Bilateral Meeting Advances New European Bauhaus Collaboration in Ireland

Dublin, Ireland — March 26, 2026 — A high-level bilateral meeting was held today at 58 William Street South, Dublin 2, bringing together key Irish stakeholders and European Commission representatives to discuss the ongoing development and implementation of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative in Ireland.

The meeting welcomed Elena Montani, Head of the New European Bauhaus Unit at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. She was joined by Donough Cahill, Executive Director of the Irish Georgian Society, and Nicki Matthews, National Contact Point for the New European Bauhaus at the National Built Heritage Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), alongside a range of national stakeholders engaged in NEB-related activity.

The session commenced with a formal welcome and introductions, followed by a roundtable discussion where participants outlined their involvement with the New European Bauhaus and shared perspectives on its impact and potential within Ireland.

A central focus of the meeting was an update from Elena Montani on the progress of the NEB across Europe and its future direction. The discussion highlighted the initiative’s ambition to connect sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion in shaping Europe’s built environment and communities.

Irish stakeholders also presented on the implementation of NEB principles at a national level. Contributions from Nicki Matthews (policy) and Philip Cheasty (research and innovation) showcased key developments, including:

• The EDAP/ECAP Programme and the forthcoming Adaptation & Reuse Conference 2026
• The Dublin Declaration and its role in establishing a NEB Local Chapter Model
• The ERDF THRIVE funding programme supporting sustainable development initiatives
• The evolving NEB Facility and the dual role of the National Contact Point in policy and research & innovation

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between Ireland and the European Commission in advancing the New European Bauhaus vision.

A group photograph was taken to mark the occasion and acknowledge the continued partnership between European and Irish stakeholders.

All photographs by Justin Farrelly Photgraphy.

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European and Irish Experts Convened in Dublin’s Europe House to Advance Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings

Leading policymakers, architects, and conservation specialists from across Ireland and Europe gathered at Europe House on Friday, 27 March 2026 for a major conference exploring how the adaptive reuse of historic buildings can help address climate change, housing supply, and sustainable development.

Titled “Conserving Ireland’s Architectural Heritage: New Life for Historic Buildings and Places through a Shared Culture of Adaptation & Reuse,” the conference brought together a diverse range of international speakers and Irish practitioners to share best practice, research, and case studies in heritage-led regeneration.

The event was delivered through a partnership between the Irish Georgian Society, the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, the European Commission Representation in Ireland, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s National Built Heritage Service with support from the Office of Public Works and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland. The conference formed part of a broader programme of activity aligned with Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency in July 2026.

Across a full-day programme, speakers explored how adapting and reusing existing buildings can significantly reduce embodied carbon, minimise waste, and contribute to more sustainable, circular construction practices. Presentations also addressed the role of adaptive reuse in unlocking underutilised building stock for housing, revitalising urban centres, and preserving cultural identity.

Sessions highlighted the alignment between heritage reuse and key European policy frameworks, including climate targets for 2050, the EU Affordable Housing Plan, and the principles of the New European Bauhaus — promoting development that is sustainable, inclusive, and of high design quality.

Drawing on a wide range of case studies and professional expertise, contributors emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration — bringing together government, industry, and communities — to overcome regulatory, financial, and technical barriers to reuse.

The conference also underscored the growing momentum behind adaptive reuse as a central strategy in shaping resilient and liveable cities, positioning Ireland as a leader in advancing a shared European approach to conserving and transforming the built environment.

Also the conference, as part of the EU presidency in Ireland, presented a unique moment for built heritage stakeholders to reflect on the opportunity of a shared culture of adaptation & reuse and to consider ‘The Dublin Declaration’, as an appropriate legacy to the conference, a call to action on the theme New Life for Historic Buildings and Places through a Shared Culture of Adaptation & Reuse. For this reason, in her concluding remarks at the conference Charlotte Sheridan tabled for consideration the below tentative Dublin Declaration:

• ‘The Dublin Declaration’, building on the conference outcome and EU policy momentum, will reference the seven guiding principles of the 2024 Krakow Declaration (by ACE, Europa Nostra and ICOMOS), as the basis for future discussion on this theme, namely prioritising renovation and reuse; combining innovation with traditional knowledge; upskilling professionals; co-creation with communities; championing quality in governance and funding; sharing knowledge; and preparing built heritage for future risks.
• ‘The Dublin Declaration’, proposes working with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) concept and the working model of a NEB Local Chapter with the purpose of strengthening NEB community members and wider stakeholder collaboration, sharing knowledge and good practice and developing a culture of adaptation and reuse of built heritage assets, grounded in the NEB values of beautiful, sustainable, together.
• ‘A Dublin Declaration’, proposes working and reporting back within the EU presidency programme on the theme; New Life for Historic Buildings and Places through a Shared Culture of Adaptation & Reuse.

