Proposals to glaze over the hidden courtyards of the GPO in Dublin and open them to the public as part of a plan to create a museum for the centenary of the 1916 Rising will be presented to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern shortly, The Irish Timeshas learned.
However, it is understood that the principal function of the building as a post office will be retained under the plan. It had previously been suggested that the GPO, which dates from 1814, might be converted into a museum to commemorate the Rising.
Last April, following the first military parade since 1972 to mark the 90th anniversary of 1916, Mr Ahern told the Dáil that no decision had been made on whether the GPO should be closed as a post office and transformed into some type of museum.
There were many creative people who could bring forward ideas, he said. And since then, an informal think-tank had been considering the architectural possibilities of the building, including the proposal to erect glass roofs over its two courtyards.
These would be similar to the spectacular Great Court of the British Museum in London, which was glazed over by architects Foster and Partners as a millennium project. The GPO courtyards have a combined area as large as the upper yard of Dublin Castle.
It is understood that the proposals include opening up public access to the two courtyards from both Henry Street and Prince's Street, which is set to be transformed by Arnotts' plans to redevelop the former Independent Newspapers premises.
The €700 million scheme includes new retail space, cafes, restaurants and bars with 189 apartments overhead, laid out around a central plaza. This would be located off the western end of Prince's Street, which is currently a cul de sac.
With long-delayed plans for another major retail development on the Carlton site and adjoining properties between upper O'Connell Street and Moore Street, the State needed to consider what enhanced role the GPO could play in this new scenario.
It is understood that Arnotts has been involved in discussions with the Office of Public Works about the future of the GPO, and that Dr Pat Wallace, director of the National Museum, has also been asked to put forward ideas for a 1916 museum on the site.
As for what the museum might contain, one source said: "We're certainly not going to re-inter Pearse there like Napoleon at Les Invalides. It's much more likely to be based on the story of Ireland so far, with the 1916 Rising as its centrepiece."
The State holds freehold title to the GPO, which was designed by Francis Johnson, architect of the Chapel Royal in Dublin Castle and St George's Church on Temple Street. An Post rents space for the main post office and ancillary offices on five floors.
A substantial amount of rental income is earned from retail units along Henry Street and in the GPO arcade. It is likely that further retail units will be installed at ground-floor level along Prince's Street, as it becomes a shopping street as a result of Arnotts' plans.