Ag Sábháil ár n-Oidhreacht (Saving our Heritage)
In August 2020, a decision was made by An Bord Pleanála which was supported by Dublin City Council, to demolish the O’Rahilly house in 40 Herbert Park Ballsbridge Dublin. Michael Joseph O’Rahilly one of the 1916 leaders owned this house which was used to plan the Howth Gun running operation and was also a meeting place for Na Fianna Éireann and the Irish Volunteers. An integral part of Irish history, many were outraged by the decision to replace the house with apart-hotels with a price range of over €625,000.
It was argued the proposed project would “solve the housing crisis”. However, at that price range, who would be able to afford them? Raising the question of how these accommodations would have solved the housing crisis among individuals with modest incomes.
Ireland has a rich historical heritage, and more effort should be made to preserve it. James Connolly Heron (James Connolly’s great grandson) has pointed to the fact that “there are 31 locations in the city directly related to the Easter Rising and 19 of them have been demolished, O’Rahilly House would have been the 20th”, if An Bord Pleanála plan’s had succeeded. Joining those of well loved patriots like Robert Emmet and Wolfe Tone’s houses.
An online petition made its rounds and protests were organised mostly by O’Rahilly’s Grandson, Proinsias O’Rahilly, Ógra Shinn Féin and Aontú. Ógra Shinn Féin lobbied every member of Dublin City Council to block the proposal. The response was overwhelmingly positive. For example: Fianna Fáil councillor, Deirdre Conroy, (a barrister with a degree in history) insisted “There is no urgency in Dublin for apart-hotels and ridiculously expensive apartments”. She also emphasised the fact that Anne Frank’s House in Amsterdam is now a renown heritage site and suggested that the house should be transformed into a museum that would attract visitors (a sentiment echoed by O’Rahilly’s Grandson).
A motion was lodged by Sinn Féin councillor, Mícheál Mac Donncha to save O’Rahilly’s House, supported by Hazel Chu (Green Party) and currently Lord Mayor of Dublin. On the 14th of September the motion was set to be debated in the Mansion House. A protest was organised by Ógra Shinn Féin’s Ciarán Ó Meachair. Those in attendance included two Sinn Féin TDs, Chris Andrews and Aengus Ó Snódaigh. It was a joyous victory when we heard the motion to preserve the house and make it a listed building passed unanimously, thus avoiding further debate. Proinsias O’Rahilly, is quoted to have said on social media:
“Yippie!!! Yippie!! Success!! Emergency motion to have my Grandfather’s home to be listed passed just now at DCC (Dublin City Council) meeting in the Historical Round Room!!! No Demolition!! Thank you everyone, I know who you are!!! It was a good fight anyhow”.
le Christine O'Mahony