The Irish Times view on plans for the GPO: a terrible idea is born
Sinn Féin and Aontú have accused the Government of plotting to turn the GPO into 'a shopping centre'. While this charge is more rhetorical than realistic – the proposals include 're-imagined retail components' in the existing shops on Henry Street and the GPO Arcade – it reflects an understandable fear that the site's dignity might be compromised in the name of commercial convenience. The idea of a Starbucks beneath the watchful gaze of Cúchulainn rightly causes discomfort, however improbable it may be.
Still, the reaction should not obscure the need for careful scrutiny of what is being proposed. Among the Government's stated intentions are to retain a post office function, enhance the public realm, integrate retail elements and introduce 'significant cultural uses'. Thus far, so good. But it also includes a plan to install a 'high-quality office element on the upper floors to meet ongoing and additional Government requirements'.
This is where the proposal veers off course.
READ MORE
At a time when central Dublin is not short of modern office space – much of it lying vacant – it is difficult to comprehend why the State would invest in converting a historic and architecturally sensitive complex from the 1920s into more civil service workspace. Such a move appears not only unnecessary but tone-deaf to the symbolic role of the building and the opportunity it presents.
The north inner city, and O'Connell Street in particular, have suffered decades of neglect and decline. The GPO, if imaginatively and respectfully revitalised, could be a cornerstone in the area's cultural and civic renewal. That opportunity must not be squandered.
A successful redevelopment should put heritage and public engagement at its core. It must help residents and visitors alike understand the GPO's extraordinary role in Ireland's history, something the current museum on the premises only begins to do. It should also include new public cultural venues: not just one, but several, ensuring that this central, national site is animated with meaning and public value.
As Labour's Marie Sherlock and An Post CEO David McRedmond (who chaired the original taskforce and knows the building as well as anyone) have rightly pointed out, there are better options for additional office space elsewhere. The GPO deserves more than functional repurposing. It deserves vision, respect and ambition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Black Death, Newgrange and the American Revolution: a virtual trove of Irish history rediscovered
The latest tranche of records from the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland (VRTI) has 175,000 new documents lost in a fire at the Four Courts in Dublin during the Civil War in 1922. Pieced together from copies of documents lost in the fire from archives around the globe, the treasury was launched three years ago. Some of the archivists involved choose their favourite documents from this release. The Black Death On Tuesday, October 7th, 1348, the exchequer in Dublin abruptly shut down. The Black Death, which had probably reached Ireland in the late summer, had finally overwhelmed ordinary life in the city. READ MORE For the next five weeks, as the disease raged through the population, the clerks did not do any of their usual tasks of taking and making payments on the Government's behalf. Only on November 12th, 1348 did individuals start to come back to the Exchequer and business slowly resumed as the city tried to come to terms with what had happened. The Dublin chronicler, Friar John Clyn, wrote: 'These cities of Dublin and Drogheda were almost destroyed and wasted of inhabitants and men so that in Dublin alone, from the beginning of August right up to Christmas (1348) 14,000 men died.' The rolls say simply 'nulla' – nothing, repeated again and again down the right-hand side. When the clerks came to write up this roll at the end of the financial year in September 1349, writing this section must have been an unwelcome reminder of an all-too-recent terrifying time. – Dr Elizabeth Biggs, research fellow, VRTI Handwritten notes from the Irish House of Commons debate about the American Revolution, now in the Library of Congress in Washington. The American Revolution Why do thousands of pages of Irish parliamentary debates survive in the Library of Congress, Washington, DC? Long after the Act of Union of Great Britain and Ireland ended the existence of the Irish Parliament in 1801, a collection of diaries containing shorthand notes of debates and their transcriptions (pictured above side by side) were purchased by the Library of Congress in 1876. Created by, or for, Henry Cavendish, from 1776-1789, the diaries provide the only first-hand account of the debates of the Irish House of Commons during the period of the American Revolution and Legislative Independence. – Dr Joel Herman, research fellow, VRTI One of the first ever references to Newgrange comes from document dated from the 1690s. Discovery of Newgrange Newgrange , central to our understanding of Ireland's ancient past, was only rediscovered in the 1690s. The Dublin Philosophical Society, embracing new scientific methods, informed the Welsh antiquarian Edward Lhuyd of a mysterious 'cave' in Co Meath. Lhuyd conducted the first archaeological investigation of Newgrange, observing 'barbarous sculptures', cells, a stone cistern, and bones in the chamber. Though a Roman coin was found, Lhuyd doubted Roman origins, citing the tomb's crude design. [ Newgrange tombs not just burial places for elite, new study shows Opens in new window ] He also dismissed Viking involvement, noting the Irish annals placed their arrival after Roman times. Curiously, local legends of pagan rituals suggested a lingering folk memory from prehistoric times. Lhuyd's work, alongside the Dublin Philosophical Society's, signalled a shift toward modern historical inquiry, blending folklore, manuscript research, observation and early scientific reasoning. – Dr Eamon Darcy, Maynooth University A letter from 1661 relates to a proposed meeting of Franciscans in Mayo or Donegal hoping for a more tolerant attitude from Charles II. A plea for tolerance This letter, written in Irish, was discovered on the person of a Neale MacDavid when he was arrested between Donegal Town and Barnesmore Gap in August 1661. Alarmed, the arresting officer struggled to find someone to translate it. When he did, he sent the letter straight to his superiors in Dublin, who forwarded it to London. It is now among the intelligence files in the State Papers Ireland at the National Archives, UK. What had alarmed the authorities? The letter relates to a proposed meeting of Franciscans in Mayo or Donegal. With Oliver Cromwell dead and Charles II now in power, they hoped to reorganise their order under a more tolerant government. The original translation and the enclosing papers all survive. – Dr Neil Johnston, the National Archives, UK A letter from Anne Macartney to her cousin, Sir George Macartney, Chief Secretary in Dublin, about a duel he allegedly fought with Lord Moira, an Irish peer and political opponent. Racism and a duel In December 1769 Anne Macartney wrote to her cousin, Sir George Macartney, Chief Secretary in Dublin, about a duel he allegedly fought with Lord Moira, an Irish peer and political opponent. " . . . I am shocked to death about you. I have just heard you have fought a duel with Lord Moira, and are wounded . . . my God I hoped you had lived too long from the Hottentots to be affected by anything they could utter." Hottentot was a racist label historically applied to the Khoikhoi peoples of southern Africa. Here, Anne Macartney is describing not Africans, but Irish people – she hoped George Macartney had outgrown the influence of the 'native' Irish. Born in Antrim and educated at Trinity College Dublin, George Macartney identified as English. Although tensions ran high between him and Lord Moira, this duel never actually took place. But the rumour reflects the political heat. However, Macartney would fight real duels during his diplomatic career. In the 1780s he fought two duels – one in India and another in London. In both, he was wounded; the second time, seriously. Macartney is remembered for describing the British Empire as one on which 'the sun never sets'. He died in 1806, without children. – Dr Timothy Murtagh, Research Fellow, VRTI This map, produced as part of the 1891 Census, shows the 'rateable valuation' of land across Ireland. Where was the richest farmland? This map, produced as part of the 1891 Census, shows the 'rateable valuation' of land across Ireland. Local taxes were calculated on this assessment of local land values. Landowners in northwest Donegal and Meath paid very different rates. As these local taxes paid for local welfare, the policy ensured that poorer, overcrowded regions fared worst in times of crisis like the Great Famine. This map, from a few decades later, suggests that the basic problem remained. But modern statistics-gathering and printing of strong visuals, such as coloured maps and diagrams in the census report, helped make a case for land reforms in the late 19th and early 20th century. – Dr Ciarán Wallace, co-director, VRTI
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Mick Clifford: Third-level fee rise sparks backlash — but who is really hardest hit?
