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Tall order for Dublin chimneys

Thursday, 13 March 2008

WHILE they may have initially been considered ugly, generations of Dubliners have come to love them.
They are the first recognisable structures many a returning emigrant associates with home when approaching Dublin Port.
They have also featured in numerous postcards, a very famous Guinness ad, but perhaps their most important cameo appearance came when they featured in U2s ‘Pride In The Name Of Love’ music video.
They are, of course, the iconic ESB Poolbeg chimneys, which Dublin City Council this week decided not to place on their Record of Protected Structures.
Following a request from Cllr Dermot Lacey (Lab) to have the famous landmarks placed on the protected record the city planners conducted a survey, history and full assessment of the chimneys.
They concluded from this that while the Poolbeg chimneys are considered to be of a certain level of architectural, social and historical significance, they are not considered to be of sufficient value within the meaning of the Planning and Development Act, 2000.
Cllr Lacey said he was happy that while they were not put on the record for the moment they may be protected at a later stage.
“I’m happy with the fact that the issue has now been highlighted,” said Cllr Lacey. “The amount of research that has gone into the chimneys and their history in recent months will not be wasted and if it is the case that the ESB lands at Poolbeg are sold at some future date we will be in a far better position to look at putting them on the protected record then.”
The twin red and white chimneystacks measure 680 feet in height and were constructed in two phases between 1969 and 1977.
They form one component of a complex of late 20th century industrial structures relating to the production of electricity.
According to Patricia Hyde, Dublin City Council senor planner, the chimneys are functional industrial structures similar to others of this era.
However, they are not exemplars of a building style or type but are considered to be of some architectural interest as structures which, due to their height and location, have become prominent landmarks in Dublin Bay.
“The chimneys are located in a highly industrial area of Dublin Bay but their height means that they have become part of the Dublin skyline visible from many parts of the city and also the Wicklow Mountains,” said Ms Hyde. “However, its present prominence will be diminished by upcoming developments in the docklands area. The chimneys are of social interest as they have over the past 30 years become a focus of sentiment to the local community around Dublin Bay.”
Ms Hyde added that their significance is part of a grouping/setting of associated industrial buildings rather than in isolation. However, in isolation they are not considered to be of sufficient value within the meaning of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 and therefore should not be added to the Record of Protected Structures.
City planners recommended that the whole complex be reassessed on the cessation of electricity generation at the present Poolbeg station in order to carry out an overall assessment.

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