Aldborough House on Portland Row, Dublin. It is one of the city’s most significant Georgian mansions. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Aldborough House was in State ownership throughout the 20th century until it was sold in 1999 to the Irish Music Rights Organisation for use as its headquarters. Five years ago Reliance Investments Ltd, a company associated with machinery hire firm Pat O’Donnell and Company, was granted permission to develop the house for offices and construct two new five-storey “office wings” in its grounds despite criticism of the scheme by the Department of Heritage and conservation organisations.
“If the project outcomes were anchored in issues such as societal change, reduction in crime, raising of confidence in the region, opening up a gateway for further development in the north inner city and the restoration of an important protected structure, perhaps there would be funding available.”