Government wants Bank of Ireland College Green Site.

deise go deo

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0514/1224296946151.html?via=mr

THE GOVERNMENT wants Bank of Ireland to hand over its historic branch on Dublin’s College Green for use as a major tourist attraction.


Minister for Arts Jimmy Deenihan wrote to the bank on Thursday setting out his wish to acquire the former Irish parliament building for the State for cultural uses. He has requested an early meeting with the bank’s governor, Pat Molloy, to set out his ideas for the site.

Sources said the Minister wants to “open a conversation” on alternative uses for the premises, which were purchased by the bank for its headquarters in the early 19th century.

The move is seen as a first step toward the acquisition of the building, possibly as part of a deal to inject further State funds into the ailing bank. The Government holds a 36 per cent share in Bank of Ireland, which is expected to need further financial support in the coming months. The bank says it has no plans to hand over the building or change it from a working bank, but acknowledged that the Minister had made contact on the matter.

During a recent meeting with leading academics, Mr Deenihan said he hoped to convert the home of the Irish parliament in the 18th century into a major attraction for tourists.

The Government is looking to meet with BoI to discuss the return of Grattans Parliament Building to state ownership for use as a tourist attraction.

The proposed plan is a to create a center celebrating Dublin's literary tradition.

I think this would be a great move, if we have to pay for the BoI's debt's then we should at least get something out of it.

jesus_thats_gre

Goverment will get it for free off of BOI - effectively anyway. Then they will sell it to someone like GAP or something in a few years time when they start selling off assets....

Coriolanus

They should be after the BoI building on O Connell St too.

The Waltzing Consumer

Nevore wrote: »

They should be after the BoI building on O Connell St too.

Are you talking about the older one which is a dentist or something now? Cause the Bank of Ireland on O'Connell Street right now, eh, it ain't that nice. The older one is amazing looking.

Laminations

And Anglo on stephens green. Do Anglo own that building or rent it? If the latter why are they still renting there? Move the offices to cheap industrial park space at the edge of Dublin. If they own it, move the offices and convert the stephens green site into a museum for corruption and the celtic tiger lest we ever forget.

jesus_thats_gre

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Goverment will get it for free off of BOI - effectively anyway. Then they will sell it to someone like GAP or something in a few years time when they start selling off assets....

Starbucks :pac::pac:

later12

It's already a tourist attraction in its own small way, you can visit the chamber during bank opening hours (free of charge) and attend a tour of the lords (also free of charge). Some interesting tapestries, certainly of interest to anyone interested in the history of the building and Irish history more generally.

This is an interesting idea but, given its location, I wonder would it not be better placed as a new Parliament chamber, centrally located and a little more trnasparent, perhaps, than the relatively secluded Leinster House. Or perhaps a site for a more reformed, and indeed independent Seanad Eireann uncoupled from the lower house?

The Waltzing Consumer

later10 wrote: »

It's already a tourist attraction in its own small way, you can visit the chamber during bank opening hours (free of charge) and attend a tour of the lords (also free of charge). Some interesting tapestries, certainly of interest to anyone interested in the history of the building and Irish history more generally.

This is an interesting idea but, given its location, I wonder would it not be better placed as a new Parliament chamber, centrally located and a little more trnasparent, perhaps, than the relatively secluded Leinster House. Or perhaps a site for a more reformed, and indeed independent Seanad Eireann uncoupled from the lower house?

Who wants to see a bunch of unelected procrastinators and academics who offer nothing to the Irish public there? Thankfully the Seanad will be gone soon so that idea won't become reality.

later12

No I said a reformed and more independent Seanad; you seem to be implying something else, along the lines of the current seanad.

ilovesleep

Nevore wrote: »

They should be after the BoI building on O Connell St too.

Is the place across the road from kylemore cafe. Was eyeing it up over breakfast and its a fine looking building.

PatsytheNazi

later10 wrote: »

It's already a tourist attraction in its own small way, you can visit the chamber during bank opening hours (free of charge) and attend a tour of the lords (also free of charge). Some interesting tapestries, certainly of interest to anyone interested in the history of the building and Irish history more generally.

This is an interesting idea but, given its location, I wonder would it not be better placed as a new Parliament chamber, centrally located and a little more trnasparent, perhaps, than the relatively secluded Leinster House. Or perhaps a site for a more reformed, and indeed independent Seanad Eireann uncoupled from the lower house?

Interesting idea.

deise go deo

My own personal preference for the use of the space would be to house a new Language/Cultural center along the lines of this:

http://www.fnag.ie/english/cultural/

The concept of such a center has already been proved in Belfast and Derry and I think it would be a great addition to the life of the city.

