Designs soon to be invited for Abbey in Docklands

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Archiseek / Ireland / News / 2005 / September 5

An international architectural competition is to be held for the design of a new Abbey Theatre in Dublin's Custom House Docks, with the aim of producing a cultural "icon" for the 21st century, The Irish Times has learned. According to well-placed sources, a memorandum on the project - now anticipated to cost €150 million - is in the final stages of preparation and will be presented to the Cabinet shortly by Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue. The groundwork for the memorandum is being done by the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has been advising the Minister on alternative locations for a new Abbey Theatre for the past three years. It is known that billionaire financier Dermot Desmond suggested the Custom House Docks as an option. Mr Desmond had plans to develop a multi-storey glazed "ecosphere" in George's Dock, but failed to win Government support.

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