County Council

One-day seminar on Historic Irish Glasshouses taking place on site in the stunning surroundings of Newbridge House, Donabate, County Dublin.

21/08/2026

68 Arran Street East | Episode 11

In this episode, we take a look at the integration of fire resistance measures into the fabric of the staircase and the reassembly of the mezzanine structure.

Supported by the Historic Structures Fund under .localgov.heritage and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme overseen by .

Project Architect:
Contractor: Glanroy Construction