HQvhs

I think an interactive museum about the Celtic Tiger and subsequent Depression would be far more interesting and appropriate. It could take in not just the Irish crisis, but also the events that occured across the world (Northern Rock, Lehmann Bros. etc). It would make for a very interesting display IMO.

(And the former HQ of BOI would be an appropriate setting also).

meglome

deise go deo wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0514/1224296946151.html?via=mr

The proposed plan is a to create a center celebrating Dublin's literary tradition.

I think this would be a great move, if we have to pay for the BoI's debt's then we should at least get something out of it.

That sounds like a great idea

later10 wrote: »

It's already a tourist attraction in its own small way, you can visit the chamber during bank opening hours (free of charge) and attend a tour of the lords (also free of charge). Some interesting tapestries, certainly of interest to anyone interested in the history of the building and Irish history more generally.

This is an interesting idea but, given its location, I wonder would it not be better placed as a new Parliament chamber, centrally located and a little more trnasparent, perhaps, than the relatively secluded Leinster House. Or perhaps a site for a more reformed, and indeed independent Seanad Eireann uncoupled from the lower house?

Was in the old House of Lords chamber only last week. Another interesting idea.

Coriolanus

ilovesleep wrote: »

Is the place across the road from kylemore cafe. Was eyeing it up over breakfast and its a fine looking building.

The Waltzing Consumer wrote: »

Are you talking about the older one which is a dentist or something now? Cause the Bank of Ireland on O'Connell Street right now, eh, it ain't that nice. The older one is amazing looking.

Yeah, I meant the one opp the Kylemore. Just had a look on Streetview, wasn't a BoI after all, from the colour scheme it was a TSB. Nice sandstone neo-classical front and copper clad roof. Looks like it's up for rent, so maybe not a siezeable asset anyway.

Photo

meglome

Nevore wrote: »

Yeah, I meant the one opp the Kylemore. Just had a look on Streetview, wasn't a BoI after all, from the colour scheme it was a TSB. Nice sandstone neo-classical front and copper clad roof.

Used to be National Irish Bank I believe.

later12

Yes the former NIB is an attractive building, but desirable as it may be, unfortunately we own quite enough real estate as it is!

On an ever so slightly related note, I don't know if any of you spotted that NAMA has in an enforcement action acquired, for the National Gallery, John Lavery's very appropriately entitled 'Home From Market'. Unfortunately, it would perhaps be better for us all if such items, including real estate however attractive it may be, turned around and went back to market. Anyway I thought the whole thing was a remarkably fitting piece of artistic symbolism!

slimjimmc

later10 wrote: »

Yes the former NIB is an attractive building, but desirable as it may be, unfortunately we own quite enough real estate as it is!

On an ever so slightly related note, I don't know if any of you spotted that NAMA has in an enforcement action acquired, for the National Gallery, John Lavery's very appropriately entitled 'Home From Market'. Unfortunately, it would perhaps be better for us all if such items, including real estate however attractive it may be, turned around and went back to market. Anyway I thought the whole thing was a remarkably fitting piece of artistic symbolism!

Not fitting at all, she's got a paddle, 2 of them and she seem's to be in control and using it wisely.

Coriolanus

slimjimmc wrote: »

Not fitting at all, she's got a paddle, 2 of them and she seem's to be in control and using it wisely.

Using one paddle in a rowboat = going around in circles.
Maybe apt after all!

later12

Just as apt, perhaps, after its immediate symbolism, is just how plainly dull and uninteresting this very Celtic-tiger-collector's piece is. It says a lot to have such a weary, unimaginative colour-by-numbers painting 'return from market', like so many of the ghost estates and repetitive building projects that probably funded it.

At least if it were a Modigliani or a Kandinsky we might say the collector had an imagination, but alas it appears that true to the maxim of art representing life, Derek Quinlan's artistic interests were as vacuous and predictable as his commercial demise.

It really does belong on a tea-set somewhere.

cyclopath2001

deise go deo wrote: »

My own personal preference for the use of the space would be to house a new Language/Cultural center along the lines of this:

I doubt that the Irish speaking community will pay for buying the premises and its running costs.

deise go deo

cyclopath2001 wrote: »

I doubt that the Irish speaking community will pay for buying the premises and its running costs.

Well thats what they plan to do at the minute, did you even look at the link I posted that goes through all this?
The estimate for purchasing the premises and set up is 10 Million, The plan they have now is to collect money and go ahead without government support.(Not necessarily at the college green site)
The center is planned to be self sustaining, ie the money made from sales and events etc would be used to pay the running costs.

Now as the Government are planing on getting the college green site and doing something with it, I think that putting a Language/Cultural there would be quite a good idea.

