Rising building to be protected

Councillors in Dublin have voted unanimously to protect 16 Moore Street, the last headquarters of the 1916 Rising leaders, and three adjoining houses on the street.

The vote was taken following a campaign to save the building which had fallen into disrepair. The houses were built in 1763.

A report by architects Shaffrey and Associates and urban historian John Montague had recommended that the building be put on the Record of Protected Structures for its connection to the Easter Rising and for its architectural merits.

The report also recommended that houses either side of No 16, at 14, 15 and 17, be added to the Record of Protected Structures.

Councillors commended the report’s authors and the Save 16 Moore Street committee which campaigned to highlight the importance of the building.

Sinn Féin Councillor Daithi Doolan said he was delighted at the conclusion “that this historic building will now be protected from the grubby hands of private developers”.

He called on Minister for the Environment Dick Roche to now declare 16 Moore Street a national monument.

“It is only fitting that this building receives the national recognition it deserves.”

Councillors also suggested that the buildings could become part of a historic quarter for Dublin.

“To develop the area into an historic quarter would be a fitting tribute to all those who fought and died during the 1916 Rising,” Doolan said.

Historical analysis found that the rebel forces fled their headquarters at the GPO (General Post Office) on O’Connell Street for Moore Street on April 28th, 1916, and spread themselves throughout the terrace.

The following day the leaders of the Rising congregated in No 16, from where Padraig Pearse eventually approached the British forces to declare the surrender.

Urgent Appeal