Minutes:
The Director of City Regeneration and Development provided the Committee with an update on a number of workstreams in relation to the Assembly Rooms Cluster.
The Committee was advised that funding from the World Monuments Fund (WMF), which was announced in February, 2026, had assisted in progressing works including the development of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the Assembly Rooms; façade, window treatment and painting; interpretative signage and public realm improvements; and roof repairs. It was reported that the ongoing work would form part of a wider range of works to enhance the physical building and its environs in advance of the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
In respect of next steps and the future use of the Assembly Rooms Cluster, the Committee was provided with an update on recent Party Group briefings. It was recommended to the Committee that, following the feedback received from those briefings and in advance of future reports to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee and the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, further consideration would be given by Party Group Leaders, at its meeting in June, 2026, on the next stages for determining the future use of the Assembly Rooms, the development and funding strategy, and the potential for a soft market testing exercise in relation to the assets adjoining the Assembly Rooms. The Committee was advised that those matters would subsequently be brought back to either Committee as appropriate. It was highlighted that the draft text for the interpretative panels would also be submitted to Party Group Leaders.
In addition to the update provided, the Committee also considered a request for the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson to attend a WMF reception in the City Hall in September, 2026, as part of WMF’s Escapade event.
The Committee:
i. noted the update on the activity to date, and the planned activity, in relation to the Assembly Rooms Cluster, which included repainting and façade treatment to the Assembly Rooms, a Conservation Management Plan, roof repairs, interpretative signage panels and works to improve the immediate environs in advance of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann;
ii. noted the update on the recent Party Group briefings and agreed that, in advance of future reports to City Growth and Regeneration Committee and the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, further consideration would be given by Party Group Leaders, at its meeting in June, 2026, on the next stages for determining the future use of the Assembly Rooms, development and funding strategy and the potential for a soft market testing exercise in relation to the assets adjoining the Assembly Rooms;
iii. noted that those matters would subsequently be brought back to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee and the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee as appropriate to consider the funding applications in the context of a strategic approach to funding for Council heritage projects, including the potential for the use of the Regeneration Framework, as previously agreed by the Council;
iv. noted that the draft text for the interpretative panels would be brought to the Party Group Leaders; and
v. agreed that the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson, or their nominees, would attend the World Monuments Fund reception in the City Hall as part of the Escapade event on Thursday 17th September, 2026.