St George's Church, Hardwicke Street, Dublin 1
Case history:
The finest classical parish church in Dublin, St George's was designed by Francis Johnston and built in the early 19th century. "Architecturally, it is one of the top 10 buildings in the city," says Michael Smith. The spire measures 208 foot and is the tallest in the city. The church was de-consecrated by the Church of Ireland in 1990 and sold as a commercial venue. Now a club, it was briefly used as a bingo venue being purchased by the current owners in 1993/4, who named it the Temple Theatre. The pews and pulpit were removed and sold and the building was restored at a cost of £2.5 million, according to marketing director Richard McDermott.
"We put in a new floor, restored the ceilings and the stained glass, and we cleared 14 bodies out of the Crypt."
"Some of the original features of St George's, including parts of the pulpit, are now to be seen in Thomas Read's pub," says Michael Smith, chairman of An Taisce. "This is artisan-ship of extraordinary quality, not pub kitsch."
Current status:
The spire, which has been surrounded by scaffolding for 19 years, is the most urgent problem. The owners of the building were told they would receive funding to restore it from the Millennium Committee, but this offer is now being renegotiated as there were reservations about the building being run for commercial purposes. "The tower needs expensive work done by steeplejacks," says Peter Pearson. "The iron clamps which hold the stones together have rusted and expanded. This is a costly job which should be paid for by the State."
10 Mill Street, off Blackpitts Dublin 8
Case history:
"This is one of the last Huguenot houses of its type in Dublin," says Peter Pearson. "It was built in around 1720 as a merchant's residence in an area full of weavers and tanners, many of whom would have been Huguenots." The red-brick, Dutch gabled building had a magnificent cut-stone door-case: "Instead of pillars it had a swan-neck pedimented door-case with lovely columns down the side," says Pearson. The door-case survives and is held in storage for the time being. The house was fully panelled inside, and the panelling has also been salvaged.
Current status:
The building is, in Peter Pearson's words, "a shell that is rotting away". Its owners, Eircom, are working with the Dublin Civic Trust and a team of structural engineers to decide on an appropriate plan of action. Eircom acknowledges the historical significance of the house and has no plans to demolish it.
Academy Cinema, Pearse Street, Dublin 2
Case history:
The former Antient Concert Rooms, where Joyce and John McCormack, Jenny Lind and J.C. Doyle sang, is owned by Ward Anderson. Built in 1843, with a purpose-built concert hall and Telford organ, it was run more recently as a cinema, but, along with many of the smaller cinemas, failed because of competition from multi-screen or more central establishments. Over the past 20 years the building has deteriorated, the roof has been stripped many times, and there have been a number of fires. The auditorium is a smaller version of the one in the National Concert Hall, with an elaborate ceiling. The ceiling's plasterwork has been damaged by water saturation due to leaks in the roof, and about 50 per cent is missing.
Current status:
Ward Anderson has recently been given permission to convert the building into offices. A total refurbishment of the building is planned, including the restoration of the plasterwork on the ceiling of the auditorium. The stonework on the front of the building will also be restored. A new mezzanine floor will be put in, but the ornate ceiling will apparently still be visible.
Riversdale House, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
Case history:
Some of the features of Riversdale House, including the architraves and the gates, date as far back as 1720, but the house is best known for its association with the Nobel prize-winner, W. B. Yeats. He lived there with his wife and two children from 1932 to 1938, and wrote some of his last poems there. It was there that he had his last meeting with Maud Gonne in 1938.
Current status:
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Sile de Valera, recommended that South Dublin County Council refuse planning permission for the redevelopment of Riversdale by Begley Clarke Developments, who had proposed to demolish the house and built 28 apartments. The Council has notified Begley Clarke Developments of its proposal that Riversdale House, along with its gates, bridge and arched piers be added to the council's list of protected structures. The council will make its final decision on whether to add Riversdale to its list by June 13th, after the Minister has looked at any public objections. The council is hoping that Duchas will consider purchasing the house to make it into a national cultural centre. Michael Smith of An Taisce wonders if all four acres of the site will be deemed part of the curtilage of the building: "The new legislation which came into effect on January 1st extends protection to the curtilage of the building, which is the immediate surrounding area. The setting is very important, and Riversdale will be a test case for whether a hard line will taken on the curtilage as well as the building."
Woodlands House, Clonshaugh, Dublin 17
Case history:
One of the few Queen Anne houses left in the country, Woodlands was built in 1730. It was built by the Dean of Santry, a friend of Swift's, who was a visitor to the house. It is described by Maurice Craig as one of the most impressive small houses left in the country. "It is one of the few elegant early houses to survive," says Peter Pearson. "It is a square house, completely symmetrical, with a belvedere (viewing tower) on the roof."
Current status:
Woodlands House is in private ownership and is apparently in good condition. The house and the conservatory are listed buildings, and the house is surrounded by 2.1 hectares of woodland. However, the house has been isolated by roads, and a year ago, the immediate area was given an industrial zoning for an 18-hectare business park, marooning this fine little house - once part of a tranquil rural scene - in an urban wasteland: "If the setting is spoilt, it defeats the purpose of saving the house," says Peter Pearson.
