Dublin City Council has published plans to convert the church to a new culture and arts venue for the city
04.07.25
One of the city’s least known but most interesting and evocative churches is set for a new lease of life as a culture and arts venue.
Dublin City Council, which recently took over the church after it largely ceased being used for services, has now submitted a planning application to undertaken conservation work to the building, reorder its interior to allow a variety of cultural uses and to add a new entrance to the building and its churchyard from 10 Castle Street.
Although a church has been on the site since the 12thC, the current church was first built in 1716-19, to the design of Sir Thomas Burgh (who was also responsible for nearby St Nicholas Within and St Luke’s Church on the Coombe – now called Thomas Burgh House). Following a major fire in 1754 it was rebuilt in 1756-59, to the design of Joseph Jarrett, retaining the principal external walls, but with an entirely new interior and roof. From this time, a lofty tower at the west end was added in stages, but the tower was finally (infamously) removed in 1837, given that it offered an eagle-eye view of the courtyard of Dublin Castle.
The church has a beautiful interior, evocative of the Georgian period, including a beautiful gallery. The highlight of the interiors is a richly carved pulpit, accessed by stairs, which was installed in St Werburgh’s in the 1870s, although it was previously located in the Chapel Royal in Dublin Castle. The interior also includes tombs, memorial plaques, an ornate organ and even historic fire equipment.
Outside and to the rear is a small churchyard. Its most famous internee is Lord Edward Fitzgerald, a scion of the famous Fitzgerald’s of Kildare, who took part in the failed 1798 rebellion.
In more recent years the Church has followed the fate of so many city centre Church of Ireland churches and closed, due to dwindling congregations and funds to maintain the building. The church has had some cultural use, most notably as a music venue during Tradfest.
Dublin City Council, led by the City Arts Office, has now published plans to conserve the building interiors, improve accessibility and add modern facilities to allow more use of the building. A Part VIII process has been commenced and the public is invited to make submissions on the proposals by 28th July via www.engage.dublincity.ie .