Pete_Cavan

deise go deo wrote: »

The Government is looking to meet with BoI to discuss the return of Grattans Parliament Building to state ownership for use as a tourist attraction.

The proposed plan is a to create a center celebrating Dublin's literary tradition.

Great idea, it would be made even better by pedestrianising College Green. Of course that cant happen until Metro/Luas BXD are built.

POINTBREAK

This surprises me. I thought that the Government would have taken control of all bank assets at the same time as they bailed them out for billions.
Don't tell me the banks have been allowed to keep all of their assets????
Surely not?

usernamegoes

deise go deo wrote: »

Well thats what they plan to do at the minute, did you even look at the link I posted that goes through all this?
The estimate for purchasing the premises and set up is 10 Million, The plan they have now is to collect money and go ahead without government support.(Not necessarily at the college green site)
The center is planned to be self sustaining, ie the money made from sales and events etc would be used to pay the running costs.

Now as the Government are planing on getting the college green site and doing something with it, I think that putting a Language/Cultural there would be quite a good idea.

It's quite encouraging to see the Irish language community creating a self supporting initiative before you posted the addendum to your post explaining this I wrongly jumped to the conclusion that Irish speakers wanted tax payers to support their initiative. I was pleased to see that was not the case.

I would rather that the College Green site wasn't used for this, how much would the project pay the State for the site? It must be worth a fair bit.

I would rather it be used for reformed Senate building or perhaps a sort of citizen engagement centre for government.

cyclopath2001

usernamegoes wrote: »

I would rather that the College Green site wasn't used for this, how much would the project pay the State for the site? It must be worth a fair bit.

It's quite an iconic building, and given the Irish language movement's inability to promote itself without massively generous government support, I cannot see how they could afford to buy the building. And, if they could, it would be at such a high premium over more utilitarian sites, one must ask why they would choose to spend so much on a location in the historical heart of our English speaking heritage.

charlemont

Its an awesome building..

Dirk Gently

as pleased as I am that the building will possibly becoming a public attraction I can't help but feel a sense of frustration that "discussions" have begun with the bank. At this stage of the game "discussions" should simply be letters from the state informing banks out of courtesy what they intend to to with such assets. Part of deal to inject new funds? go and shite.

I'd welcome both the language / cultural centre or the reformed seanad idea. I also think a living museum outlining our nations history in the celtic tiger / present period is a fantastic idea. Essential site visit for school trips I would think. Do we have the political maturity to pull something like that off in an honest unbiased way though.

usernamegoes

cyclopath2001 wrote: »

It's quite an iconic building, and given the Irish language movement's inability to promote itself without massively generous government support, I cannot see how they could afford to buy the building. And, if they could, it would be at such a high premium over more utilitarian sites, one must ask why they would choose to spend so much on a location in the historical heart of our English speaking heritage.

Well that was my point really. I was surprised that it was said that it might be self supporting. I just wanted to clarify that this didn't mean that they were going to expect the building for free or at a discount.

Rather than see it sold, I would like to see it being used by the State. Not like Custom House though. That's just offices isn't it? What a waste of a great space.

cyclopath2001

clown bag wrote: »

I also think a living museum outlining our nations history in the celtic tiger / present period is a fantastic idea. Essential site visit for school trips I would think. Do we have the political maturity to pull something like that off in an honest unbiased way though.

As the building was not designed to be a bank but as the original seat of our home rule parliament, it would be completely in context to use it to properly explain and document the hugely significant and positive contribution made by Ireland's majority English speaking community in the development of Ireland as a modern country. It's ideally located as a tourist information centre and much higher profile than the Dublin Tourism office in Andrew street.

Given that we badly need to attract foreign visitors, it's ideal for that purpose.

The Irish lobby should save its money and locate itself in a more functional building. They don't need an iconic trophy building. There's plenty of bank HQs they could bid for...AIB or BOI both have fine buildings with modern facilities and easily accessible.

rumour

later10 wrote: »

It's already a tourist attraction in its own small way, you can visit the chamber during bank opening hours (free of charge) and attend a tour of the lords (also free of charge). Some interesting tapestries, certainly of interest to anyone interested in the history of the building and Irish history more generally.

This is an interesting idea but, given its location, I wonder would it not be better placed as a new Parliament chamber, centrally located and a little more trnasparent, perhaps, than the relatively secluded Leinster House. Or perhaps a site for a more reformed, and indeed independent Seanad Eireann uncoupled from the lower house?

A fantastic idea. I would go further close leinster house. Move to this building reduce TD's and reform the upper house to an elected body representing the counties of the state with equal status. Lower house represented by population distribution upper house equal representation for geographical area. Any law must pass both houses.

New building with historical credentials visibly tangible to the citizens of the republic.

In reality of course I am dreaming but a great idea.