The conference, which was at full capacity, was recorded and the presentations are now available to watch free of charge on the Irish Georgian Society’s YouTube channel.(please see below for the links to watch each of the conference sessions)

The Irish Georgian Society thanks our partners; the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland (Fearghas Ó Béara and Jeremy O'Sullivan), the European Commission Representation in Ireland (Peter Power and Joan Flanagan), and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s National Built Heritage Service (Sarah Waters and Nicola Matthews); supporters, Office of Public Works (Conor Sreenan) and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (Dr Sandra O'Connell), speakers (Nicola Matthews, Olof Martinsson, Morris Conway, Niamh Kiernan, Lar Joye, Graham Bell, Michiel Riedijk, Sarah Woods, Valerie Mulvin, Gerard Carty, Emmett Scanlon, Ciaran O’Brien, Joe Lawrence, Niamh Lunny, Giulia Vallone, Elena Montani, Dr Claudio Gulli, Andrée Dargan, Grainne Shaffrey, Frank Cooney, Colm Doyle, Lisa McVeigh, Shane Nolan, Fionnuala Hayes, Michael Horan) and Chairs (Donough Cahill, Fionnuala Sweeney, Graham Hickey, Angela Rolfe, Michael O’Boyle, Jacqueline Hall and Charlotte Sheridan) for their sharing their expertise.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME YOUTUBE LINKS

• Welcome/Introductory Session
• Fearghas Ó Béara, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland
• Peter Power, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland
• Jacqueline Hall, Chair Irish Georgian Society
  
  
• Session1- Leadership (Chair Donough Cahill, Executive Director, Irish Georgian Society)
• Introduction by Nicola Matthews, Senior Architect National Built Heritage Service in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and National Contact Point New European Bauhaus in Ireland.
• Keynote: Historic places and spaces under transformation–Varvsstaden by Olof Martinsson, Heritage Officer for Malmö (Stadsantikvarie)
• Panellists: Morris Conway, Waterford City & County Council; Niamh Kiernan, Architectural Conservation Officer, Dublin City Council; Lar Joye, Port Heritage Director, Dublin Port Company.

• Session2 - Culture (Chair; Fionnuala Sweeney, Head of Film and Architecture, the Arts Council)
• Introduction by Graham Bell, Europa Nostra Baukultur: an integrated approach to European heritage assets.
• Keynote: Gare Maritime and other projects of transformation, re-imagining existing buildings and places with high quality interventions and materials, distinguishable from the original construction by Michiel Riedijk, founding partner and principal architect, Neutelings Riedijk Architecten
• Panellists: Sarah Woods, Assist. Principal Archt. OPW (National Concert Hall); Valerie Mulvin, Director, McCullough Mulvin Architects (Central Hotel); Gerard Carty, Director, Grafton Architects (Crawford Art Gallery)

• Session 3 -Sustainability (Chair; Graham Hickey, CEO, Dublin Civic Trust and18 Ormond Quay Upper)
  Introduction by Emmett Scanlon, Director, Irish Architecture Foundation
• Keynote: Do “as little as possible but as much as is necessary”: two projects adopting this philosophy in the successful adaptation and reuse of housing and institutional historic structures in Ireland ( Portlaoise Convent and Haulbowline Block 9) by Ciaran O’Brien, Director, O’BFA
• Panellists: Joe Lawrence, Director, Lawrence & Long Architects; Niamh Lunny, CEO, Irish Landmark Trust; Giulia Vallone, RIAI Urban Design Committee/Cork County Council

• Session 4 –Quality (Chair Angela Rolfe, President, ICOMOS Ireland)
• The New European Bauhaus-Beautiful, Sustainable, Together by Elena Montani, Head of Unit, New European Bauhaus Coordination Unit, Joint Research Centre(JRC), European Commission.
• Keynote: Palazzo Butera: a project for Palermo and Europe by Dr Claudio Gulli, Director at Palazzo Butera, art historian and curator.
• Panellists: Andrée Dargan, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Architect (Kelly’s Hotel & Wash House); Grainne Shaffrey, Shaffrey Architects (West Gate House, Drogheda), Frank Cooney, Cooney Architects (Gorey Market House),

