“It’s giving colonialism”: Ireland still owes rent to dukes and earls
Although, even though the OPW lists these rents as payable, some of the named beneficiaries say they haven't been getting them.
The council’s current target is to knock and build new social homes on the site in the heart of the south-inner city by early 2028.
“It’s usually disappointing for essentially a state organisation to be sitting on derelict properties. It’s a very bad look.”
Councillors blocked the site’s sale to a developer in 2018, and the council said recently it’s not suitable for use as a park. So what will become of it?
A director of the company that owns them says he’s been trying for years to build homes and an Aldi there.
The council is weighing up its future use, looking for funding to refurbish it as an artist’s studio, a council official has said.
“It’s frustrating to be beside another building that is taking the look off the street,” says Ronan Lynch from the Swan Bar.
Grotto House, on Tyrconnell Road, is now owned by Pathway Homes. A director said the company has plans for the site, but didn’t say what they are.
If it can’t come to an agreement with the owner to buy the property the council will pursue a compulsory purchase order, a council spokesperson said.
It’s been in decline for about two decades. Now, the council is trying to buy it.
Over 25 years, the buildings have emptied and crumbled.
The 18th-century mansion in the north inner-city has been vacant for more than two decades.
Slievecourt DAC got planning permission in 2019 for a 9-storey office building – and another one in August this year.