12.5 - Policies and Objectives

CU1

Shared Vision for Culture

To lead and support the development of a shared vision for culture in the city in collaboration with cultural institutions and other cultural bodies in recognition of their key role and contribution to the cultural life of the city.

CU2

Cultural Infrastructure

To ensure the continued development of Dublin as a culturally vibrant, creative and diverse city with a broad range of cultural activities provided throughout the city, underpinned by quality cultural infrastructure.

CU3

Dublin UNESCO City of Literature

To promote the vision of Dublin UNESCO City of Literature as a “City of Words”, and to support investment in expanded and upgraded cultural infrastructure that supports this vision.

CU4

Cultural Resources

To support the development of new and expanded cultural resources and facilities within the city that enrich the lives of citizens and visitors, provide new opportunities for engagement and celebrate aspects of our history and culture.

CU5

Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 - 2027

Support the planned upgrade and investment in national cultural institutions within the city as outlined in Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 - 2027; including the new collections and Learning Centre at IMMA, Collins Barracks, The National Library, National Archives, Natural History Museum, IMMA, National Concert Hall and the Chester Beatty Library and other projects proposed during the lifetime of the Development Plan.

CU6

Abbey Theatre

Support the expansion of the Abbey Theatre to the Liffey to create an upgraded and expanded venue that contributes positively to the culture of the city and provides the Abbey with a distinctive, visible new context that contributes positively to the Liffey Quays.

CUO1

Museum of Dublin

To undertake a study to identify public and private collections that contribute to the story of Dublin’s social and cultural history, and consider the feasibility of a dedicated Museum of Dublin where all these collections may be curated for public display.

CUO2

Dublin Fire Brigade Museum

That Dublin City Council as soon as practicable undertake a study to identify a viable, appropriately scaled, permanent location for the Dublin Fire Brigade Museum currently housed in the O’Brien Institute.

CUO3

Dublin Music Resource Centre and Museum

In recognising the significant musical tradition in Dublin, the City Council will undertake a study to inform the creation of a Dublin Music Resource Centre and Museum that can provide facilities and opportunities for engagement with music for all, with particular focus on engaging and encouraging under represented and socially excluded people within the city.

CUO4

Chatham Row

To work to deliver a new cultural resource in the former Conservatory of Music and Drama at Chatham Row, that will provide new spaces for cultural engagement within the city centre.

CUO5

Cultural Forum

To work to establish a Cultural Forum for Dublin, led by Dublin City Council and working with other cultural partners.

CUO6

Arts and Culture Infrastructure

To work with the Arts Office in developing an Arts and Culture Infrastructure policy document for the city that informs the preparation of audits, use of vacant spaces and toolkits for provision of cultural and arts facilities.

CU7

Cultural Clusters and Hubs

To support existing, and encourage the growth of, emerging cultural clusters and hubs within the city, which bring together cultural activities interlinked with supporting uses (such as restaurants, retail, galleries and venues) to create vibrant, defined cultural quarters and communities within the city that give a variety of cultural experiences to all.

CU8

South Georgian Quarter Cultural Hub

To support the role of the South Georgian Quarter as a cultural hub of national significance and to support the growth and use of buildings within the area for cultural, heritage and artistic purposes.

CU9

Parnell Square and North Inner City Cultural Cluster

To promote and support the growth of the Parnell Square and North Inner City cultural cluster to facilitate opportunities that provide benefits both to the wider City and to the economic growth and regeneration for the NEIC that supports artists, mitigates social exclusion and increases opportunities for expression and artistic engagement for the diverse local community and in particular, young people.

CUO7

City Library

To deliver a world class new City library and cultural resource centre at Parnell Square alongside a significant upgrade of the public realm of Parnell Square to provide an attractive and appropriate setting for the high number of cultural facilities on the Square.

CUO8

Poetry Ireland

To support the vision of Poetry Ireland to create a new all-island cultural resource at 11 Parnell Square, including library, exhibition space, performance and ancillary facilities.

CUO9

14-17 Moore Street

To support the preservation and restoration of the  historic terrace 10-25 Moore Street and adjacent yards and lanes, and the remaining historic built heritage of the street, including numbers 1-8 Moore Street, and the establishment of a commemorative visitor centre, as a fitting tribute to the men and women of Easter 1916 and as an educational and cultural resource centre and taking account of the contents and relevant recommendations of the Moore Street Advisory Group Report, OPW and other stakeholders including the response of the Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform.

CUO10

Convent and Magdalene Laundry Building on Sean Mc Dermott St.

To support opportunities for suitable and appropriate development of this site that incorporates the government proposal for a National Centre for Research and Remembrance, alongside provision of a mix of uses including residential, community/cultural and educational uses.

CUO11

Markets & Capel Street

To retain existing and seek the development of new community, arts and entrepreneur led arts and cultural initiatives within the Markets Area of the City and to support this area developing an identity as a vibrant cultural hub within the city core.

CUO12

Cultural Spaces in Dublin 8

To deliver a number of new cultural spaces and artists workspaces in the Dublin 8 area, including the renovation of Kilmainham Mills and the establishment of the Creative Campus space.

CUO13

Heritage Network and Trail

Support the establishment of a heritage network and trail from the Dubline route through to Kilmainham, Inchicore Works, Goldenbridge and Bluebell, supported by improved public realm, connections and restoration of the Camac River, which celebrates the rich history of this district.

CUO14

Dublin 8 Regeneration

To ensure that the wider regeneration of Dublin 8 contributes to the cultural assets of the community with new spaces provided at street level in larger regeneration projects that will accommodate and provide for new local cultural uses.

CUO15

Museum/Heritage Facility at Inchicore Works

To support CIE in any future proposal to provide a transport museum/heritage facility at Inchicore Works and seek that any new development at or proximate to the Works is sensitive to the industrial heritage of this area.

CU10

Temple Bar Cultural Hub

To support the role of Temple Bar as cultural hub within the south city and to prevent the erosion of the range of cultural and artist facilities and spaces and protect these for continued cultural purposes.

CUO16

Planning Applications within Temple Bar

Require that all planning applications within Temple Bar that are in proximity to or that are deemed to directly impact on cultural or artistic facilities, must demonstrate how any such planned development will not erode or restrict the functioning of such spaces.

CUO17

Variety and Diversity of Retail of Temple Bar

To seek to protect the variety and diversity of retail of Temple Bar which gives this hub its distinctive character.

CUO18

Temple Bar as a Mixed Use Cultural Quarter

To seek to maintain the role of Temple Bar as a mixed use cultural quarter and avoid the concentration of particular uses and retail facilities which would re-inforce particular activities in the area to the detriment of the cultural, residential and social functions of the area. There will be a presumption against further expansion of floor space for licenced premises, or the sale of food or alcohol for consumption off the premises, and any application will have to demonstrate how such expansion will not have a detrimental impact on the character of the area. Any further expansion of restaurant floor space will be assessed on a case by case basis and will also be required to demonstrate how such an expansion will not have a detrimental impact on the character of the area.

CUO19

Gallery of Photography and the Irish Film Institute (IFI)

To support the expansion of the IFI and associated Irish Film Archive to create additional cultural offering for the City and to support the exploration of the possibility of a Museum and Archive of Irish Film; and to support the identification of a new space for the Gallery of Photography to meet the needs of this cultural facility.

CUO20

Artistic Spaces

To protect key artistic spaces within Temple Bar that provide the basis of Temple Bar’s cultural infrastructure and to ensure that any changes of use to such buildings continue to deliver artistic spaces or similar cultural uses.

CUO21

LGBT+ Community

To build upon the strong connection between the Temple Bar Quarter and environs and the LGBT+ community and (i) seek to preserve and enhance key cultural spaces within the area that serve the community and (ii) undertake a feasibility study in relation to a new dedicated Museum and Cultural Centre dedicated to Irish Queer history and LGBT+ rights

CU11

Cultural Facilities within Docklands

Support and encourage the growth of cultural facilities within Docklands to include the Poolbeg Peninsula, at community and citywide scale, to enrich the area, generate activity and economic benefits and celebrate the maritime heritage of the Docklands area.

CUO22

Implementation of the North Lotts and Grand Canal Dock SDZ and Poolbeg West SDZ Requirements

Support the implementation of the North Lotts and Grand Canal Dock SDZ and Poolbeg West SDZ requirements regarding the provision of new spaces for arts and cultural uses as part of larger regeneration developments.

CUO23

Poolbeg Hotel, Harbour and Power Station Complex

Support the development of the historic Poolbeg hotel, harbour and power station complex for an innovative cultural enterprise that will provide a sustainable future for these historic riverside buildings and provide a range of new facilities for this area of the city.

CU12

Cultural Spaces and Facilities

To grow the range of cultural spaces and facilities in tandem with all new developments and across existing developments such as in basement or roof-top spaces where suitable to meet the needs of an increased population within the city.

CU13

Protection of Cultural Uses

To protect cultural uses within the city that have been negatively impacted by the Covid pandemic and seek to preserve such spaces so they are not lost to the city as a result of the economic impact of the extended closure during the pandemic.

CU14

Cultural Uses in Developments on Former Industrial Lands

To ensure new developments on former industrial lands incorporate cultural uses (including night-time entertainment space designed to minimise impact on residential areas) as part of new mixed use communities.

CU15

Cultural Uses in the Design and Uses of Side Streets

To encourage the rejuvenation of quieter urban streets by the inclusion of cultural uses both in the design and uses of side streets.

CU16

Temporary Use for Cultural Provision

To facilitate the temporary use of underused sites or buildings for artistic or cultural provision.

CU17

Design of Cultural and Arts Facilities

To promote a co-design approach to cultural and arts facilities and that applicants and developers consider the Toolkit guide for artform specific workplace to inform the design of such spaces.

CUO24

Masterplans

Masterplans or statutory plans prepared for lands over 2 hectares that were previously zoned for industrial purposes and are now identified for mixed use must include dedicated locations at the design stage for cultural uses and details as to how any existing cultural uses within the area can be accommodated as part of a wider regeneration.

CUO25

SDRAs and large Scale Developments

All new regeneration areas (SDRAs) and large scale developments above 10,000 sq. m. in total area* must provide at a minimum for 5% community, arts and culture spaces including exhibition, performance, and artist workspaces predominantly internal floorspace as part of their development at the design stage. The option of relocating a portion (no more than half of this figure) of this to a site immediately adjacent to the area can be accommodated where it is demonstrated to be the better outcome and that it can be a contribution to an existing project in the immediate vicinity. The balance of space between cultural and community use can be decided at application stage, from an evidence base/audit of the area. Such spaces must be designed to meet the identified need.

*Such developments shall incorporate both cultural/arts and community uses individually or in combination unless there is an evidence base to justify the 5% going to one sector. 

CUO26

Demolition or Replacement of a Use of Cultural Value

Where applications are made seeking to demolish or replace a cultural space/use, the development must re-accommodate the same or increased volume of space/use or a similar use within the redevelopment. Cultural uses include theatres, cinemas, artist studios, performance spaces, music venues, nightclubs, studios and dance space.

CUO27

Toolkit Guide to Workspace

The Council will publish a “toolkit” for developers and other stakeholders giving a guide to the spatial requirements of artform specific workspaces to inform the design process and ensure viable arts and cultural spaces are provided.

CUO28

Reuse of Vacant Space

The City Arts Office, in partnership with the Planning Department, continue its role as broker between owners of unused premises and landowners in encouraging the uptake of such spaces for artistic and cultural purposes for both short and longer term.

CUO29

Performing Arts Venue

To undertake a feasibility study to assess the need for; and the possible form and scale of a new performing arts space (and ancillary spaces) within the inner city and the options for achieving successful implementation.

CUO30

Co-Design and Audits

Large development applications (over 10,000 sq. m., either in phases or as one application) will, in the absence of a DCC local area culture audit (CUO44 refers), be required to undertake a cultural audit for the local area to identify shortcomings within the area; and to work with DCC Arts Office to identify and agree appropriate arts or cultural uses, preferably as part of a co-design process in advance of lodging an application, for inclusion in the development. Such audits shall be informed by the existing cultural mapping resources in the Dublin City Cultural Infrastructure Study and by Culture Near You maps.

CUO31

Artist Workspaces

To further develop and provide for artist work spaces and spaces for creative production within the city and avail of opportunities for utilising underused buildings within communities for artistic and cultural purposes.

CUO32

Artist Live-Work Space

To support the development of a feasibility model and pilot project for provision of artist live-work space during the lifetime of the Development Plan and to seek to provide a clear community benefit as part of the project.

CU18

Music as a Key Cultural Asset

To support music as a key cultural asset of Dublin City and seek the retention and expansion of venues and facilities that allow for expression and experience of music in a wide variety of forms to enhance the cultural life of the city.

CUO33

Music Rehearsal Spaces

To seek opportunities to include facilities for music rehearsal spaces within communities to enable and encourage more people to engage with music, with a particular focus on young people.

CUO34

Industrial Estate Regeneration Areas

All large scale mixed use former industrial estate regeneration areas (over 10 ha) in the city shall include at least one studio/rehearsal space and/or venue.

CUO35

Music Venues

To encourage the development of new music and dance venues at accessible locations that will provide opportunities for music artists to perform and spaces for people to experience music at a range of venue sizes.

CU19

Audio-Visual Sector

Support the growth of the audio-visual sector within Dublin and to promote Dublin as a location for film and series production to provide employment opportunities, showcase the city and provide new artistic opportunities to all within the city.

CUO36

Audio-Visual Sector

To support the growth of the audio-visual sector within the city, and the continued growth of the existing clusters in Dublin 8 and Dublin 2 and the emerging cluster in Dublin 7, including encouraging start-up space provision.

CUO37

Audio and Visual Community Spaces

To work with local stakeholders to seek the delivery of audio and visual community spaces such as community radio studios and recording spaces across the city suburbs and where the opportunity arises. To seek to integrate provision for cinema events space within urban villages by ensuring that the design of future community facilities can accommodate cinema events.

CU20

Cultural Activities in the Evening

To support the growth in cultural activities within the city and to encourage cultural institutions and amenities within the city to operate into early evening time on a regular basis, and to explore the development of more regular evening cultural experiences on a pilot basis.

CU21

Night Time Economy Taskforce Report

To be guided by the recommendations set out in the National Night Time Economy Taskforce Report 2021 and to seek that Dublin is selected as a pilot for the creation of a Night Time Advisor and stakeholder committee.

CU22

Range of Cultural and Amenity Options

To seek and encourage a range of cultural and amenity options for residents and visitors within the city that are independent of licenced premises to allow options for younger people, families, elders and others to engage and enjoy a range of activities in the city during evening hours.

CU23

Performance and Entertainment Spaces

To protect and support Dublin city’s cultural assets by facilitating the enhancement and/or growth of existing cultural spaces, including performance and entertainment spaces, while protecting the existing amenities of an area.

CUO38

Noise Impacts

All applications for short or longer term residential proposals (including hotels) that seek permission adjacent to established late night uses such as nightclubs/music venues/public houses/comedy clubs, shall be required to demonstrate in their application, how, firstly through the use of good design and layout; and secondly, through increased sound insulation; they have ensured their development will not cause negative impacts on the adjoining uses in the future.

*See also Policy CCUV36

CUO39

Purpose Built Spaces for Evening and Night Time Activities

To encourage the opportunity presented by new larger developments, including a requirement for all new large hotels* and aparthotels*, within the city to provide high quality, designed for purpose spaces that can accommodate evening and night time activities, such as basement/roof level “black box” spaces that can be used for smaller scale performances/theatre/music/dance venues, and/or for flexibility in the design of larger spaces, such as conference spaces, to be adaptable for evening and night-time uses.

*Over 100 bedrooms

CUO40

Victorian and Edwardian Public Houses

To protect Dublin’s unique heritage of Victorian and Edwardian public houses as a central part of the city’s cultural offer, and resist changes of use that would result in the loss of such premises from their traditional role where they are open to public use.

CUO41

Music and Dance

To recognise the cultural value of a thriving club and dance scene for all music types and audiences to the City and to the night time economy; and to support and protect existing club venues and the future growth and development of such facilities as a distinct part of the cultural life of the City.

CUO42

Street Art

To continue to support Street Art as an Art Form in the city and to commission new street art at agreed locations to enliven the city and to address areas subject to tagging and vandalism and to support the use of construction hoardings as locations for new installations.

CUO43

Canvas Spaces

To pilot “canvas” spaces to support street art at agreed locations (including construction hoarding) and to establish legal walls in the city in support of developing street art through free painting and to look to establish pilot “canvas” spaces for a rotating programme of street art through free painting that can bring high quality installations to be seen by many in the city and add to Dublin’s attractiveness.

CU24

Civic Arts and Cultural Spaces in Urban Villages

To seek to deliver new civic arts and cultural spaces in urban villages across the city in areas where there is a deficit and to prioritise such areas for investment.

CU25

Libraries

Support the expansion and growth of libraries as key community and cultural assets within communities; including in providing key spaces for communities to use for cultural and arts events, music, classes, history and experiences and services for people experiencing unemployment including job seeking skills and online learning and training.

CUO44

Cultural and Artistic Space Audit

To aim to undertake during the life of the development plan, an audit and implementation plan for each Electoral Area of the Council to assess the current and future needs with regard to cultural and artistic spaces, (including music) and to set a series of actions, policy tools and initiatives to address identified shortfalls.