• Session 5 - Case Studies (Chair; Michael O’Boyle, RIAI Historic Buildings Committee) *The link to watch Session 5 on YouTube is pending and will be available shortly.
• Former Belfast Bank, Rathmines by Colm Doyle co-presenting, DMVF Architects
• 30 Parnell Square House by Lisa McVeigh, DMVF Architects
• Magazine Fort, Phoenix Park: stabilization & repair works/traditional skills by Audrey Farrell, Senor Architect OPW and Shane Nolan, Managing Director of Nolans Group Conservation & Restoration Ltd.
• Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Deanery Mews: traditional knowledge and innovation by Fionnuala Hayes, Howley Hayes Cooney Architects
• Strokestown Park House and National Famine Museum & Kylemore Abbey by Michael Horan, AXO Architects
  
• Closing Remarks by Charlotte Sheridan, Chairperson of Architecture & Planning Committee, Irish Georgian Society

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The Irish Georgian Society invites applications for its 2026 Architectural and Original Drawing Awards from all Irish architects and architectural practices, building surveyors, contractors, engineers, and other professionals involved in the conservation of historic buildings on the island of Ireland. The mission of the Awards is to encourage excellence in conservation and to celebrate those conservation professionals and practitioners responsible for projects of merit.

There will be two award categories: one for a conservation project and one for an original drawing (non-CAD) relating to an historic building or structure.

Applications concerning historic buildings of all types, including vernacular, are welcome. Previously shortlisted projects have included churches, civic structures, courtyards, and houses both urban and rural. Applications must be received by 12 noon on Thursday 30th April 2026

This year's awards are generously sponsored by Ecclesiastical Ireland with additional funding provided by the IGS London Chapter and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the National Built Heritage Service.

For more information about the awards and to access the application form and instructions click here.

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Previous IGS conservation grant pledges clockwise from top left: Malone Mausoleum, Kilbixy, Co. Westmeath; Fiddown Church, Co. Kilkenny; Dromana Gate, Villierstown, Co. Waterford; and Myrtle Grove, Co. Cork

The Irish Georgian Society is inviting applications for its Conservation Grants Programme 2026 with submissions now accepted until midday Thursday 5th March.

A total of €44,000 will be available which will comprise €30,000 in grants from the Niall Smith Conservation Grants Fund and IGS London, €10,000 through the Homan Potterton Conservation Grant Fund and €4,000 from the IGS Cork Chapter.

Click here to download the application form.

Since 2014 the Irish Georgian Society’s Conservation Grants Programme has supported over 90 conservation projects. These have included country houses, thatched cottages, townhouses, architectural follies, and churches with grants awarded for repairs to roofs, windows and rainwater goods, support for conservation plans and building appraisals, and for other essential conservation works.

For articles on previous grants recipients, please click here.

Decisions on the allocation of grants will be made by mid-April at which time applicants will be informed.

If you have any queries, please email igsconservationgrants@gmail.com

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Lord Mayor Cllr Ray McAdam on the steps of the City Assembly House on Wednesday 12th November where he officially launched the O'Connell 250 study day. Accompanied by Jacqueline Hall, IGS Chairperson; Michael Wall, IGS President; Dan Calley, Ulster Architectural Heritage Chairperson; Emmeline Henderson, IGS Assistant Director & Conservation Manager; Charles Duggan, Dublin City Council Heritage Officer; Scott Hayes, Head of Relationship Management at Ecclesiastical Insurance Office, Ireland; and Donough Cahill, IGS Executive Director. (Photo by Justin Farrelly)

DANIEL O'CONNELL 250: architecture, designed landscapes and visual culture study day, 12th Nov 2025.

On Wednesday 12^th November 2026, the Irish Georgian Society in partnership with Dublin City Council's Heritage Office, and in association with Ulster Architectural Heritage delivered Daniel O’Connell 250: architecture, designed landscapes and visual culture study day.

The study day marked the 250th anniversary of O'Connell's birth, and comprised twelve scholars delivering papers that examined O’Connell’s representation in both life and death in painting, sculpture and caricature; his use of spectacle and symbolism as part of his political strategy; his legacy as manifest in the architecture of the O'Connell Memorial Church in Cahirciveen and the monuments at the cemeteries of Goldenbridge and Glasnevin; how he personally shaped the architecture and designed landscape at his ancestral home at Derrynane, County Kerry; and the ephemera created to celebrate the centenary of his birth in 1875.

By focusing on these understudied aspects of O’Connell’s career and legacy, the study day encouraged new and exciting research, providing scholars with an opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge of one of Ireland’s great national figures.

The study day was generously supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and formed part of the State’s Daniel O’Connell 250^th Commemorative Programme. Additional sponsorship was provided by Ecclesiastical Insurance.

