Archer’s Garage
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I think they should be made rebuild the garage, and they should not be allowed undertake any further developments in dublin for say 15 years. A custodial sentence may also be appropriate. In future anyone who attempts to demolush listed buildings should forfit the property to the state
In my last post I mistakenly referred to Noeol O’Callaghan as “F O’C”.
I thought his name was Frank! Must have misread some of the earlier post about Frank McDonald and thought that they were about our infamous developer!
Stupid really, because as soon as I realised my mistake, I remembered immediately that I had known christian name was Noel. It must have just been a mental lapse!
I’ve just read of this demolition on my return from Canada to my home in Guyana, South America. I was born in Dublin. The contempt of O’Callaghan and his type for the law is the issue here. Whether the building is worthy of Grade 1 Listing is irrelevant – it was listed and that’s that. To callously demolish it over a bank holiday (was this to avoid traffic congestion or to avoid detection???) is typical of the breed. I commend you all for your campaign and hope the building is rebuilt and that Bord Failte publicly and assertively rid themselves of this rogue element. I’m off now to email Bord Failte to that effect. Bye.
http://www.twotomcats.comThe news that Archer’s Garage is to be rebuilt must be considered a belated success for fair play and respect for the law in Ireland, not just Dublin. The discussion has thrown up a number of penalties that developers could suffer, if they flaunt the law, and witnesses of this recent saga should encourage the Government to introduce very sharp measures in the new legislation. High financial penalties, jail for executive charimen, withdrawal of licence to develop for long periods, are all possible. Otherwise Ireland will remain a small country manipulated by greed and cronyism, of which our history can boast too much.
I am also very certain that the threat of boycotting the chain of hotels concerned has been swiftly effective. However, a crime HAS been committed, as the fabric of the original Listed Big. has been intentionaly swept away forever, by stealth. F O’C should step down immediately from BFE, as he cannot represent responsible business practice in Ireland.
A victory of sorts has been achieved; new measures to prevent a recurrence, and a punishment of the criminal action are now the issues, as the promise to rebuild is just to avoid punishment. The Corp. of Dublin MUST assert its full authority NOW as the planning authority, but local government is too weak, and it will prove itself so in this case. However, its will could be stiffened by the people’s expression of justice.
I sent a letter to Bord Failte, and received the following reply. I would have thought the fact that they have a destroyer of listed buildings on their board would be something that would concern them. Obviously not.
======From: Michael O’Regan
To:[..]
Thank you Paul for your email this is not an issue for Bord Failte as it
involves O’Callaghan Hotels and Dublin Corporation. Should you wish to
raise any particular matter with either of these parties perhaps you
would contact them directly.Thank you for your enquiry.With Best Regards,
The Irish Tourist Board Information Service====
It is interesting that the developer says they didn’t know the building was listed, and that it was all a terrible misunderstanding.
In the first Irish Times report the architect stated that he was shocked that the building had been demolished as they had prepared a design for the demolition of all the other buildings on the site except Archer’s garage (presumably because it was listed).
I’d be interested to know a bit more about Mr O’Callaghan’s past escapades. Since he owns the chain of hotels that includes the Davenport, I presume he was involved in the “redevelopment” of the old Merrion Hall, after the fire which gutted it?
Dublin Corporation seem to be saying that the choice was either force them to re-build it OR fine/sentence, so its going to be the former.
Is this the case (that it is one or the other?)
Is everyone happy about this “re-instatement”?
Has it happened before?
It won’t be the same building will it?
Never mind what the quality will be like.
Presumably it’ll be totally half assed.No, something else stinks here.
Is this what’s happened?
Corpo: We’re going to fine you/possibly imprison you AND you have to re-build it.He/solicitor(s): No. I’ll do one or the other and that’s it.
Corpo: So sorry sir. Anything that you can do will be greatly appreciated. We realise that you’re a very busy man what with fingers in many, many pies. Yes, if you could re-build it that would be lovely. Thanks ever so much. So sorry for inconveniencing you.
Him: Right, well I’ll let it go this time but don’t let it happen again.
very sad and dismayed to hear about Archers garage. As an ex dubliner and a regular visitor to dublin i know what hotels i will not be staying at in future.
I see the last message was posted 4 days ago.. is the demolition now old news? Has O’Callaghan’s spin worked (a sort of variation of the Bart Defense – “Didn’t do it… didn’t see me do it.. can’t prove anything”).
P.
By saying that he will rebuild, he’s hoping to avoid prosecution and resigning from Bord Failte….. we just have to keep up the pressure….. we need more people to send feedback to the corpo and Bord Failte…..
As I stated on the 22nd, a gross offense has been committed and O’Callaghan should resign from Bord Failte, while the Coroporation should seek to make an example of him. However since local government is so weak everywhere today, this will NOT happen unless people – Dubliners and tourist interests throughout the country – insist that the Corp. act speedily in the matter.
Also, this businessman has brought the name of Irish commerce into disrepute, and he should be immediately forced out of public official life. Why not lobby other business institutions to make them aware how their collective image is being sullied in this way.
The threat against the hotel chain has forced the promise to rebuild, really an admission of guilt. This threat should be maintained until the new development complies with the planning law. It seems to have worked quite well, and should only be dropped when full satisfaction is achieved!
It’s called ‘consumer power”.
Is it true that Archer’s was the first Irish building to be made of reinforced concrete?
Anyone find out about the history of the building?
What is thge latest on the rebuilding?
Just to let you all know, watch out for feature on Archers Garage and other items of current planning interest on 20/20, TV3 this Sunday at 8pm.
McQuillan said that the developer has brought all commerce into disrepute. Well, actually they probably think he’s great. That’s the kind of pro-active ruthlessness this country needs – it precisely because of this calibre of businessman that we’re all enjoying this prosperity boom. Personal profit – that’s the goal, sweep aside all obstacles to it.
His one sin is probably his weakness – in giving in to pressure.
Although, that remains to be seen doesn’t it.
A mega billion company is looking for a new chairman. There are two identically qualified applicants.
Do they pick the one who trades arms or the one who saves dolphins?
No doubt the Reconstructed Archers garage will be a sterile replica (Harcourt Street anyone?) part of O’Callaghans new lego block that will no doubt be built on the site.
If the Alexander Hotel was pulled down would anyone feel the same? I doubt it.
How about this as a protest against the destruction of the Archers Garage?
Commission an architects firm to construct a miniature model of each of the O’Callagan Group Hotels (one set per hotel).
Gather some protestors together and on the next Bank Holiday Weekend (August BHW), outside each of the O’Callaghan hotels, destroy the miniature model ‘hotels’ at the precise time that Archers G. was torn down.
Now wouldn’t that be an etertaining spectacle for all those lovely tourists!!!
I noticed today that for urinating in front of an ATM on O’Connell Street that the individual concerned will have to carry a placard saying I apologise.
Maybe there is a lesson here and Mr. O’Callaghan shoud be required to carry a placard for a week corresponding with the hours of demolition i.e 8am – 6 pm saying…
I knew it was listed
I was greedy
I am very sorry
I will rebuild itThere are some additional photographs of archers garage in happier times on the Art Deco Ireland web site.
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Salon/6941/deco1.htm
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