Fears grow that Fr Mathew hall may be in danger of demolition

Fears are growing that the Father Mathew Memorial Hall in Church Street, Dublin, used to stage the All-Ireland Feis Ceoil for many years, may be in danger of demolition. The Capuchin friars, who built it in 1890 as a temperance hall in memory of Father Mathew, have informed the local community that the building is "unsafe" and cannot be insured "in its present condition".

The Gothic-style building, according to a contemporary report in the Irish Builder, was to include a main hall and stage, dressing rooms, a coffee bar, committee room, gymnasium and reading rooms.

Originally built to hold temperance meetings, its committee members in 1908 included Sinead Flanagan, who was taken home after meetings by her fiance, Eamon de Valera, on the crossbar of his bicycle.

In a circular letter to their parishioners, the Capuchins said the hall - which served as a makeshift hospital for wounded volunteers during the 1916 Rising - "must be developed" to include a commercial use.

The letter explained that it would not be economical to develop it as a community project alone. "We would like to develop it in such a way that it would include both a community and a commercial aspect." However, it noted that a State-funded £2.8 million community centre was being built on nearby North King Street and this "needs to be kept in mind" when considering the future of the Father Mathew Hall.

Because of falling numbers, the Capuchins have been "forced to reduce our presence" in Church Street. A new, smaller friary is to replace the old one, which is `'far too big and far too costly to run", the letter said.

A side chapel in the Capuchin church is to be turned into a hall which the public can use. The main body of the church is to be retained for religious worship and a new heating system is being installed there.

The Capuchins said they wished to assure their parishioners and friends that, "in all our planning, even though our numbers are smaller, we have been guided by a deep desire to serve the people of the area".

Given that the Father Mathew Hall is not listed for preservation or protection, the Dublin city branch of An Taisce yesterday expressed concern that it could be demolished quite legally at any time.

"We share with MACRO (the Markets Area Combined Residents' Organisation) a sense of outrage at any proposal to demolish this important landmark," said the branch's chairman, Mr Michael Smith.

He urged the Capuchins, "who shoulder so well their ministry to the community", to show imagination by renovating the building as a community arts facility - "much as it was created in 1890". It is understood that an initial approach by MACRO to the Minister for Arts and Heritage, Ms de Valera, drew a response that such a scheme might be considered favourably for funding.