About Us

Who we are

Dublin Civic Trust was established in 1992 as a limited company. We are an educational trust with charitable status, whose objective is the recognition and protection of the city’s architectural heritage by encouraging new uses for old buildings and generating greater awareness of Dublin's historic built environment. Promoting the development of the city's historic core as a living, breathing, vibrant entity, taking cognisance of its past while embracing the future, is a key aim of our work. 

We are a non-government organisation that generate our own funds through education, policy work, publications, sponsorship and membership - both individual and corporate.  

To learn about the restoration of Dublin Civic Trust's townhouse and shop, click here.

What we do

We aim to create a forum for all citizens with the intention of promoting a better balance between the historic, cultural and social elements of the city, as well as encourage partnership with Government, local authorities and society.

Through conservation courses and seminars we aim to educate and inform on the resource value of period buildings. The qualities that distinguish old from new are fragile and can too easily be lost, but with thoughtful and knowledgeable care they can be protected for future generations.  We promote the principle of best practice for the repair and maintenance of historic buildings, along with the development of employment in traditional building skills and crafts.

We promote the sensitive development and enhancement of Dublin's historic city core in a manner that maximises the unique and irreplaceable resource value of its historic building stock, streets and spaces, creating a living, vibrant city. This is achieved through major policy documents, often carried out in conjunction with city business groups and street traders, Dublin City Council and the Department of the Environment, as well as regular liason and partnerships with city officials and the planning and architectural professions.  

We undertake consultancy work for architects and associated professional bodies, local authorities, private individuals and trade and craft associations. This work consists mainly of the compilation of architectural and historical assessments, impact statements and inventories of buildings, streets and districts.

We research and compile publications relating to built heritage including the highly popular Period Houses, A Conservation Guidance Manual. Our series of books on the secondary streets of Dublin gives a comprehensive overview of many of the capital’s well known streets, and are an invaluable resource for professionals and anyone who loves Dublin.

Achievements

Since our establishment in the early 1990s the Trust has engaged in many projects relating to the built heritage of the city. Just some of these include: 

• Recording structures on many of Dublin’s principal and secondary streets, such as Henrietta Street, Capel Street, Dawson Street and Aungier Street.

• Recording over 15,000 buildings in Dublin and wider area, ranging from townhouses and merchant terraces, to significant public buildings like churches, banks and 20th century structures.

• The complete restoration of five historic buildings – some of which were proposed for demolition - through the Trust’s Revolving Fund, and the reinstatement of further buildings in conjunction with Dublin City Council.

• The compilation of two Architectural Conservation Area policies and inventories for Dublin City Council: O’Connell Street & Environs, and most recently, Thomas Street & Environs in the Liberties. The Trust has also carried out ACA inventories for other local authorities, such as Dalkey and designated streets in Galway city.

• Extensive work in the Liberties area of Dublin, including the publication of historical and advisory leaflets on building typologies particular to residential streets in the area, and the hosting of lectures about caring for and conserving your period home.

• Publishing many inventory and policy documents on built heritage, ranging from an Inventory of Dublin Historic Street Paving and Furniture, a Survey of Thatched Structures of Co. Mayo and a Survey of Industrial Heritage in County Waterford. A comprehensive Survey of Places of Worship within the Dublin City Council area was also carried out.

• The compilation of the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) for local authorities in counties Mayo and Sligo.   

• National Inventory of Architectural Heritage Survey of Kilkenny City and County, 2004, carried out by Blackwood Associates in association with Dublin Civic Trust.

• Grafton Streetscape Survey commissioned by Dublin City Business Association, inventorising and evaluating building stock and appraising streetscape.

• Historic building reports and assessments of many historic buildings commissioned by architects’ firms and private individuals. Work has also been carried out for architectural practices and property companies.

• Declaration reports on Protected Structures for local authorities, as undertaken since the adoption of the Planning & Development Act, 2000. 

• An evaluation of the historic core of Dublin as defined by its Georgian squares and major connecting commercial streets, commissioned by Dublin City Business Association.

• Dublin Civic Trust Awards Schemes: Conservation Awards and Photographic Awards

• One of the principal objectives of the Trust is to work in partnership with Government and local authorities. Through commissioned projects we have worked with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin City Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council, Mayo, Sligo and Waterford County Councils, and Galway City Council.

• Compiling Dublin's Wasting Assets 2010, and inventory of underutilised and at risk buildings in the city, updating the Trust's previous Wasting Assets surveys of 1997 and 2001.

Current and Ongoing Projects

Part of the current work of the Trust is the assessment of the historic core of the city, with an emphasis on the identification and protection of historic streetscape. Some areas we are focusing on are:

• An action plan for historic Thomas Street in The Liberties for Dublin City Council, with an emphasis on maximising its historic building stock.
  
  
• A study of the gable-fronted house tradition in Dublin of the 17th and early 18th centuries.
  
  
• Assessing options for saving a stretch of historic streetscape of North King Street that closes the vista of the north side of Smithfield.

• Developing a policy platform for the renewal of key secondary areas of Dublin city centre.
   

Board and Staff

The activities of the Trust are supported by a Board composed of professionals in the fields of Economics, Law, Public Administration, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Landscape Design.

The Honorary President of the Trust is Professor Kevin B. Nowlan, a well known campaigner for the protection of our architectural heritage.  Prof. Nowlan has been to the fore in engendering a wider appreciation of historic buildings and sites for over half a century and is a founding member of the Trust.

The Chief Executive Officer is Geraldine Walsh and the Chairman is James Kelly.

Other Board members include: Rebecca Jeffares (Hon. Secretary), Raymond Sexton, Henry Blake, Colm Regan (Hon. Treasurer) and Duncan Stewart.

Executive Staff

Support

Dublin Civic Trust relies on public support for its efforts to promote and protect the built heritage of our cities and towns.

The Trust has charitable status in Ireland, reference number CHY8193, and all donations over a designated amount are eligible for tax relief. Please consult www.revenue.ie or download here. 

If you would like to become a Friend of the Trust, please fill in the form at the top (right) of the page, or for further information contact us at the bottom of the page. 

Meeting Room Hire

Our historic first floor drawing room is available for hire for meetings, small conferences, photoshoots and video recordings. Its gracious setting and mellow atmosphere, spanning the width of the house with three tall windows overlooking Castle Street, is the perfect location for business and social meetings, offering all the convenience of the city centre and the prestige of a Dublin 2 address next to Dublin Castle.

The room is typically used boardroom style, featuring an historic table and chairs that comfortably accommodate 10 people. Up to 14 can be accommodated in more casual round-table style. Larger groups are possible subject to special arrangement.

• Projection facilities are available at €20.00 per event. All windows are fully shuttered to control light as required.
• Whiteboard and flipchart are available.
• Tea, coffee and biscuits can be provided at €2.00 per head.

The room is available at half-day, full-day and multiple-day rates. Please telephone our office on (01) 475 6911 for details.

Contact Us

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