Publicans appeal loss of O’Connell Street beer garden serving Fibber Magee’s, The Living Room and Murray’s

The operators of three pubs on Dublin’s O’Connell Street have moved to save a popular outdoor social space earmarked for budget hotel rooms.

Dublin City Council last month granted planning permission to Holiday Inn Express for 95 additional hotel rooms that will result in the loss of a beer garden that serves three pubs — Fibber Magee’s, The Living Room and Murray’s Bar and Restaurant.

The additional hotel rooms form part of a six-storey high extension that will bring to 309 the number of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express hotel, located on the corner of O’Connell Street and Cathal Brugha Street

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Developer Findlater House Ltd secured the permission despite opposition from Dublin Central Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan. She argued that the loss of cultural space in Dublin city centre for more hotel rooms was not in keeping with city plans for the area.

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Now the owners and/or leaseholders of the three pub businesses, Noel and Anne Murray, have lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanála against the scheme approval.

O’Neill Town Planning in an appeal lodged on behalf of the Murrays, says they “are vehemently opposed to the redevelopment of this space for a central city budget hotel” on the site.

Lease due to expire

They argue the existing outdoor space provides a vibrant mixing ground for the three pubs, creating a fantastic atmosphere due to the diverse mix of cultures and interests. Granting permission for the hotel extension would “with one stroke of the pen delete an important hub of cultural activity from the north inner city”.

City council planner Neasa Moylan noted the objectors’ reference to the space as a “unique cultural centre”. But she said the land was owned by Findlater’s on a lease is due to expire and that the owner is, therefore, “entitled to cease the use of the area at any time”.

She added that it was not necessarily considered that the areas, which appear to function essentially as a shared beer garden “are a hub of cultural activity when compared to the other rich cultural uses the city offers — theatre and arts centres, museums etc — and, as such, there is no objection in principle to the loss of the outdoor areas”.

A decision on the appeal is due in November.