Dublin City Council begins construction to turn Kilmainham Mill into a “cultural hub”
Dublin City Council begins construction to turn Kilmainham Mill into a “cultural hub”
Words: Ellen Kenny
Construction on the nineteenth century mill begins this week, with plans to transform it into a cultural hub for Kilmainham.
Dublin City Council have begun plans to restore Kilmainham Mill and turn the premise into a cultural space for the Kilmainham area.
The Council are currently in the phase of making the mill safe for development. This work includes removing asbestos, roof repairs and protection of industrial machinery. This phase is expected to take eight months, with the final redevelopments to transform the space happening next summer.
This phase of work is being overseen by Howley Hayes Cooney Architects. They have led other cultural restoration projects such as Carlingford Castle, Grand Canal Harbour, and Merrion Square.
Kilmainham Mill dates back as early as the sixteenth century. It was used as a flour mill in the early nineteenth century, before converting to textile production at the turn of the century. It ceased use as a mill in 2000 and has remained unoccupied since that time.
Dublin City Council acquired the mill in 2018 with the aim of redevelopment, following a campaign from local residents. Locals saved the mill from demolition by promoting the potential tourism opportunities the mill provides Kilmainham.
The Council had to delay plans for restoration in October 2021 due to “labour shortages”.
Some suggestions for the potential cultural hub include museum on the ground floor about the history of craft in the mill and wider Dublin area.
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