Commencing with a welcome address by IGS Chairperson, Jacqueline Hall, which was followed by the official launch by Lord Mayor Cllr Ray McAdam, who reminded those in attendance that when Daneil O'Connell was appointed Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1842, he was the first Roman Catholic holder of the title since 1688, and in his capacity as Lord Mayor, O'Connell would have debated in the study day's venue, the City Assembly House, which was then the meeting place for Dublin Corporation.

The Society wishes to thank the Lord Mayor for agreeing to launch the study day, as well as all the chairs and speakers who shared their knowledge and expertise. It is now possible to watch all the presentations on the Irish Georgian Society's YouTube channel by clicking on the blue links for each of the four sessions.

Session I: Daniel O'Connell and Dublin Buildings
(Chair: Charles Duggan, Heritage Officer, Dublin City Council)

• O'Connell and Civic Ceremony: symbolism and politics by Professor David Fleming, School of History and Geography in the University of Limerick.
• The Daniel O’Connell funerary monument in Glasnevin cemetery, its design and significance in the cemetery by Dr Jacqueline Hayes, independent scholar.

Session II: Represetations of Daniel O'Connell in Visual and Material Culture
(Chair: Dr Audrey Whitty, Director, National Library of Ireland. Member of State Commemorations Advisory Committee)

• 'An Invasion of Pen and Pencil': Picturing the 1875 O'Connell Centenary by Dr Kathryn Milligan, Assistant Librarian, Edward Murphy Library, National College of Art and Design.
• “Will you let me know how my speech and picture get on?”: The portraiture of Daniel O’Connell by Ben Casey, PhD student at Maynooth University, researching representations of the professions in Georgian Ireland, supported by a Research Ireland Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship.
• Daniel O’Connell in Caricature, 1820-30 by Maurice J. Bric - Emeritus Professor of History, University College Dublin; Director of the annual Daniel O’Connell Summer School
• O'Connell's Funeral, 1847: maps and prints by Dr Joseph Brady, former Professor at UCD's Department of Geography.

Session III & Keynote Address
(Chair: Dan Calley, Chairperson, Ulster Architectural Heritage)

• King Dan: Ireland's Human Rights Campaigner and Dublin's Lord Mayor by Professor Patrick Geoghegan, (keynote speaker), Director of Trinity Long Room Hub, History, TCD, and author of King Dan: the Rise of Daniel O'Connell, 1775-1847 (2008) and Liberator: the Life and Death of Daniel O'Connell, 1830-1847 (2010).
• The Liberator in chains: Daniel O’Connell in Richmond Bridewell, 1844 by Brian Crowley, Curator of Collections for Royal Hospital Kilmainham and the Pearse Museum, OPW.

Session IV - From Derrynane to Dublin: Daniel O'Connell, Memory, and the Irish Cultural Landscape.
(Chair: Donough Cahill, Director, Irish Georgian Society)

• The Lure of Derrynane: the designed landscape of Daniel O’Connell by Victoria McCarthy, independent scholar and Architectural Conservation & Heritage Officer, Kerry County Council.
• The politics of stone and style: the O'Connell Memorial Church in Cahirciveen by Dr Niamh NicGhabhann-Coleman, Associate Professor in the Department of History in University of Limerick.
• O'Meara's Irish House: Pints and Patriotism on Wood Quay by Donal Fallon, public historian, and author of The Dublin Pub: A Social and Cultural History (New Island Books, 2025).

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ACADEMIC FUNDING 2025: Desmond Guinness Scholarship 2025 & John Maiben Gilmartin Award 2025: Open for applications

The Irish Georgain Society is delighted to announce that both our Desmond Guinness Scholarship 2025 and John Maiben Gilmartin Prize 2025 are now open for applications. For information on these awards and how to apply go to www.igs.ie/scholarship or email emmeline.henderson@igs.ie

Please note that the closing deadline is 12 noon, Thursday 20th November 2025.

About the Desmond Guinness Scholarship 2025: Open to applicants who are currently enrolled for a postgraduate research degree either at MA/MPhil or PhD and engaged in research on the visual arts and material culture of Ireland including the work of Irish architects, artists and craftsmen at home and abroad, 1600-1940.

About the John Maiben Gilmartin Prize 2025: Open to early-career scholars who have completed a PhD within the past seven years and are undertaking research in the history of Irish art, architecture and designed landscape, and of culture and society in Ireland of the long eighteenth century.

Left hand image: The Hon. Desmond Guinness (1931-2020) by Amelia Stein. Right hand image: John Maiben Gilmartin, reproduced courtesy of University of Maynooth.

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