Council to decide tonight on building used by 1916 leaders

The fate of one of the key buildings used by the leaders of the 1916 Rising will be decided tonight by Dublin City Council.

Councillors will vote this evening on whether to preserve No 16 Moore Street, which served as the final headquarters of the leaders of the Rising before their surrender to British forces.

The building, which dates back to the early 18th century, had been due for demolition as part of the O'Connell Street/Moore Street rejuvenation plan.

Councillors had originally sanctioned the destruction of the building, but this decision was based on "faulty information", according to An Taisce.

Council officials had misdated the building as Victorian. However, An Taisce, supported by the National Graves Association and Dr Arthur Gibney, former president of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, verified that No 16 was built in the early 18th century.

Tonight's motion, tabled by Labour councillor Mr Joe Costello, proposes to preserve the building as an education and information centre.

According to An Taisce, this will give the council a "moral mandate" to save the building, and, Mr Costello said, "it would be a very courageous city manager who would fail to implement this motion; it has support right across the board in the council".

However, even if the motion is passed, it will not guarantee the preservation of the building. The premises, along with others in the area, is the subject of a compulsory purchase order by the council due to the failure of site owners the Carlton Group to implement the redevelopment plans sanctioned by the council.

However, the Carlton Group is in a High Court action to rescind the CPO. If the action is successful, 16 Moore Street could be in jeopardy.

Dublin Lord Mayor Mr Dermot Lacey believes this is unlikely. "We are seeking to lay down the basis of a policy decision to assure the protection of this historic house and, on the presumption that we win in the High Court, we will be the developer of the site."

The grandson of James Connolly is supporting the preservation of the house. Mr John Connolly said: "We are so fortunate to have an opportunity of having this space to commemorate the men of 1916 so near the main thoroughfare of the city."

Mr Connolly intends to take part in a walk from Moore Street to City Hall at 5 p.m. this evening to show support for the preservation of the building.