Dublin City Council intends to transform the vacant Saint Werburgh’s Church into a 250-seater arts venue to benefit the local community and tourists.
The redevelopment is estimated to cost around €5 million and aims to provide a space for various cultural performances.
“It will require some ongoing revenue support from the City Council and/or the Arts Council and will have to generate income through charges/fees,” added the report.
The plan includes extensive renovations to restore the church’s historical features while enhancing its usability for events.
The church is expected to help alleviate the shortage of venues for choirs and small orchestras in the city.
The report shared: “It will require some ongoing revenue support from the City Council and/or the Arts Council and will have to generate income through charges/fees.
“In return for undertaking the proposed works and assuming responsibility for the ongoing maintenance and management of the building, it is proposed that the City Council will take full control of St Werburgh’s on a lease, with limited access being granted to Christchurch Cathedral for services, choir performances etc.”
The proposed changes will consist of:
- conservation, restoration and adaptation of St Werburgh’s Church, a protected structure, and of the attached former Sexton’s House to allow for its continued occasional use as a place of worship, as well as use as a tourism venue and a performance space for recitation and classical music, etc.
- Complete upgrading of the electrical and mechanical systems. Adaptation of the former Sexton’s House to provide additional congregation and circulation space and new staff area at first floor level.
- Construction of a new pedestrian access route through No 10 Castle Street. Minor works will be carried out inside the main entrance, the floor will be repaired and the inside will be extensively redecorated.
- The windows will be refurbished and secondary glazing installed. A new entrance will be constructed in the south wall of the church for fire escape purposes.
- Mechanical and electrical services will be renewed/upgraded. Theatrical lighting and a sound system will also be installed. Limited works will also be carried out in the graveyard.
