Paschal Donohoe, the Minister in charge of Public Expenditure has voiced his belief that the renowned GPO building, located on O’Connell Street, may be instrumental in the revitalisation and advancement of Dublin’s city centre. The Minister, who serves as a TD for the local area, expressed his desire to address the position and future of this historic building.
The GPO, famously associated with the Easter Uprising in 1916, previously served as the head office of An Post and is classified as one of Dublin’s primary post offices. Referring to the future of the building and its role on O’Connell Street and the city centre, Donohoe commented that it has the potential to contribute to the enhancement of O’Connell Street.
While addressing the potential of the GPO, Donohoe commented that he was willing to entertain creative suggestions regarding the building’s future use. He made these remarks during an event at The Depot, an arts venue situated at The Complex near Smithfield in Dublin. The Minister admired how the building, once a fruit storage warehouse, had been transformed into a hub for the arts.
With an impending report on the city centre’s public realm, safety, and experiences from the government’s taskforce, Donohoe revealed that there are obvious hurdles that still exist within the city centre. Despite this, he was convinced of Dublin’s ongoing development and improvements. Acknowledging the exceptional work at The Depot at the Complex, he lamented the lack of awareness about its existence despite being located in central Dublin.
“However, achieving something along these lines merely forms a fraction of the answer to our quest of creating a city that is not only magnificent to dwell in, but also a prime destination for tourists and locals to explore. Yes, we are yet to reach our desired position in this regard, nonetheless, I believe we are on the right path to attain it. In this journey, the assessment provided by David McRedmon will play a pivotal role.”