For most of the week, a cohort of middle Ireland was on RTÉ's Liveline. Joe is no longer there to talk to, so they made do with Philip. And boy, did they have a lot to get off their chests. The topic that has got many people angry enough to pick up the phone is what looks like an increase in third-level fees. This payment is called a 'registration fee'. It stood at €3,000 but was reduced in 2022 to €2,000 as a cost of living measure. This was one of a number of supports provided by the Government to offset steep inflation. Then, this week, the minister for higher education James Lawless, let it be known that the fee will revert to €3,000 in the next budget. Cue outrage. It should be noted that the Government is being hoist on its own petard. Once the reduction was introduced there was no way it was going to be clawed back until the election was done and dusted. Those who send their children to third-level are the heart of the electorate. They needed some loving if they were to do the right thing at the ballot box. Now the returned Government is learning that unless you want to be reckless, there arrives a reckoning. What they giveth before the election, they taketh away once returned to the pig's back. Opposition The first strand of opposition to the measure came from, well, within the Government. Fine Gael are all against it. A primary reason for this is that one area where the party is wildly popular is the fee-paying second-level sector, from which practically 100% of Leaving Cert students go onto third-level. (Nationally the figure is around 75%). Those parents are willing to fork out up €8,000 annually to give their children the best start and advantage possible, and that is laudable. But apparently, for some at least, it is outrageous that they should be asked to revert to the original registration fee for a third-level which is already subsidised by all taxpayers, not just those who have offsprings attending the sector. What we have, we hold, would appear to be the prevailing sentiment. When the news broke, Liveline went into overdrive. At times like these, I always revert to my favourite example of Liveline outrage. This was back in 2009, in the wake of an economic crash that would ultimately result in widespread devastation, most particularly on those least able to bear it. One of the measures introduced by a government on the precipice of bankruptcy was a €200 tax on second or more homes. So onto the radio comes this woman who was absolutely devastated. Where, she demanded of Joe, was she supposed to come up with the €1,400 that would be required for her seven properties? Did the government think money grew on trees, or maybe in the flower boxes at the windows of her various properties? So it went in the last days of the suspended reality that informed the Celtic Tiger years. Financial impact Any increase in taxes or fees or charges is going to have an impact on a cohort of the population. That goes without saying. For some people this impact might reverberate in the weekly food shopping, which is pretty devastating, particularly when there are children involved. For others, quite possibly, it might demand a rethink of various holiday plans. And, for more again, the impact might be on a lifestyle that has come to be considered a right rather than, in any element, a luxury. Just a few facts might be noteworthy in terms of the debate this week. A household must be earning at least €115,000 to be liable for the full registration fee. That's not a huge sum these days, but it is over twice the average industrial wage. Nearly all parents who have to pay the fee are homeowners, putting them on one side of a growing divide in society today. As homeowners, they pay a property tax that would be considered a joke in the vast majority of developed countries. Their wealth, as measured by their biggest asset, has increased exponentially in the last fifteen years. This cohort of society is also likely to be among those who account for the €158bn which the Central Bank reports represents household savings in the State. On paper, in general, by the standards that apply to society as a whole, the cohort liable for the full registration fee are doing relatively well in today's world There will be some who have particular circumstances which would render an increase in the fee as delivering a blow rather than an adjustment. Included among these are parents who must locate accommodation for their offspring. Certainly, some allowance should be made there, but beyond that, are we talking real hardship for a considerable number of people? Is it all about who shouts the loudest on air, delivering narratives that are heavy with emotion but simply cannot be verified? There was no outrage recently when the CSO published its latest Survey of Income and Living Standards which revealed that over a quarter of a million children are experiencing 'enforced deprivation'. These children are defined as living in a household that was unable to afford the goods and services which are considered the minimum essentials for a decent standard of living such as being able to buy a winter coat, afford a new pair of shoes or being able to replace broken furniture. These children, in all likelihood, will never have to worry about third-level education, not to mind registration fees. According to the ESRI, childhood poverty increases the chances of 'greater interaction with the criminal justice system', and is also associated with 'lower third-level education and higher rates of unemployment in adulthood'. Should children in these circumstances be given any kind of priority when it comes to deciding how best to spend public money? Apart from priorities, a whole range of financial watchdogs and monitors have asserted that the State is underfunded. This is definitely the case in third-level education. Infrastructure to support home building is particularly bad, but extra funds will also be required to tackle an aging population and the ravages of climate change. Where is that money going to come from? At the rate we're going it won't be from those at the heart of the electorate who shout the loudest. We live in difficult and uncertain times. There are various problems and challenges across society, some life-defining, others worrying and yet more capable of heightening public anger. But are priorities to be decided exclusively on who is best at utilising the media, at threatening politicians to withdraw support, at knowing how to play the system? If that continues to be the defining compass in determining policy there will be a bigger cost to pay in the future. And it won't be just those at the lower rungs of the socio-economic ladder who will be paying it.
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Water bonuses are hard to swallow
Sir, – I noted three headlines in The Irish Times on July 2nd which surprised me. They are as follows:- (1) 500,000 people across State use 'at risk' drinking water, (2) Water system a major block on growth, Ifac says, (3) Total bonuses at Uisce Éireann top €13 million. READ MORE I'm mystified why employees at Uisce Éireann should receive bonuses for doing what they are employed to do. – Yours, etc, LESLEY KERRIGAN, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.
