Sir, – On May 5th, RTÉ's This Week radio programme featured an interesting and welcome interview with architectural historian Emma Gilleece regarding the refurbishment of the Poolbeg chimneys and also the possibility of developing the Pigeon House area as a national industrial heritage museum.
This idea has been proposed many times in recent years. It may be of help and interest to anyone concerned with the future development of the area to know that in 1992, to mark to 90th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the original Pigeon House power station, a joint project between the staff of the Poolbeg station and a local community enterprise scheme prepared a comprehensive business plan to create just such an entity.
The report and appendices included proposals to develop a museum on the site, the development of the harbour area for cultural and leisure activities and in particular the preservation of the remains of the old military fort and the Pigeon House hotel, which are regarded as some of the finest examples of their kind to be found anywhere.
The report was presented to both ESB and Fás at the time and, although that was over 32 years ago, these bodies may have still have their copies of the report in their possession. – Yours, etc,
HENRY HUDSON,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.