Olympia Theatre Portico
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I heard that the wrought iron portico of the Olympia Theatre has been destroyed by a truck ploughing into it this morning. No need to worry I suppose …it was due a bit of refurbishment, and could be easily replaced.
Need to worry more about the amount of extremely bad drivers on Irish roads …..especially those driving lorries.Yikes – suppose it was waiting to happen, what a pity.
It least it did before the current restoration plans were carried out.Wonder what damage was done – I think a pic is in order.
Amazing that nobody was killed or injured and lets be grateful for that.
But now who’s going to pay for this to be reinstated – I heard the news mention the City Council – but surely they don’t foot the bill? The drivers insurance must cover this.
They’re expensive yokes those classical examples of Victorian glass and ironwork – Todays indo reports Olympia architect Siobhan Sexton as saying that the intention now was to restore the canopy with the damaged pieces, but the cost was likely to be higher than the €100,000 estimate prior to the accident.
Anyone got a photo? All those camera phones and not a photo between us!I have some but you’ll have to wait till later for them to be uploaded 🙂
As suspected it was featured in the ‘news in brief’ section on News 2 last night, and what a sorry sight, with the canopy (mostly in one piece) lying on its side on the ground. It seems the truck hit the right-hand supporting column, sweeping it clean away causing the canopy to collapse directly downwards.
The left column is still there, with the beam linking to the building, but that’s it.It is a miracle no one was killed, either by the truck or the collapse. On the radio this morning it was whinged about why the truck had to knock into a 110 year-old frilly canopy, instead of Busáras.
To take something from the incident, at least a better restoration job can be done now 🙂Really looks naked without the canopy doesn’t it.
Before the accident
http://www.irish-architecture.com/buildings_ireland/dublin/southcity/dame_street/olympia_canopy_external_lge.html
Is this really going to be restored? I heard from an eyewitness that the broken portico was getting thrown into truck – ie : not carefully placed numbered and wrapped. Cast iron and glass is not the most robust material to be throwing about. More needless damage was caused in taking it away and it looked like it was being skipped rather than phase one of a sensitive restoration.
Can anyone verify?So sad about the portico. Was much of the coloured glass smashed?
Ironically the theatre got planning permission last year for various work including the refurbishment of the portico & widening of the pavement there by a metre (Ref. 5880/03). Portico damage probably wouldn’t have happened had that been done by now cos the truck backing out of the lane would have backed a bit further in a straight line to reach the road & so would’ve missed it. But as fin used to say it’s academic now cos it’s already happened.
It should be refurbished according to the principles of best conservation practice – with the emphasis on retaining maximum original fabric & minimum replacementof original material. Far as I know the DCC Conservation Oficer was down after it hapopened.@Lotts wrote:
Is this really going to be restored? I heard from an eyewitness that the broken portico was getting thrown into truck – ie : not carefully placed numbered and wrapped. Cast iron and glass is not the most robust material to be throwing about. More needless damage was caused in taking it away and it looked like it was being skipped rather than phase one of a sensitive restoration.
Can anyone verify?New signage put up overnight. Looks like they put at least 5 minutes thought into it.
The new sign although of poor design quality, looks rather like it’s here to stay rather than a tempory measure till restore is complete.
Sorry – no photo yet.
Anyone know how were they able to install that sign on a protected structure without applying for planning permission? [or did I miss it?]
Here’s the original pp for restore of the canopy which was granted permission back on the 18th Nov 2003
http://www.dublincity.ie/planning/decis/year03/week47.pdf
App 4736 /03Location: The Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street, Dublin 2. Proposed development: Restoration of cast-iron canopy and glazing to Dame Street elevation. Increase to footpath of one metre at Dame Street entrance. Alteration of signed to Dame Street elevation. Painting to Dame Street elevation. Restoration of sash windows, alterations to central ticket office in entrance lobby. Enlargement of stalls area. Removal of WCs to the rear of stalls. Alterations to Sheridan’s Bar and Maureen’s Bar. New fire exit from Maureen’s Bar to Sycamore Street. Demolition of single-storey structure at Crampton Court. Erection of four-storey structure at Crampton Court to include WC areas and storage. Alterations to dressing rooms and wcs at first floor level and general refurbishments internally. This application involves works to a protected structure. Applicant: Olympia Theatre.
Here’s the latest on the ongoing sage.
The delay is being blamed on the lack of granite in the city… Interesting in light of some of Devin’s comments re: Henrietta streetTime is yawning for theatre awning
IT IS one of the longest-awaited openings in the Olympia Theatre’s history.
Staff at Dublin’s famous city-centre venue are frustrated that its newly restored canopy has still not made its debut over two years after it was taken down.
The ornate architectural awning has languished in a Scottish engineering firm’s warehouse since it was severely damaged after a truck backed into it in 2004.
A veteran employee has accused Dublin City Council of holding up the installation of the canopy, which has been fully repaired for over a year.
Maureen Grant (81), who is believed to be Dublin’s oldest serving barmaid, said the council has not fulfilled its promise to widen the path below the structure.
The city council previously stipulated that the path on Dame Street had to be extended by two feet before the canopy could be re-erected.
Its painstaking restoration has already caused a lengthy delay since the intricate, multi-coloured glass and lead structure was shattered.
The council said its erection depends on the availability of granite to extend the path. A spokesperson said a contractor has been appointed to carry out the work and expects to complete it “this side of the summer”.
The canopy was erected around 1900 and was manufactured by the Saracen Ironworks in Scotland. Heritage Engineering later bought the old foundry.
It was restored by experts at the Glasgow firm.
ANNE-MARIE WALSH
@Lotts wrote:
Hsince it was severely damaged after a truck backed into it in 2004.
Ah yes back in the days when trucks used to drive thru the city :rolleyes:
Good call Lotts I was wondering what was happening here.
@Lotts wrote:
The delay is being blamed on the lack of granite in the city.
Is that a lack of original granite, or a lack of the white stuff?:rolleyes:
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