Bord Gais Energy Theatre developer Harry Crosbie has made a proposal to develop a new music and festival space in Dublin's Docklands.
Mr Crosbie is proposing a €25 million redevelopment of three dry docks in Ringsend for public use. The area that could be turned into a festival space is Dublin's Graving Docks, also known as City Block 19, which is currently up for sale.
The docks would be remade into an entertainment venue with a capacity twice the size of his Vicar Street venue, a boat repair facility. and a 40,000sq ft open space for markets and festivals. Mr Crosbie told the Irish Times: “This important and beautiful industrial heritage site is owned by the State and the people. It should not be sold off to the highest bidder. They should be restored with uses that allow for public access and local jobs.”
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The highlight of his proposed redevelopment is the music venue which would be able to hold 2,000 people. It would boast a unique style that would drive people to Dublin to attend, with a full line-up of events by Aiken promotions.
For the planned public space, Mr Crosbie has taken inspiration from the Greek agora cities of the past. His proposal letter said this of the space: "This was a place of communal gathering in every town and city. Its use would be monster markets of all kinds, festivals of all kinds. It would be a people magnet, and in constant use."
The third dock would be a boat repair facility. The entrepreneur wants to “re-establish the ancient boat maintenance skills of Ringsend with a full programme of apprentice training”, according to the letter.
However, the site is currently being considered for disposal, so it remains to be seen what will become of it.
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