National Concert Hall, National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
Conservation, refurbishment, and extension of the National Concert Hall in Dublin.
4065/24 · Dublin City Council · Lodged 24 July 2024
- Reference
- 4065/24
- Authority
- Dublin City Council
- Register status
- Decided
- Type
- Permission
- Received
- 24 July 2024
Summary
AI-generatedThe project involves the conservation, refurbishment, and upgrade of the existing National Concert Hall buildings. It includes a new three-storey over basement extension, a new two-storey atrium extension, and internal floor insertions.
- Storeys
- 3
- Floor area
- 20,869 m²
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 conservation, refurbishment and upgrade of the existing national concert hall (nch) buildings including: the former university building's butler north-east and south-cast wings and the central butler main entrance block (c. 1914); the former exhibition hall buildings (c. 1865) including the south range, the main auditorium, the john field and carolan rooms; the former ucd medical library and north range. The total floor area of the existing buildings, subject of this planning application, is 16,560sqm. The development includes a new three storey over basement extension to the west of the existing auditorium, ante space and carolan room (3610sqm), the insertion of a new floor to both the studio space (226sqm) and the former medical library (662sqm) and a new two storey atrium extension linking the butler building to. The central 1865 block (336m) and an extension to the basement under the main auditorium (873sqm). The overall area of the proposed development is 20,869sqm (4295sqm basement and 16,574sqm above ground) the main buildings and boundary walls, the subject of application are designated protected structures within the nch complex (ref: rps 2425). Adjacent protected structures include the real tennis court (ref: rps 2426) and iveagh house (department of foreign affairs) and iveagh gardens, including stone garden folly (ref. Rps 7791). In order to facilitate proposed development, the following demolitions are required: 1042sqm two storey former anatomy block (c. 1884 with c. 1930 modifications) plus 332sqm . Of ancillary extensions; 116sqm two storey (1981) plant room with associated roof plant to the rear of the main auditorium; 65sqm two storey (2016) temporary stair block to the rear of the 1865 building 250sqm three storey over basement (c. 1995) sanitary accommodation extension to the rear of butler north-east wing including existing bridge link structure at first floor level; removal of an internal fire stair core (1981) located to the west of the john field room; removal of escape stairs (1981) from the auditorium within the south range; removal of existing (c. 1960) external fire escape stairs between butler building and 1865 block; removal of a section of the basement (c. 1914) under the existing carpark to the front of the south wings of butler building; removal of several internal modern interventions throughout the buildings. The existing limestone façade to earlsfort terrace will be cleaned and conserved. The existing rendered and partly rendered masonry walls to the elevations of the 1865 former exhibition hall buildings shall be repaired re-rendered as appropriate. Refurbishment work will include the conservation and repaired existing external windows, doors, roof lights and upgrading - restoration and repair of existing slate roof and rainwater goods, proposed removal of existing bitumen roof covering to the auditorium and john field room roof structures and replacement with metal standing seam roof finish and new rooflights. Any existing original external glazing will be retained where possible and works will include the upgrade of glazing to some areas. The window openings of the main auditorium shall reopened and a secondary glazing shall be installed externally to the existing windows. The same window treatment is proposed for the nso rehearsal space (former ucd medical library) the works include complete replacement of all mechanical and electrical services and the provision of solar panels and heat pumps. This application includes minor modifications to the former pathology building, previously permitted development (reg. Ref 4975/23). The modifications include: the provision of a roof light in the link structure; the re-ordering of the link structure layout to include changing places facility; removal of 1 no. Tree from the existing landscaped area fronting onto hatch street; amendments to the external entrance ramp and steps. The external works will comprise of hard and soft landscaping, including measures to protect the existing trees, lighting, new steps, ramps and gently sloped inclines to facilitate universal access to the proposed new entrance, provision of café terrace areas for outdoor dining, 84 no. Sheffield bicycle stands (168 bicycles) plus 8 no. Cargo bicycle stands, upgrade of existing foul and surface water drainage lines, provision of suds features and all associated ancillary drainage, bin storage, screened mechanical plant areas and all associated site works on a site area of circa 1.3 hectares. The service vehicle access gate off hatch street will be moved further east to accommodate safer access. The development has been screened for both appropriate assessment, environmental impact assessment. A basement impact assessment and architectural heritage impact assessment has been carried out.
