merrion street

· 100 Great Buildings Open - Open Free of Charge

Tuesday 3rd September, 2013: Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will this evening officially launch Open House Dublin 2013 - an event organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation and now in its 8th year. Buildings of architectural quality, many of which are not normally open to the public, open their door over the weekend of 4th – 6th October 2013.

All Open House Dublin events are free of charge. This initiative invites everyone to explore and understand the value of a well-designed built environment.The theme of Open House Dublin 2013 is 100 Great Buildings, from the obvious to the overlooked. The choice of buildings and projects for inclusion in this year's programme reflect on how architecture contributes to our lives and include a variety of building types. 60% of the buildings this year are new to Open House.

Speaking in advance of the launch, Minister Deenihan said “The idea of Open House Dublin is so simple but so powerful: to visit great buildings, in the company of an expert guide, for free. This year’s programme features buildings that keep the city running, buildings as landmarks, buildings with surprises, buildings known mainly to small communities – truly from the obvious to the overlooked. They tell many stories, from the glamour of a luxury hotel to the practical requirements of healthcare, from domestic extensions to civic aspirations, but most of all they tell the story of architectural merit and really good design. I am proud that Dublin is one of the best-established of the 22 cities worldwide that deliver Open House, and am delighted that my Department was once again able to support Open House in 2013."

"I am particularly pleased that once again this year, Open House will continue in Galway and in Limerick making October a significant month for the celebration of our nation's architecture" Minister Deenihan concluded: