Saint Werburgh's Church Part 8 Planning Consultation
Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended)
Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) - Part 8
Applicant: Dublin City Arts Office, Foley Street, Dublin, D01 N5H6, on behalf of Dublin City Council
Location: Saint Werburgh’s Church, Werburgh Street, Dublin, D08 V298
Proposed design of Saint Werburgh's Church (south section)
Proposal:
Pursuant to the requirements of the above, notice is hereby given of intent for redevelopment/repurposing of Saint Werburgh’s Church, Werburgh Street to conserve and restore the church, which is a protected structure. The aim is to reopen the disused building to the public as a vibrant cultural and arts venue while continuing to facilitate occasional religious services. Works will include creating a new entrance to the building from 10 Castle Street, Dublin 8.
The proposal has undergone Appropriate Assessment Screening in accordance with Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and screening for Environmental Impact Assessment under the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU.
In accordance with Article 81 of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001, as amended, the Planning Authority has made a determination and concluded that:
(a) The proposed development, either individually or in combination with other plans and projects, is not likely to have a significant effect on any European site(s) and therefore a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment is not required.
(b) There is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development and that the proposed development is not of a class set out under Schedule 5 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, and therefore does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR).
Any person may, within 4 weeks from the date of publication of this notice, apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.
Phases
Accessible plans and documents
Saint Werburgh's Church
Proposed Redevelopment
Saint Werburgh's Church was founded around 1179. The current building dates mostly from the early 1700s, after a fire in 1754 caused major damage and led to renovations. This church is one of the oldest parish churches in Dublin and one of the last Georgian churches still in use. The interior from the mid-1700s is especially notable, with well-crafted woodwork in the pews and galleries. The richly carved organ and the striking pulpit by sculptor and carpenter Richard Stewart are key features.
The church is an important landmark on Werburgh Street, next to the former parochial school (now Christchurch Deanery) and the graveyard. It has connections to several notable figures, including Lord Edward Fitzgerald, a leader of the United Irishmen, who is buried in the crypt.
The City Council was approached by the Dean of Christchurch Cathedral, who is responsible for Saint Werburgh's, about refurbishing the church and repurposing it as a tourist, cultural, and arts venue. This proposal aims to open the church to the public while still allowing occasional religious services. The repurposed Saint Werburgh's will serve as a destination for tourists and a venue for classical music, choral music, chamber music, organ recitals, poetry readings, lectures, and folk and jazz performances, with minimal amplification to preserve the church's original design.
The Arts Office believes there is a shortage of venues in Dublin for choirs, small orchestras, and chamber music events, as well as other musical performances from traditional to contemporary. The refurbished Saint Werburgh's can help address this shortage, with a capacity of around 250 people. It will need ongoing financial support from the City Council and/or the Arts Council and will generate income through charges and fees.
In return for undertaking the proposed works and taking responsibility for the ongoing maintenance and management of the building, it is proposed that the City Council will take full control of Saint Werburgh's on a lease, with limited access granted to Christchurch Cathedral for services and choir performances free of charge. The details of the lease arrangement will be subject to approval by Dublin City Council Elected Members.
Saint Werburgh's Church is a protected structure along with the attached former Sexton’s House. The intended scheme will include the conservation, restoration and adaptation of both buildings so this will allow for its continued use as a place of worship but also as a tourism venue and performance space for recitation and classical music. The electrical and mechanical systems will be completely upgraded, fire safety measures provided, and welfare facilities improved such as washrooms and rest areas. The former Sexton’s House will be adapted to provide additional space for the congregation and circulation, and a new staff area at first floor level. A new pedestrian access route will be constructed through No. 10 Castle Street.
The proposed works to the church building itself are modest. Minor works will be carried out inside the main entrance, the floor will be repaired, and the interior 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. The conversion of Sexton’s House at the back of the church, together with the construction of a new single-storey glass link section, will provide a reception area, toilet facilities, and backstage areas to support the use of the church space as a venue for performers and visitors. Mechanical and electrical services will be renewed and upgraded, including the installation of a mechanical extract ventilation system above ceiling level. Theatrical lighting and a sound system will also be installed.
Proposed structural interventions include reinforcing the gallery balustrade, repairing the aisle floor, reinforcing the roof structure, repairing and strengthening the chancel walls and east window, widening door openings, strengthening the gallery floor, working on foundations, repairing and strengthening the entrance steps, and laying new separate foul and surface water drainage.
Limited works will also be carried out in the graveyard, as specified in the ‘Draft Conservation Plan for Saint Werburgh's Graveyard.’ Amended Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Reports have been included, showing the proposed access from Castle Street to ensure an accurate appraisal was carried out.
Universal access was recognized as necessary from the outset. However, the steps to the front of Saint Werburgh's are a significant feature of the historic street and inherent to the character and history of the church. Due to the limited space available, the complex form of the steps, and the rise between the street level and the interior of the church, full universal access cannot be provided at the front of the church unless the historic steps are fundamentally remodelled, which would negatively impact on the architectural integrity and urban heritage design of the building.
Initially, a pedestrian access route was proposed from the lane that runs between Castle Street and Little Ship Street to the east of the church site. Because part of the proposed new access route was on OPW land this meant it was subject to approval by them. The OPW had reservations regarding the proposed access arrangements for security reasons because it would require breaking through the historic wall on one side of the laneway. As an alternative, the OPW suggested that access be achieved through a vacant building at No. 10 Castle Street, which is in their ownership. This alternative provides very satisfactory universal access and has been incorporated into the revised design.
Notes from the planners' report received on 4th March 2025 indicate that all documents and drawings should be clearly labelled. All documents and drawings are noted in the drawing schedule, and this system will be extended to cover detailed drawings as they are produced. EIA and AA Screening Reports have been updated and resubmitted to cover the new entrance from Castle Street. A landscaping plan is to be arranged with the Parks Biodiversity and Landscape Services Division, with planting likely in pots due to the reduced cover in the ground over archaeological remains. External lighting will be off the existing buildings to prevent ground penetration. Management of the proposed lane, which is a narrow access point, will likely contain a railed-off area for bins; and this being the main entrance for the public, the design will require detailed consideration.
The Planning Department has considered the revised proposal and indicated that it has no objections to the scheme progressing to Part 8, subject to a number of items which have been addressed. (Part 8 is a public planning process that allows Dublin City Council to carry out certain developments, like housing or infrastructure, following public consultation and council approval, without needing standard planning permission). Subject to the approval of the Committee, it is proposed to proceed with the Part 8 planning process in respect of the proposed development. A report on the planning process will be submitted to the Committee and the Council for a decision in due course.