The application includes amendments to the project, originally approved in 2019, which aims to create a physical link between the two institutions.
The latest proposal incorporates the integration of environmental and energy management systems for both buildings, alongside the addition of a new entrance to the library through No. 27, Parnell Square North.
This application comes at a time when Dublin is pursuing regeneration projects across the city under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), of which this project is a part.
A key element of the proposal is the creation of a new connection between the Hugh Lane Gallery, a protected structure, and the new City Library.
To facilitate this, parts of the gallery’s interior, including the stained-glass exhibition space, would be altered, and a corridor linking the two buildings would be built.
The 11,000 square metre project will build a new City Library and various cultural spaces in six restored Georgian houses at 23-28 Parnell Square, along with a new building at the back.
The Georgian houses at No 20 and No 21 Parnell Square will also be redeveloped, and a new public plaza will be created in front of the City Library and The Hugh Lane Gallery.
The new City Library, replacing the current Central Library, is set to become a central feature of the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter.
The Library will feature a contemporary space and a range of cultural facilities, including a music centre, design space, innovation hub, conference area, education centre, café, and exhibition spaces.
Dublin City Council said the works will be closely supervised by a conservation architect to minimise any impact on the gallery’s protected status. Public consultation on the project will be held in the coming weeks.
Work on the site is expected to begin in late 2025, though this timeline could change based on public feedback and the approval process.
The current stage involves internal consultation within Dublin City Council, with a planned public display of the proposal in the Civic Offices and the Hugh Lane Gallery in the coming months.
The council is expected to review public submissions and provide a detailed report by December.