Land-use zoning
What this land is zoned for
“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 planBuilt & sold
What happened next
Beyond the decision: whether this development was built, and what property here has sold for.
Recent sales nearby
within 500 m| Address | Date | Price | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Earlsfort Court, Hatch St Lower, Dublin 2 | Apr 2026 | €325,000 | 141 m |
| 27 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, Dublin2 | Jun 2026 | €1,925,000 | 193 m |
| 9 Earl Court, Adelaide Rd, Dublin 2 | Dec 2025 | €385,000 | 212 m |
| 12 Earl Court, Adelaide Rd, Dublin 2 | Sept 2025 | €411,000 | 212 m |
| 2 Harcourt Terrace, Dublin 2, Dublin | Apr 2026 | €3,340,000 | 265 m |
| 5 Peter Place, Adelaide Rd, Dublin 2 | Jan 2025 | €654,000 | 271 m |
| 37 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 | Nov 2025 | €2,600,000 | 290 m |
| Flat 1, 75 Leeson Street Lower, Dublin 2 | Apr 2026 | €2,300,000 | 296 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 received24 July 2024
- Decision due17 September 2024
- Decision issued17 September 2024
- Permission expiry13 December 2029
In the area
Applications near this site
Other planning applications within about 500 m — what else is being proposed or built nearby.
- Granted50 m away
PROTECTED STRUCTURE The development will consist of the conservation and refurbishment of the existing…
The Pathology Block, at the National Concert Hall, Hatch Street Upper, Dublin 2
4975/23Dublin CityLodged 15 Dec 2023Alterations
- Granted90 m away
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development will consist of the conservation and refurbishment of the existing north…
National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
4951/22Dublin CityLodged 29 Sept 2022Commercial
- Not exempt — permission needed110 m away
EXPP: Internal works at basement to convert 4 no. car spaces to staff wellness centre/gym
6, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
0226/26Dublin CityLodged 5 Jun 2026Alterations
- Invalid130 m away
The proposed development is to replace the existing internal advertising paper panel at the right hand side…
Existing taxi shelter on the public footpath opposite The National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
3800/19Dublin CityLodged 16 Aug 2019Commercial
- Granted130 m away
The proposed development is to replace the existing internal advertising paper panel at the right hand side…
On the existing Taxi Shelter on the public footpath opposite The National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
3968/19Dublin CityLodged 11 Sept 2019Commercial
- Granted130 m away
IPUT plc. Intends to apply for planning permission to amend a previously permitted development (DCC Reg Ref…
Deloitte House, 29 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 (formerly Teach Earlsfort/Earlsfort House) and Garryard House, (formerly 25-28) Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, (and including a 2-level carpark to the rear of both office blocks).
3505/25Dublin CityLodged 22 Dec 2025Alterations
- Granted130 m away
Planning permission for development at a site comprising Deloitte House, 29 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2…
Deloitte House, 29 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
4077/23Dublin CityLodged 4 Jul 2023Commercial
- Granted130 m away
Permission for development at a 0.0194 ha site, located at Block D, the Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrace,…
Block D, The Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
2153/19Dublin CityLodged 30 Jan 2019Alterations
Related developments
Similar applications
Ranked by what these developments actually propose, not by matching words — so you can see how comparable applications were decided.
- GrantedAlterations
PROTECTED STRUCTURE The development will consist of the conservation and refurbishment of the existing…
The Pathology Block, at the National Concert Hall, Hatch Street Upper, Dublin 2
4975/23Dublin CityLodged 15 Dec 2023
- GrantedCommercial
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development will consist of the conservation and refurbishment of the existing north…
National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
4951/22Dublin CityLodged 29 Sept 2022
- GrantedAlterations
PROTECTED STRUCTURE — The development will consist of
6, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, D02 VH98
4768/19Dublin CityLodged 19 Dec 2019
- InvalidChange of use
PROTECTED STRUCTURE : The development will consist of a change of use from office use to student…
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4018/22Dublin CityLodged 19 May 2022
- GrantedAlterations
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The Provost, Fellows, Foundation Scholars and the other members of the Board of the…
The Old Library & Berkeley Library, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin College Green, Dublin 2
2949/20Dublin CityLodged 30 Jun 2020
- GrantedAlterations
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: Permission for development at this site: The Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin, The…
The Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, College Green, Dubln 2
4477/18Dublin CityLodged 28 Nov 2018
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