An online petition group has been set up to save the most famous chimney stacks in Dublin from demolition and supporting propositions from city councillors to redevelop the structures.

The Poolbeg chimneys, which are an instantly recognisable part of the city skyline, could be knocked down by the ESB when the plant closes in 2010.

The chimneys, which were built in the 1960s, have never had protection from demolition.

Now an online petition site has received hundreds of signatures to support the idea of developing the chimneys into landmark objects.

Councillor Dermot Lacey is also hoping that Dublin City Council will be able to protect the 207m twin structures from destruction.

Iconic

"These are iconic symbols and have provided the backdrop to the city of Dublin. It's the first thing you see on the way in to Dublin and the last thing you see when you leave," he said.

However, a recent study undertaken by Dublin City Council stated that the stacks are "not of sufficient value to be listed as a protected structure".

The planners said the stacks were currently of architectural interest due to their height, but their present prominence "will be diminished by upcoming developments in the docklands area".

But carefully thought out plans could redevelop the site into an iconic reminder of Ireland's industrial and social heritage.

"We are quite bad at protecting our industrial heritage," said Cllr Lacey. "With the redevelopment of the docks area, I think it would be a good opportunity to mark and recognise the hard working people of an era who formed our city."

Preservation

TD Chris Andrews is also seeking protection for the chimneys and has called for an interim preservation order to be applied to ensure they are not disturbed without the council's sanction.

The ESB said that they will not demolish the landmark stacks until they have received full consultation from Dublin City Council.

Irish sculptor Patrick O'Reilly would like to see his own idea of lighting up Dublin's own twin towers like the Eiffel Tower realised.

"The ESB are only caretakers for the chimneys. They are owned by the State, and thus really by ourselves," he said.

He continued: "The Spire is technically a very strong piece of design but it doesn't have any magic about it, and the scale is nowhere near that of the chimneys. Also, there is something special about the fact there are two chimneys. They're like two friends."

- Claire Murphy