Conservation Refurbishment of No. 11 Parnell Square East Dublin

Description

No. 11 Parnell Square is a well-preserved Georgian house and Protected Structure, built c.1755. (No. 6376, Dublin City Council’s Record of Protected Structures). The house was used for many decades as the headquarters of Dublin County Council - and inherited in this use by Fingal County Council. A two-storey extension was added to the rear in the 20th Century. The Irish Heritage Trust has entered into a partnership with Poetry Ireland and the Irish Landmark Trust to bring No.11 Parnell Square to life as a poetry centre, cultural hub and headquarters for the three organisations. The intent of the proposed works is to revitalize this important Georgian house and to return it to full use as a significant part of the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter. In this vision, the basement of the house will function as an independent set of office and meeting spaces, the ground and first floor of the house and ground floor of the 20th century extension will become a new type of ‘public space’ within the city - with poetry events such as readings and recitals for Poetry Ireland, an education/outreach space within the 20th century building to the rear and a new library at the first floor, displaying the private collection of books once belonging to Seamus Heaney. The upper two floors will remain in office use for all three tenants. These works will include the careful conservation-led refurbishment of the house with the provision of universal access including the provision of a new lift to the rear elevation, and sundry internal and external alterations.