GrantedAlterationsDecided 24 August 2020

The Old Library & Berkeley Library, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin College Green, Dublin 2

Refurbishment and alterations to the Old Library and Berkeley Library at Trinity College Dublin.

2949/20 · Dublin City Council · Lodged 30 June 2020

Reference: 2949/20
Authority: Dublin City Council
Register status: Decided
Type: Permission
Received: 30 June 2020

Summary

AI-generated

The project involves major refurbishment, alterations, and fire protection upgrades to both protected library structures. Works include below-ground additions beneath Fellows' Square with a new entrance, reconfigured external stairs, and a partial change of use to tourism.

Alterationsprotected structureuniversitytourismrefurbishment

Generated from the description above by an AI model and may contain mistakes. The council’s description is the authoritative record.

Official record

Development description

Protected structure: the provost, fellows, foundation scholars and the other members of the board of the college of the holy and undivided trinity of queen elizabeth near dublin, intend to apply for permission for development at the old library (a protected structure ) and berkeley library (a protected structure) trinity college dublin, the university of dublin, college green, dublin
The development will consist of refurbishment, demolitions, alterations, introduction of building services and fire protection measures to both to the old library (a protected structure, rps 2004) and berkeley library (a protected structure, rps 2005), below-ground additions beneath fellows' square with a new entrance structure, reconfiguring of external stairs and ramps, and change of use of part of the podium interior from ancillary library use to tourism use. This application seeks permission for the following works
Works to the old library (a protected structure) to include
External works: removal of non-historic steps, ramp and guardrail at fellows' square entrance, and replacement of the non-historic door with fire-exit doors ; removal of the existing steps at the library square entrance and replacement of the ary podium; refurbishment of historic facades, windows and roof, replacement of rooflight glazing and provision of new ventilation louvres
Substructure works; underpinning of section of the existing building to provide for new services connection to ground floor arcade, west and east pavilion and new basement under the east pavilion and modified link to the berkeley library and to 1937 reading room
Long room- removal of non-historic central stair, introduction of trench-heating grilles in floor and extract air slot in gallery level alcove vaults, replacement of linoleum floor covering and window blinds, providing new natural light controls , insertion of new fire-resisting doors to east and west pavilions retaining historic doors, replacement of rope lines with new exhibition information plates, general refurbishment works. Relocation of existing lift access doors from east pavilion within the long room. Replacement of non-historic door at gallery level to east pavilion with door to historic design
Ground floor arcade - removal and modification of non-historic floor, retaining and relocating surviving areas of historic paving, removal of mezzanine, shelving, library storage and partitions in the ground floor area to allow for new circulation strategy and configuration of rooms. Modification of 1 no. Historic opening and forming 1 no. New opening in historic fabric. Provision of new central spine wall and new service risers. Provision of new raised floor and services floor zone to the south of 'spine wall'. Relocation of reading rooms from upper floors to new research collection study centre to the north side of spine wall and new book of kells exhibition to the south of spine wall. Provision of new services, partitions, ceilings, floor finishes and sanitary facilities; relocation of 2 no. Previously moved historic doorsets
Interventions to west pavilion- replacement of the non-historic service stair and lift; enlargement of previously relocated door opening, provision of new door openings to service stair and lift core on all levels (total 6 no. New and 1 no modified door openings in historic fabric); closing access to early twentieth-century stair to basement level and provision of floor access hatch (connection to 1937 reading room); replacement of earlier steel supporting structure to grand stair to improved detail; reinstatement of floor finish to historic detail; reconfiguration of ground floor and first floor rooms to integrate new lift with new steps, accessible toilet and security room at ground floor; removal of non-historic partitions, wall, floor and ceiling finishes at second and third floors and provision of arrangement including removal of concrete third-floor slab, provision of new timber floor, sanitary facilities and services; provision of plantroom to house new air-handling units (ahus) in roof space, retaining historic trussed structure
Interventions to east pavilion- removal of existing insertions comprising concrete staircase at ground to first floor, concrete staff stair and lift shaft to all levels, corridor wall at existing basement level, suspended mezzanines at historic second floor, including supporting structure above and later insertions; enlargement of existing basement and creation of lower basement with new link to basement level in berkeley podium; provision of new risers, stairs and lifts to all levels; provision of new ground level slab; removal of non-historic walls, ceiling and floor finishes to new circulation areas; alterations to floor, ceiling, walls and shelving in first-floor fagel collection to upgrade fire compartmentation, including new glazed wall and doors between collection and circulation area; provision of new timber floor over second floor; provision of new partitions and finishes to new storage rooms. Provision of plantroom to house new air-handling units (ahus) in roof space, retaining historic trussed structure
Works to the berkeley library (a protected structure) including provision of new entrance pavilion within fellow's square for visitors to the old library through the berkeley library podium, with new stair and lift down to a new visitor welcome and ticketing area; replacement of later steps and ramp up to external podium level from fellow's square, and of original ramp from college park; reconfiguration of levels and repaving of sloped area along museum building paving and waterproofing repair works to podium roof; refurbishment of original rooflights to roof and side walls of podium, and of original glazed lobby facing museum building; provision of new smoke extract ventilation grille level to ground surface to northwest side of podium, new grille under the new ramp and related structural openings
Interventions and amendments to the interior of the berkeley library podium (a protected structure) to include
Removing internal blockwork partitions, floor screed and later shelving system including supporting structure to create visitor centre with associated functions, including new partitions and sanitary facilities; alteration of mezzanine level link connection to old library east pavilion and at basement level creation of new opening in original wall as connection into new basement under east pavilion resulting in an increase in floorspace of 163 sq. M; replace original existing mezzanine floor slab on east side with new exit stair to replace original timber and concrete stair and extension of mezzanine area resulting in an increase in floorspace of 253 sq. M
Provision of a new public entrance point from fellows' square to proposed new visitor's centre below the berkeley library podium to include ticketing (41 sq. M) and welcome area (148 sq. M), and a change of use of part of the existing below podium from ancillary library use to tourism use to include retail areas (296 sq. M), exhibition space (143 sq. M), cloakroom (70 sq. ), exhibition introduction area (91 sq. M) storage and associated back of house, circulation and storage areas. The total area subject to change of use is 993 sq. M. The proposed development will increase the existing gross floor space below the existing podium and below ground level by c. 708 sq. M
General works to both buildings including upgrading of the internal fabric to achieve required fire rating. Replacement of the existing services. General refurbishment of internal fixtures and finishes. Provision of new lighting, security, fire detection and suppression systems. Provision of new information and fire escape signage
New single-storey basement beneath fellows' square to accommodate proposed energy centre (764 sq. M) with heat pump, ahu, ict and electrical room, pump rooms, water storage tanks with 3 no. Connections into floor void in old library colonnades
Permission is also sought for all associated site development, temporary construction operations, landscaping, external lighting, signage and boundary treatment works & to include removal of some existing trees and adjustment of the external ground levels at fellows' square and around berkeley library podium

