An artist’s impression of the proposed new Irish Jewish Museum in Portobello, Dublin, which would involve demolishing five houses and building a two-storey-over-basement museum incorporating a cafe, synagogue, archive storage and audiovisual theatre. Credit – The Irish Times
Last year, the Irish Jewish Museum in Portobello, Dublin 8 announced a major development plan which would involve demolishing five houses and building a new two-storey-over-basement museum incorporating a café and synagogue.
(A review from Donal of the fantastic museum can be found here)
However, local residents, councillors and the city council conservation officer have criticised aspects of the plan. Residents are worried about the massive increase in cars and pollution into the area while conservation officer Nicola Matthews, referring to the proposal to demolish and reconstruct the synagogue, said this “façadist approach” would mean “removing the authenticity and real experience of the original site”. Locals are also worried that excavations and pile-driving for the 5.5-metre deep basement could destabilise nearby houses.
Recently a number of posters have appeared on lamposts and in the windows of houses in the area.
This particular poster shows photographs of a large tour group visiting the museum and the related congestion on the narrow streets.
Poster on pole. Credit – Sam
It would appear that someone, perhaps in favour of the development, used black spray paint to cover newspaper articles (in relation to local opposition to the plan) which were fastened on a post box.
An individual has used black spray paint to cover newspaper articles which critised the plan. Credit – Sam
Similar thing again:
Another poster was torn. Credit – Sam
Finally, one example of a large number of houses who have put posters in their front windows:
Front window. Credit – Sam
I have family in the area and they’ve told me that they are both worried about the scale of the planned development and are upset that the anonymous campaign against the development has made no reference in their posters for support for the museum in general.
Let’s just hope that a resolution is found that is agreeable to all parties.
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More on Jewish history from the blog:
- RTE Nationwide special on Dublin Jewish community (January 2013)
- Reactionary murders in Dublin (including two Jewish men killed in 1923)
- Dublin Maccabi Assoication Facebook page
- Burman vs. Alpers court case (1946)
- A look at the Dublin story of ‘Joe Edelstein’s Alarm’ in Little Jerusalem
- James Connolly’s 1902 Yiddish election leaflet translated
- “I am a Jew and I’m quite happy to live in that country” - Robert Briscoe
