Mr Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Mr Malcolm Noonan TD, were today presented with the final Report of the Moore Street Advisory Group (MSAG).
The report contains key recommendations to the Ministers on the future of the Moore Street area, including the way forward for the 1916 national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street, the Moore Street market, and the Hammerson plan for the Dublin Central Site which has the job creation potential of 8,600 jobs in the construction phase and 2,600 permanent posts thereafter
The Moore Street Advisory Group began work on its final report in December 2020. The Group’s task was to achieve consensus between stakeholders, including Street Traders, 1916 Relatives and the owners of the Dublin Central Site, Hammerson, who are soon to apply to Dublin City Council for planning permission for its new development proposals. The Group is chaired by Dr Tom Collins and also includes members of the Oireachtas, Dublin City Councillors, and representatives of Moore Street campaign groups.
Minister O’Brien praised the work of the group and paid tribute to it for achieving a consensus vision among the wide range of stakeholders:
“I want to thank the Advisory Group and its predecessors for all of their hard work and commitment over several years which has culminated in this final and visionary report. I also thank the external stakeholders for their positive engagement on this matter. In particular, I want to express my appreciation to Dr Tom Collins for his dedicated chairing of this group.”
“I particularly welcome the report’s finding that Hammerson has very substantially expanded the portfolio of pre-1916 fabric and buildings that will now be retained as part of the development proposals. The history and heritage of O’Connell Street and the Moore Street area require this and ensures the new plans can be aligned with the objectives of protecting the national monument at 14 -17, opening it to the public as a 1916 commemorative centre and resonating the mercantile, social and political heritage of the area of Dublin. Reviving the markets and giving Dublin a national main street and historic area to be proud of is to be welcomed. This report is crucial to the revitalisation of this part of our capital city.”
Minister of State Noonan said the work and advice of the Group has contributed to “the step change we now have away from the previous plans for an indoor shopping centre in the Moore Street area to a much more mixed-use development, including a significant residential component, with reduced car parking and an emphasis on walking, cycling and public transport, that also embraces the street market and the revolutionary history of the area.”
“I too welcome the fact that the Advisory Group now has a consensus vision that they see as representing – in the words of their own report – a once in a generation opportunity. The Group’s recommendations, its commitment to the street traders and its work with all stakeholders in relation to remembrance and commemoration of 1916 events will ensure the preservation and development of the urban heritage in a culturally and historically sensitive manner. A confluence of positive related initiatives point towards the real possibility of the long overdue regeneration of the heart of Dublin town and I am most grateful to the MSAG and its chair for their dedication, collaboration and work.”
Both Ministers said that they looked forward to seeing early progress with all the critical elements needed to rejuvenate and arrest the decline of this iconic part of the city which is so important to Dubliners and visitors alike. They confirmed that funding has now been allocated by the Department to complete the conservation of the State owned buildings at Nos. 14 -17 Moore Street, where the final actions of the 1916 Rising were played out, and to create new visitor and exhibition facilities to the rear. They are also aware that Dublin City Council has major plans for rejuvenating the street marked and that Hammerson will very shortly be applying for planning permission for its Dublin Central site that extends from Moore Street over to the former Carlton Cinema on O’Connell Street.
Ends
The Advisory Group Report is available for download here.