Hi °C | Lo °C The salvaged facade of the original Abbey Theatre should be incorporated into its new design, says the widow of a Dublin architect who was responsible for saving the granite blocks.
However, the Office of Public Works (OPW) said that it will discuss the merit of this suggestion with the winning architect once the competition to design the theatre has been completed.
Fire
A fire in 1951 meant that the historic building had to be demolished and rebuilt 10 years later.
Former Dublin city architect Daithi Hanly saved the original blocks from being dumped by the contractors who were demolishing the building at the time.
Mr Hanly had the entire facade removed stone by stone and transported to his home at his own expense.
Mr Hanly passed away in 2003, but had always hoped that some of the old theatre's parts and fittings might be used in any new development.
However, although the OPW had previously indicated interest in the granite blocks, it said that they would have to enter into discussions with the competition winners to determine the viability of incorporating these blocks into the design.
The OPW inspected the granite blocks and artifacts in the Hanly home in Dalkey two years ago and in July 2007 wrote to Mrs Hanly stating that it would "explore the possibility of incorporating elements of the old facade into the new design".
However, the letter went on: "If it is not possible or practical, we would endeavour to reuse the material elsewhere in one of our projects or historic sites in deference of your husband's wishes that the material remain in Ireland."
Ms Hanly said that it would be "pointless" to tell the architects about the artifacts after they had made the winning design.
