The Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, along with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Government Chief Whip and Minister of State, for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers TD, today announced joint funding of €50,000 under the Irish-language shopfront stream of the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) for conservation and restoration works at 55 Amiens Street, in Dublin's North Inner City.

No. 55 Amiens Street is a building of great historic significance due to its connection with the Irish Republican, Tom Clarke, who operated a tobacconist here from 1908 – 1911. Today’s funding will contribute to the conservation and restoration of the original Irish-language shopfront, while supporting the structural works necessary to safeguard this part of the building. It will also assist with the reinstatement of the gilded sign-writing on the shop windows. The funded works will help commemorate an important era of Irish history and are part of an overall plan to bring this historic, protected building back into use. The project is being overseen by Dublin City Council and, on completion, the building will house community, cultural and social enterprise.

PICTURE GALLERY below

Through the investment of capital funding in our valuable built heritage, the HSF assists owners and custodians of historic and protected structures across the country to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public. Today’s announcement follows the award in April of €3m towards 85 other projects under the HSF.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Minister Noonan said:

“I am delighted that my Department along with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is providing funding towards this very exciting project. The use of the ground floor by the Irish Republican Tom Clarke makes 55 Amiens Street a very significant historical building, and the restoration of the shop frontage with the traditional Irish sign writing will be the first step in bringing this important building back into use for the local community.”

Also commenting, Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD, said:

“I am delighted to be announcing today, along with my colleagues Ministers Noonan, Martin and Chambers, this investment under the Historic Structures Fund in this remarkable historic building. The HSF helps to safeguard our rich built heritage, keeping many buildings in use and helping to bring others back into use – the funding announced today will not only bring 55 Amiens Street back into use but will contribute to the wider regeneration of this historic street at the heart of Dublin City.”

Speaking today, Minister Martin said:

“I am pleased to be working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in helping Dublin City Council breathe new life into no 55 Amiens Street. When Tom Clarke had his shop here, it was illegal to have signage in the Irish language. The restoration of this signage under the HSF not only commemorates an important chapter of our history but is a celebration of our language. I am very much looking forward to seeing this project come to fruition.”

Minister Chambers added:

“The Irish-language shopfront stream of the HSF complements the supports provided by my Department to assist the business community in respect of the Irish language. I look forward to seeing the results of this project, and hope its success will encourage other owners of eligible historic structures to apply for funding to assist with bringing these old shopfronts back to their former glory.”

Applications to the Historic Structures Fund are now closed for 2021 but it is hoped to run the shopfront stream again in 2022. Applications for next year’s HSF will open later this year and details will be posted on the Department’s website and on the websites of local authorities.

Source: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage