‘Our history is not for sale’

Concerns about the possible commercial use of Dublin’s GPO sparked a heated debate in Cork City Hall recently.

The motion to recognise the historical importance of Dublin’s GPO and for “the Government to scrap its plan to turn it into retail units and office space and ensure that this iconic building is kept in full public ownership” was approved by Cork City Council, with 10 votes in favour, 9 against, and 5 abstaining. The motion was proposed by Sinn Féin councillors Michelle Gould, Kenneth Collins and Fiona Kerins.

“If we don’t protect the places that tell our story then we are losing a part of who we are. Turning the GPO into another commercial venue is a betrayal of our cultural memory,” said Cllr Michelle Gould.

“Our history is not for sale,” added Cllr Fiona Kerins.

The motion followed Government-backed proposals to redevelop the GPO into a mixed-use site.

The plan would retain the post office function while adding cultural space, retail units, and offices. The proposals led to a protest outside the GPO in July, organised by Sinn Féin.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Terry Shannon criticised the motion, calling it misleading.

“This is the latest of the fake news,” he said. “Councillor Gould mentioned how it is short-sighted. Maybe she needs to visit Specsavers, because Specsavers have a shop in the GPO.

“So have Clark’s shoes, so has Nourish, so has Pandora Jewellery. There are shops since 1920.

“We don’t need lectures from people who’ve come lately to defending the Republic,” Cllr Shannon added.

Fine Gael Cllr Damian Boylan rejected claims of privatisation: “It is always about the Government, isn’t it?”

Fianna Fáil’s Colm Kelleher added that the GPO would remain in public ownership.

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy said the plans are still unclear. “The proposal is very vague. There is a lack of debate with the people of Dublin and the people of Ireland.

“Imagine if someone came and said we are putting an office block in the heart of this City Hall,” he said.

A 10 year redevelopment plan backed by the Government aims to transform the historic GPO on O’Connell Street into a mixed-use civic landmark. The Government set up the Dublin City Taskforce in May 2024 to rejuvenate the city centre. It was chaired by An Post CEO David McRedmond as an independent chair.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.