Land-use zoning

What this land is zoned for

Z8: Georgian Conservation Areas

“To protect the existing architectural and civic design character, and to allow only for limited expansion consistent with the conservation objective.”

National zoning type: General

Objective set by the Development Plan 2022-2028 (2022–2028). The planning authority decides each application on its own merits — this is the zoning context, not a compliance assessment.

Read the zoning objectives in the development plan

Built & sold

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Beyond the decision: whether this development was built, and what property here has sold for.

Recent sales nearby

within 500 m

Residential Property Price Register sales within 500 metres of this site
Address	Date	Price	Distance
Apt B, 116 Grafton Street, Dublin 2	May 2026	€660,000	190 m
14 College Close, Tara St, Dublin 2	Nov 2025	€320,000	230 m
38 Trinity Plaza, Pearse St, Dublin 2	Jun 2026	€394,000	246 m
46 Trinity Plaza, Tara St, Dublin 2	Apr 2026	€475,000	246 m
33 Trinity Plaza, Tara St, Dublin 2	Jul 2025	€250,000	246 m
25 Trinity Plaza, Townsend St, Dublin 2	Aug 2025	€518,000	246 m
Apt 3 Lafayette Building, 1 5 Dolier St, Dublin	Oct 2025	€400,000	331 m
43 Corn Exchange, Poolbeg St, Dublin 2	Mar 2025	€411,000	353 m

Nearby properties, not this site — a guide to local values.

Sources: Building Control Management System (commencement notices) and the Residential Property Price Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Records are matched to this application by location and may not be exhaustive; always confirm against the official source before relying on them.

Key dates

Timeline

Application received30 June 2020
Decision due24 August 2020
Decision issued24 August 2020
Grant issued6 October 2020

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