Abbey Theatre + Fianna birthplace on Camden St burns down; Calls for it to be CPO'd

Poster Boy

This seems like a real shame, and yet bizarrely appropriate that the vision for the birthplace of the nation's cultural renaissance 100 years on when we are bankrupt, would be of a slot machine hall. The piece below, from Indymedia, doesn't say whether the cause of the fire is known, but if not I hope the gardaí properly investigate the matter - their Harcourt Street special branch HQ abuts the premises, so perhaps they might have some surveillance footage?

An Taisce call for birthplace site of Abbey Theatre and Fianna to compulsory purchased following fire


The loss by fire of 34 Camden Street in Dublin has massively damaged a site that was the birthplace of both the Abbey Theatre and the Fianna - a terraced early Georgian house with all the criteria befitting a National Monument, An Taisce have said.

According to the charity, The destruction of such a historic and culturally significant place resents a serious threat to Dublin's continued status as a UNESCO City of Literature - a status shared by only 3 other cities, and monitored continually. Heritage tourism is of increasingly essential importance to Ireland's economy.

The building was well documented for Abbey productions at the time of the National Theatres founding, including W.B. Yeat's "A Pot of Broth" (1902 as referenced on the Abbeys website), and plays involving Maud Gonne, Lady Gregory, and the Fay brothers.

In August 1909, the Fianna was founded here by Countess Markievicz, Bulmer Hobson, and others - with the building being used as a key training base before Easter 1916 by Con Colbert, who was subsequently executed - and after whom roads and the Limerick railway station is named.

An Taisce are now asserting that the site must be understood as a National Monument, and is of comparable importance to 16 Moore Street, Dublin 1.

An Taisce also note that Dublin City Council recently refused an application for major alterations to the building so that it could become a slot machine arcade, as an extension of an existing adjacent business.

A spokesperson siad "This site qualifies as a National Monument under several criteria, and is of far too great significance to be left demolished - where the only vision for the birthplace of the nation's cultural renaissance is of a slot machine hall".

An Taisce is now seeking to persuade the State to buy the site under a compulsory purchase order, declare it a National Monument, reinstate the building, and list adjacent Georgian buildings on the Record of Protected Structures.

Interested members of the public and groups can make contact and join the campaign at CamdenStreetAlliance@gmail.com

A Disgrace

Was up there today, the building (No 34) is totally gone so I'm not sure how it could be reinstated. (35-37) are still there, but do need some attention. I believe the terrace of four buildings where sold in December too, for what it's worth.

Dublins historic buildings have never been at more risk and something needs to be done. Would be happy to get involved.

expectationlost

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/commercialproperty/2011/1214/1224309043074.html

reprazant

Well I am shocked that a recently bought building, that was probably listed, should mysteriously burn down, hereby allowing it be now developed as the owner wishes.

hXci

reprazant wrote: »

Well I am shocked that a recently bought building, that was probably listed, should mysteriously burn down, hereby allowing it be now developed as the owner wishes.

Such things have been happening in Ireland for decades. Take a look at 16 Moore Street... Slates mysteriously disappear off the roof and large holes punched in the felt...

Sad to hear this, even if the only mark of significance on the building was a tiny plaque on the second story, only visible from across the road.