An appeal to An Bord Pleanála against a decision to refuse permission for a hotel at Dublin’s Cobblestone Pub has been withdrawn. The pub in Smithfield is known for its traditional music sessions and support for the arts.

Marron Estates’ appeal against Dublin City Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a hotel At Dublin’s Cobblestone pub has been withdrawn. The appeal was submitted in January, and a decision was due this month.

Dublin is Dying posted a picture of a letter they received from Dublin City Council today stating that the appeal had been willingly withdrawn followed by a post cautiously celebrating. Today the Irish public has won this battle in an ongoing series of skirmishes against the commodification of Irish culture.

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Labour Councillor Joe Costello described it as ‘good news’ and thanked all those involved.

Good news in this morning's post! The appeal to @anbordpleanala against @DubCityCouncil decision to Refuse Permission for hotel at @CobblestoneDub has been withdrawn. Well done to all involved in the campaign
We need to protect & nurture our City's cultural spaces#PeoplePower pic.twitter.com/DsHl4rxZth

— Joe Costello (@JoeCostelloIE) April 29, 2022

DCC previously stated that the original nine-storey over-basement development “would be overbearing and significantly out of scale and character with the prevailing architectural context, and would represent substantial over-development of this highly sensitive site”.

On 1 October 2021, Marron Estates made a planning application for a hotel on a site at 77-80 King Street North ( 77 being The Cobblestone pub). However, after public outrage and protests on 25 November 2021, Dublin City Council refused permission for the development. 

A total of 717 objections were lodged against the scheme. Still, the victory of saving The Cobblestone was short-lived as Marron Estates Ltd lodged a first-party appeal against the decision to refuse planning permission in December.

The removal of the backroom area of the Cobblestone was a controversial component of the original scheme and was also a specific ground of refusal by DCC. The council said the loss of the back room, which is used for teaching, rehearsal, and performance of trad music, would significantly decline the capital’s culture.

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