CUO45

Buildings within Communities for Arts and Cultural Spaces

To seek to acquire buildings of merit within communities that can become important arts and cultural spaces; and give a new purpose to local buildings with heritage value and to promote the expansion of cultural uses within existing spaces, particularly within buildings in public ownership.

CUO46

Inclusivity

To support greater inclusivity as part of the cultural experience and to support adaptation to existing facilities to address existing shortcomings. To support initiatives and investments in arts and cultural spaces that aim to promote increased cultural engagement for minority groups, people with disabilities, young people, socially excluded, members of the Travelling community and LGBTQ+ community members.

CUO47

Accessibility

To encourage people of all abilities and ages including wheelchair users to take part fully in the city's culture as consumers, creators, artists and workers by supporting a high standard of accessibility in new and existing cultural assets.

CUO48

Multilingualism Community Infrastructure

To promote the development and provision of multilingualism community infrastructure across the city and to provide for the needs of groups promoting multilingualism within communities.

CU26

Irish Language

To continue supporting Gaeilge as part of our identity and as a living language within the city and to promote Irish language and culture through policy and actions.

CU27

Traditional Arts

To support the traditional arts within the city including music, dance and sports and to support key language and cultural investment projects in the city. DCC supports the UNESCO recognition sought for Irish cultural heritage elements, including hurling, harping and piping which have already achieved protection.

CUO49

Dublin Gaeltacht

To support the promotion of the Irish language and support initiatives to establish Irish language network areas/ “Dublin Gaeltacht” in Dublin; and the implementation of Dublin City Council’s initiative Baile Átha Cliath le Gaeilge to increase the opportunities and space for people to use and learn.

CUO50

Irish Medium Education

To continue to engage with Department of Education and Skills to support the growth in Irish medium education and to work with Department in providing facilities to meet demand within the city.

CUO51

Na Píobairí Uilleann

To seek the delivery of the planned extension to na Píobairí Uilleann on Henrietta St. to provide a new cultural/performance space within the North Inner City for traditional music and dance.

CUO52

Key Venues and Cultural Facilities

To protect important key venues and cultural facilities (both public and private) within the city that give space for the expression of traditional music, song and dance. Where proposals for redevelopment of such spaces are made, the applicant will be required to address how these uses will be accommodated.

CUO53

Irish Language on Shopfronts

To support and identify funding for the use of the Irish language on shopfronts, having regard to the principles set out in Dublin City Council’s ‘Shop-font Design Guidelines’ and Chapter 15.

CUO54

Naming of New developments

To ensure that all new developments are named in the Irish language only, to redress the historic under-representation of Irish language names in the City; whilst also reflecting the rich diversity of history and origins of place names and townland names within Dublin and also names that are reflective the social history of each place. All place names installed for new streets or estates must be bi-lingual.

CU28

Promotion of Irish Language

To promote the growth and use of Irish within Dublin City and the provision of opportunities and space for people in Dublin to learn.

CUO55

Dublin City Language and Cultural Hub

To promote and support the development of a flagship Dublin City Language and Cultural Hub on Harcourt Street as outlined in the National Development Plan 2021-30 and Project Ireland 2040.

CUO56

Irish Language Quarter

To promote and support the development of an Irish language quarter and to seek a designation in the south City area focussed around the Harcourt St. area as an Irish Language Network. To explore the opportunities for supporting greater use of the Irish language within selected urban villages within the city.

CU29

Public Realm for Cultural Events

To encourage greater use of the public realm for cultural events to make the inner city and urban villages more attractive to those with young families for both day and night time events, and to seek provision of new public spaces for outdoor performance that are designed and fitted to host a range of events.

CU30

Life Worth Living Taskforce

To seek to adapt and expand the range of public spaces in the city that can host cultural and events activities to allow for increased and more inclusive public engagement with culture and the arts.

CUO57

Percent for Arts Scheme

To seek that all significant scale public projects within the city should make use of the Percent for Arts Scheme, particularly those which will provide new public realm and to require new public buildings of significance to include art work as part of their development.

CUO58

Public Art

All large scale regeneration schemes, whether lodged for planning as a single or multiple applications; where the total scale of regeneration exceeds 25,000 sq. m. shall be required to include an element of public art.

CUO59

Commemorative Art and Monuments

When commissioning commemorative art or monuments that consideration is given to increasing the representation of women and minorities.

CUO60

Broadstone Plaza

To undertake a study to examine the potential of utilising the Broadstone Plaza for hosting public events and markets and to explore opportunities to work with TU Dublin, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Grangegorman Development Agency in developing new opportunities for public events in the area.