Irish Architectural Archive

Heritage Hot Spots:  What is it?Set up in 1976, the archive, on Merrion Square in Dublin, preserves historical material on Irish architecture. Its collections of drawings, photographs and written records are the largest single source of information on Irish architecture.

Why visit?

It’s a very useful resource for researchers and anyone interested in buildings. Its online Dictionary of Irish Architects, for example, contains biographical and bibliographical information on architects, craftspeople and builders working or born in Ireland from 1720 to 1940. The drawings collection contains examples by most of the great architects working in Ireland, from Richard Castle and Francis Johnston to Michael Scott. Contemporary architects continue to donate their archival material.

Why now?

Restless Pencil, an exhibition of architectural drawings, photographs and works on paper by the Cork-born architect Noel Moffett (1912-1994), is currently on show. Moffett, who taught architecture in the UK and US, was a pioneer who specialised in social housing in London, including Malabar Court (right), in Hammersmith, whose shape he based on the Giant’s Causeway. A series of free weekly lectures on his life works begins on Tuesday, at 1.15pm, in the centre. Booking is essential.

Another exhibition, about the proposed reconstruction of Berliner Stadtschloss, or Berlin City Palace, in Germany, opened yesterday.

How do I get there?

The archive is at 45 Merrion Square, 10 minutes' walk from Grafton Street and five from Pearse Station. It is open Tuesdays to Fridays, 10am to 5pm. Admission is free. See iarc.ieor call 01-6633040.